
By Gina Horan
Purrfect Paws & Claws Opens in Leesburg with Pets, Prizes and Pure Love

Professional Drive in Leesburg was full of fur and fun as Purrfect Paws & Claws Animal Hospital celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce.
The event drew community leaders, local businesses and plenty of pets eager to see Leesburg’s newest veterinary clinic. For Dr. Anne Valdes, medical director and owner, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong calling. A Cornell graduate with 18 years of experience in general practice, emergency care and advanced procedures, Dr. Valdes left a high-tech metropolitan setting to create a community-focused practice blending modern expertise with warmth and accessibility.
“Our vision for this event is to get to know the community,” Dr. Valdes says, “It’s an opportunity to get your photo taken, meet vendors and schedule a first appointment through our specials that we offer today.”
For the foreseeable future, she hopes to create strong relationships throughout the community.
“With these wonderful rescue groups and individual families, we can share our unique treatments that can help local pets wherever they come from,” she says.
The grand opening had food trucks from Chikiz Empanadaditas, Simple Eats & Treats and others while local vendors set up tables to showcase their goods. Hill’s Science Diet and Orlando Cat Café sponsored raffles, a pet photo booth gave owners the perfect excuse for selfies with their four-legged friends, and giveaways included free exams and adoption opportunities. Sponsors Zoetis, Vetoquinol and Vetsource also pitched in to make the day a true community celebration.
Sandi Moore of the Leesburg Chamber summed up the excitement.
“It’s so exciting to have Purrfect Paws & Claws here,” she says. “There’s such a need in our community for affordable veterinary care. I also love that Dr. Valdes brought her whole crew with her from Miami, which says a lot about her and the dedication of this team.”
One of those team members is Hector Torres, director of operations and what he jokingly calls the “maker of magic.” Moving from Miami was an easy decision, he says, because of the bond he’s built with Dr. Valdes over more than a decade.

(Hector Torres, director of operations. Photo Credit – Gina Horan.)
“Anne is passionate about not only the pets but the clients,” he says. “That matters, because when something is wrong and a pet parent is stressed, they don’t always know what to do. We practice animal medicine of course, but we also give people time and access. The doctor calls you back no matter when. That kind of access is rare these days.”
Since opening two months ago, Purrfect Paws & Claws has already made an impression. The clinic offers preventive exams, dental care with in-house X-rays, advanced diagnostics and urgent care. Orthopedic surgeries are performed on-site by a mobile specialist. Extended hours and the ability to handle most emergencies make it a convenient choice for families juggling busy schedules.
Andrea Simmons of A Forever Home Animal Rescue says the partnership is invaluable.
“We want to help as many dogs as possible, especially the ones that need rehab that nobody else will take. We’ve been looking for a vet like this for years,” she says. “Because they’re not a big corporation, nothing gets taken away from rescue efforts. They’re willing to work with us at a fair rate, and that allows rescues to keep rescuing.”
The opening not only introduced Leesburg to a new veterinary clinic but also showcased its commitment to community, compassion and top-notch care, setting the tone for Purrfect Paws & Claws as a trusted resource for all the pets in Leesburg.
Perfect Paws & Claws is located at 33025 Professional Dr. in Leesburg. For more information, call 352.901.6142 or visit ppcvh.com.
Photos by Gina Horan
Gina moved to Central Florida in August 2021 from the San Francisco Bay Area. She has a degree in linguistics and worked as a fashion editor, photo stylist lifestyle columnist and food writer for the Knight Ridder Newspaper Group. She also covered and photographed music festivals, fashion shows and sports throughout Northern California. In 2000, she joined KSAN radio as a morning show co-host and produced the news and sports content there for four years. She later covered travel, events and the restaurant scene for KRON-Bay TV. A veteran bartender, Gina has worked in hospitality on and off since high school. She has been with Akers Media since 2022 and hosts the Healthy Living Central Florida podcast. Her passions include travel, road trips, baseball, history books and podcasts, tasting menus and arriving in a new city without a map or guidebook.