Veterinary Assistant - Full Time Contract (Stratford Location)

Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford Perth; Stratford; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly wage

Access to staff pet food program

Adorable animals environment

Job summary

The Humane Society is seeking a Veterinary Assistant (Full-Time Contract) in Stratford, Ontario. You will support RVTs and Veterinarians, assist with animal care, manage intake, and help keep the clinic running smoothly in a fast-paced environment filled with animals.

The role covers surgical and medical duties, including medication administration, rounds, vaccines, and fostering processes. This position emphasizes teamwork, accuracy, and a compassionate approach to animal welfare.

Qualifications

• Post secondary education or relevant experience in animal care.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform physical tasks as required.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond quickly in emergency situations.
• Basic computer literacy (Microsoft Windows, Word) and familiarity with office equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with animal handling and preparation for surgery.
• Support admission process for client-owned animals, including intake and consent.
• Prepare animals for surgery and emergencies.
• Clean and prepare surgical instruments and medical supplies.
• Maintain accurate medical records for surgeries.
• Assist in returning animals to kennels and coordinate with adoption/animal care staff.
• Label animals for surgery the following day.
• Provide general cleaning and care for animals housed within the clinic, including kennels.
• Assist with emergency cases as needed.
• Ensure clinic maintains high standards of cleanliness and disinfection.

Skills

Animal care

Interpersonal skills

Physical stamina

Emergency responsiveness

Computer literacy

Education

Post secondary education or experience in animal care

Job description

Veterinary Assistant (Full-Time Contract)

Are you an animal lover with a passion for making a difference? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where every day brings something new (and often furry)? Under the direction of the Medical Director, Veterinarian or their designate, our Veterinary Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the amazing work of our veterinary team. You will assist Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and Veterinarians with animal care, help keep our clinic running smoothly, and ensure every animal in our care receives top-notch treatment. Plus, you will be surrounded by adorable animals!

This is a posting is for a full-time contract position for 12-months, November 2026 – November 2027.Schedule is Sunday to Thursday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.

What you will be doing:

Surgical

• Assisting with animal handling, including the collection and preparation of animals for surgery
• Supporting the admission process for client-owned animals, including intake and consent
• Preparing animals for surgery and emergencies
• Cleaning and preparing surgical instruments and medical supplies
• Maintaining accurate medical records for surgeries
• Assisting in returning animals to their kennels and coordinating with adoption/animal care staff
• Labeling animals for surgery the following day
• Providing general cleaning and care for animals housed within the clinic, including kennel
• cleaning
• Assisting with emergency cases as needed
• Ensuring the clinic maintains the highest standards of cleanliness and disinfection

Medical

• Administer AM and PM medication to in-Centre animals
• Daily rounds to assess all in-centre animals
• Wellness examinations of new intakes
• Administering booster vaccines to shelter animals, including foster appointments
• Prepare medication for foster pick up
• Weekly review of vaccines and parasite prevention to ensure completion
• Accompanying veterinarian on daily rounds of in-Centre animals
• Ensuring that animals are moved through the shelter stages appropriately: including moving off stray hold and clearing for adoption when appropriate

Qualifications & Skills Required:

• Post secondary education or working experience in animal care or veterinary assistant
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform physical tasks as required
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond quickly in emergency situations
• Basic computer literacy (Microsoft Windows, Word) and familiarity with office equipment

The Perks:

• Hourly wage of $18.50 - $19.50
• Access to staff pet food program (discounted retail prices)
• An environment always filled with adorable animals

The Humane Society warmly welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and groups. We are committed to a culture of inclusivity and collaboration that celebrates diverse perspectives and voices.

The Humane Society is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free work environment. We will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities upon request. Please let us know if you require support at any stage of the recruitment process by contacting our Human Resources team at [e-mail].

We do not use artificial intelligence or automated decision-making to screen or select candidates for this position. All applications are reviewed by our recruitment team.

This opportunity is for a current vacancy.

We thank all candidates for their applications; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.