Unleashed: A Vet's Memoir of Heartache, Hairballs and Hope

by Caitlin Venniker

‘Unleashed is filled with empathy, depth and a charming touch of humour at the perfect moments.’ – SYLVESTER CHAUKE

‘An effortlessly comedic and deeply moving tale of a vet finding her feet and purpose. Venniker is that rare guide who’s honest, witty and relatable.’ – ALASTAIR MCALPINE

‘Fascinating, funny and poetically heartbreaking. Who knew the secret life of a vet would be a page-turner?’ – DION CHANG

‘Unleashed is a book that celebrates life.’ – MIKE NICOL**

Unleashed is the hilarious, intensely honest memoir of Caitlin Venniker’s journey from Onderstepoort, the only veterinary training institution in South Africa, into the heart of private practice, with a few stops in the United Kingdom and Middle East along the way.

It’s a story of growing up, juggling owners with high expectations and animals with big opinions, bluffing confidence, quirky colleagues, cows with anger issues and midnight emergencies. It’s about navigating the challenges of dating, using coffee as a crutch, finding humour in dark moments, and the immense joy and grief that come with loving animals.

322 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2026

Reviews

[Tanya]

Such a well written memoir that had me laughing out loud in parts and crying in others. Absolutely loved it and can’t wait to hear the author at Franschoek Literary Festival

[Ute Weiß]

I laughed, I cried - this book sent me on an emotional roller coaster.

I know a bit more about South Africa, I had to look up words and in the end animal lovers share a bond that defies borders.

I knew that there is a mental health crisis among veterinarians. Has been for years. Caitlin shines a light on it as well. Too many lost to suicide. I can understand why. There is so much heart break happening day in and day out in her profession. You can‘t save them all and too many people are cruel.

However vets are doing a great job on a daily basis for the love of animals.

[Delyse Richards]

An absolute treasure of a book. I love love loved every page of this book told with such genuine passion for her career and a beautiful sense of humour.

[Andrew]

I loved this book.
Beautifully written and the author doesn't take herself too seriously whilst still touching on some serious topics and putting it all together with a good dose of humour.
Not many books make you laugh in one chapter then cry in the next.

[Juanita Mackenzie]

What an incredible representation of our lives as OP students and vets. Final chapter had me in tears - will absolutely be forcing this book on my family and friends. Thank you Caity!

[Mr Pink Ink]

Thank you to Pan Macmillan SA for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I’ll be honest: memoirs and non-fiction generally aren’t my thing, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going into Unleashed. But Caitlin Venniker very quickly proved that a good story is a good story, regardless of the genre.

Unleashed reads almost like a novel, following Venniker from her days at Onderstepoort into the unpredictable world of private veterinary practice, with plenty of stops, starts, questionable life choices, quirky colleagues, demanding owners and animals with VERY strong opinions along the way. It’s funny, honest, and wonderfully South African, which made it all the more enjoyable for me.

There’s plenty of humour here, but Venniker also doesn’t shy away from the harder parts of being a vet. The heartache, the grief, the midnight emergencies and the emotional toll of caring for animals are all woven naturally into the story. Somehow, she manages to find the funny in the chaos without making light of the difficult moments.

As a dog dad, I also picked up a couple of tips along the way, so naturally I’m considering that a productive reading experience.

If you’re an animal lover, a pet owner, a fan of memoirs, or simply enjoy a funny and honest story about one person figuring out life as they go, Unleashed is definitely worth picking up.

For someone who doesn't usually reach for memoirs or non-fiction, I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed this one.

[Leigh Alexandra]

Unleashed is an incredible read, a perfect blend of laughter, sorrow, and hope. I was completely whisked away on a journey I didn’t want to end, and one I genuinely loved every step of.

As a little girl, I swore I’d become a vet, but the universe clearly had different plans. Still, I’ve always carried a deep admiration for those who dedicate their lives to caring for our animals, and this book captured that devotion beautifully.

It’s a story that lingers long after you’ve finished it. One I know I’ll return to again and again. Truly spectacular.

[Se7en]

Unleashed is the journey of Caitlin Venniker as she navigated her way through veterinary school at South Africa's only institution for becoming a veterinarian, Onderstepoort in Pretoria. I had friends who studied there, when I was at varsity, and seems like not a lot has changed. The "ups and downs" of her life lead us through the highs and lows of student life on a very different campus to the usual one... one interspersed with animals and animal classes... and often times hilarious situations. If you have kids who are away studying and young adults launching into the world, then this read will be especially delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Ellen Erasmus-Morton]

Thoroughly enjoyed this relaxed, clear, fun tale. 😉
Caitlin’s writing is unassuming and straightforward. There were lovely snippets of ‘I did not know that’ to keep one interested. Worth your time! 🐱🐶🐴

[Book Dragon]

Beautiful, gentle and humorous. Only 1 tissue needed - she writes it all beautifully balanced.

[gobernerners]

Highly recommended read. A hilarious, astute and emotionally observant take on what it means to navigate through life whilst caring for living things. As a vet myself, I found it to be incredibly accurate and moving. I have nothing but praise for this book.