Before social media fame, Dr Amir Anwary—known to over two million followers as Amir the Vet — was a child caring for orphaned kittens and wildlife. Guided by empathy, resilience, and a lifelong bond with animals, he transformed early instincts into a global platform for veterinary education, conservation, and responsible influence, showing that impact is measured by real-world change, not follower counts.
Long before the scrubs, stethoscope and social media following, Dr Amir Anwary — better known to more than two million followers on Instagram and TikTok as Amir the Vet — was a child with a shoebox of orphaned kittens and an unwavering instinct to care. He grew up deeply attached to animals, not in a casual childhood-pet way, but in a way that felt foundational. When mother cats were killed on the road, he bottle-fed their kittens. He raised rabbits, sometimes rearing baby rabbits himself. Compassion was not theoretical, it was hands-on and practical.
While other children gravitated toward cartoons, Amir gravitated toward wildlife documentaries. National Geographic fascinated him more than fictional superheroes ever could. Animals were never background characters in his life — they were central. That early emotional connection would quietly shape everything that followed.
The ICU that clarified his calling
Despite his lifelong bond with animals, becoming a veterinarian did not initially feel like a realistic career path. Growing up in a Muslim family, more traditional professions seemed expected. Human medicine appeared logical, respectable, and attainable. In Grade 11, he completed work experience at a human hospital, spending time in the ICU. It was meant to confirm his path. Instead, it changed his life course.
The intensity of the environment did not inspire him — it unsettled him. It did not resonate in the way he had hoped. He left knowing something was misaligned. It was his mother who reframed the future with a simple but powerful reminder: You’ve always loved animals — why not become a vet?
The clarity was immediate. The hesitation dissolved. From that moment, veterinary medicine was no longer a distant idea — it became the only real option.
No idol, just inner conviction
Many professionals credit a mentor, television show, or public figure as the spark that ignited their ambition. Amir’s journey was different. He did not grow up consuming veterinary content or idolising a particular clinician.
His motivation was internal. The attachment to animals, the fascination with wildlife, and the instinct to care were deeply personal. The desire to pursue veterinary medicine grew from that internal compass rather than external influence. That independence would later define both his clinical style and his digital presence.
Onderstepoort and the making of a clinician
Veterinary training at Onderstepoort was rigorous, intellectually demanding and clinically formative. Lecturers shaped the way he thinks, reasons and approaches cases. Clinical rotations exposed him to real-world consultations, difficult client conversations, and the emotional complexity of practice.
There was no single defining mentor outside university. His growth as a veterinarian was largely self-driven — built through experience, reflection, and resilience. But the academic demands of veterinary school were only part of his challenge.
Training through pain
During his studies, Amir was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is both painful and unpredictable. Veterinary training is demanding under normal circumstances. Balancing it with severe illness added a layer of difficulty few peers experienced. He was often physically unwell while managing academic deadlines, clinical responsibilities, and exams. The strain was immense. He describes that period as the hardest of his life.
Yet in hindsight, that struggle deepened his empathy. Living with chronic illness sharpened his understanding of vulnerability — a perspective that would later influence how he interacts with both clients and followers.
Clinic realities and emotional weight
Early clinical exposure during university rounds prepared him for the emotional truths of veterinary medicine. Consultations are not simply diagnostic exercises. They are deeply human interactions.
Veterinary practice includes euthanasia, trauma, financial constraints, and grief. It demands clinical precision and emotional endurance in equal measure. Without early exposure to those realities, the transition into independent practice would have been far more jarring. The experience grounded him. It reinforced that veterinary medicine is not simply about animals — it is about navigating the bond between people and their animals.
Seeing social media before it saw him
Amir did not stumble into social media fame accidentally. Before posting consistently, he researched its trajectory and influence. He understood that digital platforms were becoming powerful educational tools. If he was already explaining complex medical concepts repeatedly in the clinic, why not scale that education? He recognised an opportunity: Reach beyond one consultation room.
Social media became an extension of his practice — not a distraction from it.
The abscess that went viral
He remembers the exact moment his digital reach shifted. While working with sable antelope in the Eastern Cape, he filmed himself rupturing an abscess. The video — clinical, unfiltered, and oddly satisfying — resonated widely. It was shared across platforms, drawing attention from audiences who may never have previously engaged with veterinary content.
That moment revealed something critical: people are curious. They want transparency. They are fascinated by the realities of animal health. It was proof that veterinary medicine could command global attention.
Relatability over performance
With more than two million followers, Amir’s success is not built on theatrics. It is built on communication. Years of explaining diagnoses in exam rooms refined his ability to translate medical complexity into language that is practical and accessible. He communicates online the way he consults in person — directly, honestly, and without unnecessary jargon. Followers respond not to perfection, but to authenticity.
Positive energy only, but with perspective
His motto, ‘positive energy only’, defines the tone of his digital space. He intentionally cultivates comment sections that are kind and constructive, aware of how toxic online environments can become. However, he draws a clear boundary between online culture and clinical reality.
Veterinary medicine is not always positive. It includes loss, difficult decisions, and emotional fatigue. Forced optimism in those moments would be disingenuous. Emotional honesty, he believes, is healthier than constant brightness. Positivity online is about fostering community — not denying reality.
Responsibility beyond pet advice
As his following grew, so did his sense of responsibility. While his platform began with pet care education, his long-term vision was always broader. He does not see himself merely as an influencer. He sees the platform as infrastructure — a vehicle for meaningful impact.
Education remains central, but advocacy, welfare awareness and conservation have become integral components.
From exam room to rhino rescue
In April, he launched a rhino rescue initiative, leveraging his reach to support conservation efforts. The shift reflects his lifelong connection to wildlife — the same connection that once drew him to documentaries as a child. Yet growth came with strain.
Balancing clinical practice, content creation, conservation projects, and brand partnerships proved overwhelming. Last year, he experienced burnout trying to sustain everything simultaneously.
This year represents recalibration — prioritising sustainability over relentless expansion.
When impact becomes personal
Among the countless messages he receives, two resonate most deeply: Those from aspiring veterinarians who say he inspired their career choice, and those from pet owners who say their animals are healthier because of his advice. Impact measured in real-world change carries more weight than follower counts. For Amir, numbers matter less than influence used responsibly.
Redesigning the balance
To reassess priorities, he recently stepped away from clinical work for three months. The goal is not withdrawal from practice, but strategic restructuring — determining how to balance medicine, media, business, and welfare initiatives sustainably. It is a pause with purpose.
Building beyond the brand
Amir co-founded Vets2Pets, a supplement company launched with his brothers and a close friend. He uses his platform to introduce products responsibly, conscious of the trust placed in him.
However, business is only one pillar. His broader ambition remains clear: become a trusted, credible voice in the global pet community while supporting conservation and welfare causes. The mission is impact at scale — not influence for its own sake.
Quick fire-round
- All-time favourite book: The 5 AM Club. It influences how I structure my life and work.
- What is your favourite movie? Something you can watch again and again?
It has to be White Chicks. I can watch it over and over and still laugh every single time. It is one of those comfort movies that never gets old for me. - If you had to choose one favourite meal, what would it be?
Braai meat, without a doubt. I absolutely love a proper braai. There is something about it — the flavour, the atmosphere, the tradition — it just feels like home. - Outside of veterinary medicine, what is one passion or interest people might be surprised to learn about you?
I love pencil sketching, and I really love dancing. Dancing, especially, is a big part of how I express myself and unwind. It is one of the things that keeps me grounded and happy outside of work