About Paw Priority
Built around relationships, not quotas.
An independent, doctor-owned veterinary clinic on Melrose. We do urgent care, general practice, and acupuncture — all three really well, all under one roof, with the same doctor every visit.
About Dr. Ameis
A doctor who knows your pet by name.
Dr. Ezra Ameis founded Paw Priority because the modern veterinary system was failing too many of his patients. ER waits got longer. Regular vets got busier. Pet parents got bounced between providers who didn’t know their pet’s history.
Paw Priority was built to be the alternative — a clinic small enough to remember your dog’s quirks, equipped enough to handle nearly everything, and independent enough to recommend care based on what your pet needs rather than corporate quotas.
Internship-trained with extensive experience in emergency medicine, Dr. Ameis brings hospital-level clinical skill to a neighborhood clinic environment. Same doctor every visit. Same standard of care.
Read more about Dr. Ameis →What we believe
Six things we won’t compromise on.
These principles aren’t a wall poster. They shape every appointment, every recommendation, and every after-hours phone call.
A close bond is a must
We take patients we can build a relationship with. Knowing your pet over years — their baseline, their quirks, what they eat — is how we catch problems early.
Same doctor every visit
Continuity matters. You shouldn’t have to re-explain your pet’s history every time. One doctor, one ongoing conversation about your pet’s care.
Independent and doctor-owned
No regional managers. No national office. Decisions get made in the clinic by the doctor who’s treating your pet — not by spreadsheet in another state.
Transparent pricing
Estimates before treatment. Full breakdowns on every invoice. No upselling. We publish our prices openly — see our full price list.
Time with you, not rushed
Real conversations about your pet, not a five-minute slot. We build in time for questions, options, and decisions you can feel confident about.
Modern medicine, old-school care
Best-in-class diagnostics, current treatment protocols, and equipment you’d expect at a specialty hospital — delivered with the personal attention of a neighborhood clinic.
Our team
The team behind the team.
Behind every great doctor is a team that makes the practice work. Our technicians, client service, and operations staff have been chosen for one reason — they treat your pet (and you) the way they’d want their own treated.
Why this matters
We’re not a corporate clinic.
Most veterinary clinics in this country are now owned by private equity. The difference shows up in your pet’s care — quietly, but consistently.
✕ Most corporate clinics
- Rotating doctors — whoever’s on shift
- Pressure to upsell services and products
- Care decisions influenced by quarterly targets
- Owned by private equity or national chains
- Hours and policies dictated by HQ
- High staff turnover
✓ Paw Priority
- Same doctor for your pet, every visit
- Recommendations based on clinical need
- Decisions made by the doctor treating your pet
- Independent and doctor-owned
- Hours that work for our clients
- Stable, long-tenured team
Editorial · 12 min read
The silent corporate takeover of veterinary medicine.
A long-form look at how private equity has reshaped the profession over the past decade, and why it matters for your pet.
Our space
A clinic designed to feel calm.
Our 3,200-square-foot urgent care on Melrose was built around a simple idea — a veterinary hospital should feel as good as the care inside it. Exam rooms, the reception area, and every treatment space are filled with California natural light through skylights and clerestory windows: a bright, uplifting environment for pets and the people who love them. State-of-the-art technology, a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Come by sometime and say hi — we’d love to give you a tour.
See for yourself.
The best way to understand the difference is to come in. Book a first visit and meet the doctor who’ll know your pet over the long haul.