Relief Shelter Veterinarian

Provide high-quality veterinary medicine and surgery, with a focus on high-quality, high-volume, spay and neuter surgery (HQHVSN), to publically-owned animals, ARF shelter guests and in support of all ARF programs. Provide shelter and public animals with medical care.

• Provide high-quality spay/neuter surgery services for the general public, shelter guests, including those temporarily in foster care, and for other ARF programs, including the ARF Emergency Medical Fund (EMF), Mobile Clinic clients, ARF staff, Pets and Vets clients, Cat Partners and others as scheduled.
• Provide shelter animal medical and dental care focusing on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of health and behavior problems, thereby increasing adoptions and decreasing adoption returns.
• Work collaboratively with all ARF Clinic staff, including the, ARF veterinarians and the Veterinary Services Administrator to ensure that the ARF clinic meets or exceeds the minimum standards of care established by the California State Veterinary Medical Board.
• Evaluate patients as assigned, and implement or prescribe appropriate medical or surgical care as needed.
• Maintain complete and accurate medical records of diagnosis, treatment and all other special care administered. Ensure shelter animal health histories are accurate and available on a timely basis for adoption department use.
• Evaluate the health of animals being surrendered by the public and those offered by other shelters.
• Perform humane euthanasia of animals that do not meet ARFs adoption criteria due to untreatable and/or unrehabilitatable behavioral or medical conditions, in accordance with ARFs behavior and medical matrices.
• Handle all dogs and cats in a safe and humane manner at all times, demonstrating the highest level of care and concern. Assist clients in a responsive, courteous and tactful manner.
• Ensure the secure handling, documentation and administration of controlled substances and adhere to all practice management protocols.
• Always promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
• Always treat people and animals with respect, contribute to effective teamwork, promote staff cooperation, and fosters public relations beneficial to ARF.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all information.
• Comply with all Federal, State and local safety regulations and laws, as well as ARF policies and guidelines. Follow established procedures governing safe work practices; and perform duties in a manner that assures the safety of oneself and others.
• Perform duties in a manner which encourages attainment of goals, contributions, and business for ARF and its programs.
• Promote teamwork, communication, and cooperation with all other departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.
• Push/pull moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds.
• Lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 40 pounds for short distancesand to humanely restrain animals when necessary.
• Walk dogs weighing up to 150 pounds in a variety of weather conditions.
• Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach above and below shoulder level, grasp and turn objects, stand, and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift.
• Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and waist.
• Dexterity to handle animals and small objects.
• Assess medical and behavior changes in animals using a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, visually and audibly.
• Sit for long short periods of time while using a computer.
• Repetitively use hands for surgical and dental procedures.
• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.

Graduation from an accredited College of Veterinary Medicine and hold a valid license to practice veterinary medicine in the State of California issued by the California Veterinary Medical Board.

Experience, Abilities, and Qualities Required:

• Two years experience doing high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter (HVHQSN) preferred.
• Experience working with community groups, volunteers and other nonprofit programs and organizations preferred.
• Knowledge of and professional training or experience in shelter medicine practice strongly preferred.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the work place.
• Ability to communicate with the public, volunteers and co-workers in a pleasant, courteous and tactful manner at all times.
• Demonstrate maturity, good judgment and professional personal appearance.
• Comfortable and skilled in working with diverse staff, volunteers and community.
• All ARF employees working on our main campus must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for documented medical purposes and/or sincerely held religious beliefs.
• Pre-employment background check screening required.

Part-time, as needed, to cover temporary absences of regularly-scheduled full and part-time veterinarians. Usually eight hour shifts will be scheduled; however, this position is authorized to work additional hours according to the needs of the department.