Welcome

Caring for Your Pets Like Family

At Family Veterinary Hospital, we prioritize a holistic approach to your pet’s health and happiness, ensuring a complete family experience for pet care and support.

A veterinarian in a mask grooming a cat wrapped in a towel.

Our Commitment

Dedicated to Enhancing Your Pet’s Quality of Life

Wouldn’t it be nice to go to a pet supply store and know that EVERYTHING in the store was personally approved by a veterinarian? No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives in anything. No over the counter remedies that don’t work. When you shop at Family Veterinary Hospital for pet supplies, you get products that are guaranteed or your money back!

A veterinarian and volunteer perform a health check on a dog at a clinic.

Holistic Pet Care

Empowering families to enhance their pet’s well-being through comprehensive veterinary services and personalized support.

Comprehensive Veterinary Services

Focus on Family Inclusion

Holistic Health Approach

Expert Veterinary Team

Quality Pet Products Guaranteed

Our Journey

Experience in Veterinary Excellence

With years of dedicated service, our team at Family Veterinary Hospital has consistently delivered compassionate care and innovative solutions for pets and their families.

Let-lovers Boutique

We have not only the best foods and goods for your pets, but we also have a pet-lovers boutique for human family members! Everything from Dog is Good merchandise to animal-themed charm bracelets and even wildlife photographic art by our own Stan Lewis. If you’re all about the animals like we are, you won’t be able to resist the boutique.

Cute pitbull dog wearing a funny bear headwear, looking upwards against a white studio background.

Family Forever Pet Rescue

Now you can feel even better at shopping at Family Forever Pet Boutique because a portion of the profits go to our non profit organization Family Forever Pet Rescue! We are helping local pets by hosting adoptable animals through local rescues here at the pet store and by helping the local rescues pay for veterinary care for their animals.

Cute black dog with red ribbon in animal shelter, symbolizing hope and rescue.

Veterinarian, Owner

Our Team

Dr. Meghan Ellis
Years in Practice: 7
Education: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, 2008
Interests: Areas of interest: Exotic animal medicine, pain management

Jessica

Years in Practice: 3
I am a Client Services Representative here at Family Veterinary Hospital with responsibility being the first point of contact in our facility, scheduling appointments, and inventory management. Prior to joining the hospital I worked here in the old Fins, Furs, and Feathers for a year, and have been in customer service for over 10 years. I love working with people and animals. I have a beautiful 11 year old girl named Jordan, an amazing 7 year old Boxer named Precious, and a feisty 10 month old Chihuahua named Buster, who occupy most of my free time outside of work.

Amy, RVT

Years in Practice: 25
Education: Associate of Applied Science Veterinary Technology, Central Carolina Community College, 1990
Amy graduated from Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, NC in 1990 with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology. Since graduation, she has worked exclusively in the animal field. With experience in hospitals, shelter, and animal control settings, she has cared for neonates, chased livestock, comforted grieving clients, and assisted in horse rescue and alligator capture, to name a few adventures. She looks forward to getting to know the patients and clients of Family Veterinary Hospital.

Ronda, RVT

Years in Practice: 8
Education: Associate in Applied Science Veterinary Technology, Central Carolina Community College, 2007
I attended Elon University for 3 years for an art degree until deciding to pursue a lifelong interest in animals. I graduated with honors from Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, NC in 2007 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology. Since graduation, I have worked exclusively in the animal field, treating both large and small animals.
At home, I have 7 horses, one pony, a Great Dane, a lab mix, a cat, 3 chickens, and a pet goat named Pablo. Since I have no human children at home yet, I have plenty of 4-legged ones to make up for it! I live in Sampson County, living the country life.

Michelle, RVT

Years in Practice: 8
Education: Associates of Applied Science Veterinary Technology
Michelle is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). She received her formal technician education and training in Washington State. After serving 10 years in the Army, she transitioned to civilian life, where she is pursuing her passion in veterinary medicine. She grew up around horses but enjoys working with any and all animals. Her professional interests include anesthesia and geriatric care, and of course equine medicine. She hopes to pursue a specialty in internal medicine, surgery or pain management. Michelle lives with her amazing husband, awesome son and “their zoo,” which consists of one horse, three dogs, four cats, and one lizard.

Brooke

Years in Practice: 4
Education: 2 years at Pitt Community College
Growing up, I have always had a passion for animals. However it wasn’t until I was actually working in the hospital that I could truly feel the reward of helping animals. There is nothing more special to me than to see a sick patient make a full recovery, or finding a loving home for a pet.

I started off working in my junior year of high school for Dr. Kenny Garrett at the Animal Hospital of Fayetteville. Because of him and his staff, I was exposed to a whole new level of aiding patients. I worked for Dr. Garrett for two years until I had to move away for college. While working for Dr. Garrett, I was introduced to our wonderful Dr. Meghan Ellis. By the time I left the clinic, I learned much more than I expected because of her hands-on teaching skills and patience to help educate. After two years at Pitt Community College in Greenville, NC I recently transferred to Central Carolina Community College to begin classes for my veterinary technician license. I am very blessed to have the wonderful opportunity of working for Dr. Ellis with her ability to teach and mold me for success.

After 3 years of my first year of college I found myself working in an unfulfilling job for little money and needing emergency surgery for my very sick iguana, LeeZard. I called a lot of “exotic” animal veterinarians who didn’t treat lizards. Then I found one vet who would see me, but she told me to save my money and buy a new iguana. After a few choice words, I told her to get the other vet to do surgery on my LeeZard ASAP. He did, and she lived, but they housed her into the cold, dark basement (which was “nice and quiet”) which almost killed her. I took her home and she eventually recovered. It was at that point that I decided to become an exotic animal veterinarian.

I resigned from my unfulfilling job and got a new position as a veterinary assistant at Eastside Animal Hospital in Baltimore. Dr. Renee Wood taught me a lot about the medicine and business of being a veterinarian– and I was hooked on both! When Dave got transferred to North Carolina in 1999, we moved to Durham to be convenient to his work and NC State, where I was finishing my bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately school makes me a little bit crazy, so to preserve my sanity I went to college part time while working full time. I was VERY lucky to get my second vet assistant job at The Animal Hospital of Carrboro working with the late Dr. Charles Ward. Under his mentorship, I learned what it means to be a great veterinarian. Medicine and surgery are of course very important, but caring and empathy and listening and common sense are equally so. With his recommendation, I was accepted by NC State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004.

I graduated vet school in 2008 with a concentration in zoological medicine, reflecting my love for non-traditional pet species. Luck struck again and I got a great job at Animal Hospital of Fayetteville. With the super-busy hospital I had plenty of opportunity to further develop my medical and surgical skills. The best part about working there was the people I met: doctors, staff, and clients.

Although I really enjoyed working at Animal Hospital of Fayetteville, it is time to move on. I have always wanted to have my own practice, and in June 2011 I finally took the first step toward realizing that dream- I got financing! It was rough going at first, trying to find a suitable space for my hospital, going through zoning challenges, etc., but things work out for a reason. Moving in with Fins, Furs, and Feathers was all Chuck Connelly’s idea and I have to say, what a great idea! He’s been the best landlord anyone could ask for, and we are looking forward to a long business relationship.

Dave and I moved to Sanford when I started my job at Animal Hospital of Fayetteville. We live in the most colorful house in the Rosemont-McIver Historic District and can’t think of any place we’d rather be. Ok, maybe Key West, but only for vacation. We love decorating our house both inside and out. Come by during Halloween and see what I mean!

In my spare time (ha ha) I love hanging out with Dave and our “kids.” All of our kids are rescues:

Anastasia (11 year old Husky)
Tatyana (7 year old Husky)
Nunyette (5 year old Rottweiler)
Sergei (5 year old Husky)
Snook (old Pomeranian)
Greta (age unknown Domestic Long Hair cat)

Dave and I are season ticket holders for the Carolina Hurricanes and passionate Caniacs. I also let my Baltimore roots show during NFL season- literally. The purple streaks in my hair are to support the Ravens!

So many people have made this dream a reality- Dave, my mom, our families, and friends, the coworkers I’ve known through the years, my classmates, and my clients. I can’t thank you all enough for your love, support, and encouragement. I especially want to thank Dr. Ward. Without him, there would be no Dr. Meghan.