In Gainesville, the college student population often struggles to afford proper pet care, leading to pets being left behind, unadopted, or surrendered to shelters. To address this issue, Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic aims to make pet care economically accessible through monthly vaccination events at Curia on the Drag coffee shop on Northwest Sixth Street.

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Julia Daggett, a 34-year-old veterinarian and founder of Sweetwater Veterinary Clinic, graduated from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine in 2021. Initially focused on equestrian health, her perspective changed after the illness and eventual death of her cat Zoe, which resulted in veterinary bills reaching $7,000. This experience prompted Daggett to assist low-income pet owners in Connecticut and New York, leading her to expand her focus from horses to all animals. After four years in the Northeast, she returned to Florida with the idea of providing similar services in her community.

“It has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done,” Daggett stated. “Helping people in Gainesville care for their pets while still managing their budgets for housing, food, and leisure is crucial.”

Since launching in November, the clinic's vaccination events have steadily increased in attendance. Prices for vaccinations and microchipping start at $35, with preventive medications at $20 and infectious disease testing from $50, significantly lower than the average $163 pet vaccination cost in Florida, according to RexVet.

April Williams, 43, operations manager at Curia on the Drag, expressed enthusiasm for hosting the events, noting their beneficial impact on both the clinic and the coffee shop's business. While the clinic aspires to hold more events each month, current resources limit their capacity.

Ines Aviles-Spadoni, 57, a research coordinator at UF and social media influencer, is an advocate for Sweetwater, using her Instagram platform to promote the clinic’s services. The next vaccination event is scheduled for July 18 and 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Curia on the Drag.

Aviles-Spadoni emphasized the importance of affordable veterinary care for students, stating, “It’s great because a lot of students don’t have a lot of financial resources yet. Many want pets, which require vaccinations and veterinary care, so Sweetwater’s reduced services are a significant help.”

For more information, contact Mackenzie Haas at [email protected].