Locum Veterinarian

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society; Whitby; On-site; CAD 83,000 - 124,000; Part time

Job summary

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society in Whitby, Ontario, is seeking a part-time Locum Veterinarian to provide integrated shelter medicine and community veterinary services. You will help manage animal health, oversee medical decisions, and ensure humane outcomes while covering assignments during absences.

You will lead clinical care, mentor staff, perform HQHVSN procedures, and deliver spay/neuter, wellness, and preventive care to the public, collaborating with leadership to uphold high standards

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from a CVMA-accredited institution or equivalent qualifications.
• Licensed and in good standing with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.
• Eligible and qualified to serve as Facility Director under CVO standards.
• Minimum 2+ years of clinical experience (shelter medicine or high-volume surgery an asset).
• Experience in spay/neuter, community medicine, or access-to-care models strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide veterinary oversight and medical recommendations for animals in the care of the Society.
• Deliver medical advice, guidance, and treatment recommendations to shelter teams, including diagnostics and treatment planning; conduct physical exams as needed.
• Support consistency in medical adoptability decisions and care standards.
• Serve as a clinical resource for complex or high-risk shelter cases.
• Collaborate with Animal Centre leadership to ensure timely, humane, and evidence-based care.
• Provide accessible veterinary services to the public (spay/neuter, wellness, preventive care, humane euthanasia).
• Ensure care aligns with access-to-care goals and delivers a compassionate client experience.
• Mentor RVTs, technicians, assistants, and students; foster a collaborative, safe medical environment.
• Uphold Ontario SPCA Medical SOPs and documentation standards; promote shelter medicine best practices.
• Champion safety and risk management; ensure HQHVSN and surgical capabilities.

Skills

DVM

Licensed to practice in Ontario

Shelter medicine

HQHVSN

Education

DVM (CVMA-accredited)

Job description

The Locum Veterinarianprovides integrated veterinary care across shelter medicine and community-based clinical services. This role supports the health and welfare of animals in the care of the Society while delivering accessible veterinary services to the public, including spay/neuter, wellness, and preventive care.

Work Schedule

This role offers flexible, part-time relief work. You'll choose from the assignments that fit your availability. Shifts are offered to support coverage when our veterinarians are away, during leaves, or at busy times.

• Provide veterinary oversight and medical recommendations for animals in the care of the Society
• Deliver medical advice, guidance, and treatment recommendations to shelter teams, including:
  • Diagnostics and treatment planning
  • Physical exams and procedures on shelter populations as needed
  • Prognosis and quality-of-life considerations
  • Ensure medical records are accurate
  • Humane outcomes when medically appropriate
• Support consistency in medical adoptability decisions and care standards
• Serve as a clinical resource for complex or high-risk shelter cases
• Collaborate with Animal Centre leadership to ensure timely, humane, and evidence-based care

Community & Public Veterinary Services

• Provide accessible veterinary services to the public, including:
  • Spay and neuter surgeries
  • Wellness and preventive care
  • Humane euthanasia as appropriate
  • Basic diagnostics and treatment
• Deliver care aligned with the Society's access-to-care and community impact goals
• Ensure a compassionate, respectful client experience for all clients

Medical Leadership, Coaching & Team Support

• Serve as a mentor to RVTs, technicians, assistants, and students
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and psychologically safe medical environment
• Promote a culture of shared accountability, compassion, and clinical excellence

Medical Standards, SOPs & Quality Improvement

• Implement and uphold:
  • Ontario SPCA Medical SOPs and protocols
  • Medical disclosures and documentation standards
  • Shelter medicine best practices

Health, Safety & Risk Management

• Champion compliance with:
  • Occupational Health and Safety legislation
  • Biosecurity and infection prevention standards
• Promote a culture of safety that protects:
  • Staff and volunteers
  • Clients and the public
  • Animals in care
• Participate in incident review, risk mitigation, and continuous safety improvement
• Strong foundation in shelter medicine and community veterinary care
• Confident clinical decision-maker with sound judgment in complex cases
• Surgical ability to provide HQHVSN
• Demonstrated leadership in team-based environments
• Excellent communication skills with staff, partners, and clients
• High integrity, adaptability, and commitment to humane, evidence-based care
• Solutions-focused with a strong sense of accountability

Set up for Success!

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from a CVMA-accredited institution or equivalent qualifications
• Licensed and in good standing with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario
• Eligible and qualified to serve as Facility Director under CVO standards
• Minimum 2+ years of clinical experience (shelter medicine or high-volume surgery an asset)
• Experience in spay/neuter, community medicine, or access-to-care models strongly preferred

We Can't Wait to Meet You!

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request. For any questions, suggestions or required documents regarding accessibility in a different format, please contact us at 888-668-7722.

Our Commitment to a Human-Centered Hiring Process

Our organization complies with Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000, and relevant privacy legislation. While we use technology to help manage applications efficiently, resumes are personally reviewed by a member of our recruitment team. From screening to interviews and final decisions, our process is rooted in a human-centered approach.