Registered Vet Tech (Onsite)

Rags to Riches Cat Rescue; Tillsonburg; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training provided

Job summary

Rags To Riches Cat Rescue in Tillsonburg, Ontario, is seeking a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to provide high‑quality medical care for shelter cats. The RVT will support intake assessments, treatment, preventive care, and medical documentation while collaborating with veterinarians, volunteers, and the RVT team.

The role emphasizes shelter medicine in a fast‑paced environment, with a focus on population‑level health, anesthesia, and compassionate care for previously injured or ill cats.

Qualifications

• Must be Registered & Licensed Veterinary Technician (RVT) in good standing.
• Minimum 2 years of experience as an RVT, preferably shelter, referral, or emergency medicine.
• Shelter medicine experience strongly preferred, including fast-paced environments and population-level health considerations.
• Adaptability and strong teamwork skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic shelter setting.
• Excellent attention to detail in medical documentation, treatment accuracy, and monitoring changes.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate new animal intakes, including physical assessments and medical history review.
• Administer medical treatments and preventative care including vaccines and parasite control.
• Perform blood draws for diagnostics and monitoring.
• Monitor ongoing medical cases and ensure timely follow-ups.
• Maintain accurate medical records and treatment logs.
• Coordinate veterinary appointments with clinics and partners.
• Arrange and oversee transportation of cats to veterinary visits.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

RVT license

2+ years RVT experience

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

About Us

Established in 2022, Rags To Riches Cat Rescue is a volunteer-run, federally registered charity dedicated to rescuing cats and kittens in need throughout Southwestern Ontario. Many of the animals that come into our care have been abandoned, neglected, born outdoors, or left to survive in unsafe conditions. Through our network of volunteers, foster families, veterinary partners, and supporters, we strive to give every cat the opportunity to live a safe, healthy, and loved life. As a foster-based rescue, our cats live in private homes where they receive the individualized care, socialization, and attention they need to prepare for adoption.

Our Mission

Adoption

By working with local communities, property owners, and animal welfare partners, our mission is to rescue cats facing homelessness, neglect, abandonment, illness, or injury. Once in our care, we provide veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, and compassionate support before matching each cat with the loving forever family they deserve.

In 2025, 257 cats found their forever homes through our rescue. In the first seven months of 2026 alone, another 316 cats were adopted, demonstrating the incredible impact that a dedicated community can have on the lives of vulnerable animals.

Advocacy

In addition to rehoming cats, we are passionate about advocating for feline welfare and educating the public on important issues such as:

• Cat overpopulation and the importance of spay and neuter programs
• Responsible pet ownership
• Outdoor cat welfare and community cat management
• Abandonment, neglect, and animal welfare concerns
• The importance of veterinary care and preventative health

We believe every cat deserves access to nutritious food, safe shelter, medical care, enrichment, and compassion.

Education

A cat is a lifelong commitment and should never be abandoned because of changes in circumstance or convenience. Common reasons cats are surrendered include relocation, financial hardship, lifestyle changes, allergies, or behavioural challenges. Our goal is to educate adopters and the community about responsible pet ownership, helping cats remain in loving homes for life whenever possible.

Volunteer Commitment

Rags To Riches Cat Rescue is powered entirely by dedicated volunteers. Communication, accountability, compassion, commitment, and reliability are essential to our success in helping cats in need.

Before applying, please ensure volunteering fits within your current commitments and availability.

Your support helps save lives and gives vulnerable cats a second chance at a brighter future.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) plays a critical role in ensuring high‑quality, consistent medical care for cats within Rags to Riches Cat Rescue. This position supports intake assessments, ongoing treatment, preventative care, and medical documentation while working collaboratively with veterinarians, volunteers, and the RVT team. The RVT helps maintain a safe, organized, and compassionate environment for cats—many of whom arrive with complex medical or behavioural histories—while contributing to the overall health and stability of the shelter population

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluate new animal intakes, including physical assessments, review of medical history, and interpretation of diagnostics when available.
• Administer medical treatments and preventative care, including vaccines, microchipping, parasite control, and RVT‑only procedures.
• Perform blood draws for FIV/FeLV snap tests and other diagnostic needs.
• Monitor ongoing medical cases, documenting changes, communicating concerns, and ensuring timely follow‑up.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date medical records, including treatment logs, intake notes, and veterinary directives.
• Coordinate veterinary appointments, including scheduling, preparing medical summaries, and communicating with clinic partners.
• Arrange and oversee transportation of cats to and from veterinary clinics, ensuring safe handling and proper carrier setup.
• Collaborate closely with veterinarians, animal care volunteers, and fellow RVTs to ensure consistent, high‑quality care across the shelter.
• Support population‑level health management, including monitoring for infectious disease, sanitation standards, and isolation protocols.
• Provide guidance to volunteers on safe handling, medical observation, and care routines as needed.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Number of direct reports: 0

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

As part of the Shelter Team and under the guidance and direction of the Founder (Interim), works independently as well as part of a team.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Schedule: Flexible ,3 hour shifts depending on operational needs
• Location: Rags to Riches Cat Rescue Onsite (Tillsonburg, Ontario)

QUALIFICATIONS & ATTRIBUTES

• Must be Registered & Licensed Veterinary Technician (RVT) in good standing, and approved by Rags to Riches shelter vet to practice medicine within the rescue
• Minimum 2 years of experience as an RVT, preferably in shelter, referral, or emergency medicine.
• Shelter medicine experience strongly preferred, including familiarity with fast‑paced environments and population‑level health considerations.
• Adaptability and strong teamwork skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic, evolving shelter setting.
• Exceptional attention to detail, especially in medical documentation, treatment accuracy, and monitoring subtle changes in animal condition.
• Understanding of the emotional and behavioural complexities associated with caring for animals with difficult or unknown histories.
• Empathy paired with professionalism, maintaining calm judgment and compassionate care even in stressful situations.
• Open, honest, and clear communicator, able to collaborate effectively with veterinarians, volunteers, and leadership.
• Valid G Driver’s License & reliable vehicle, required for clinic transport and offsite appointments.
• Proficient in Google Suite (Google Meet, Sheets, Docs, Gmail) with strong technical and organizational capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across diverse groups.
• Excellent organizational skills and keen attention to detail, with the ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
• Reliable, committed, and adaptable, demonstrating professionalism and accountability in all interactions.
• Positive and calm under pressure, maintaining focus and a solutions‑oriented approach in stressful situations.
• Dynamic personality with a passion for rescue work.
• Collaborative team player who works well independently while fostering inclusion and shared success.

Accessibility & Inclusion

Rags to Riches Cat Rescue is committed to creating a respectful, accessible, and inclusive work environment. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process.

If you require accommodations during recruitment or interviews, please contact [e-mail]

What Rags to Riches offers:

• Join a community of supportive cat lovers.
• Training, resources, and guidance.
• Rewarding experience of fulfilling our mission to helping cats find their forever homes.

We ask that only those who can make a serious long term commitment 1yr+ withRags to Riches Cat Rescue apply for this role.