Medical Director/Veterinarian

AzVMA; Taos (NM); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & Sick Time

Signing Bonus

Relocation Assistance

Licensing Dues Reimbursement

Professional Liability Coverage

Continuing Education Support

Job summary

Stray Hearts Animal Shelter is seeking a Medical Director/Veterinarian to lead the medical team and oversee the health and welfare of dogs and cats in our care. This role combines clinical medicine with organizational leadership to expand the shelter’s capacity to save lives in Taos County.

The ideal candidate will balance individual animal needs with population health, drive medical protocols, and work closely with the Executive Director to develop policies and a compassionate, high‑quality

Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary program.
• Current New Mexico veterinary license in good standing.
• Experience providing veterinary care to dogs and cats in a shelter environment.
• Strong knowledge of companion-animal medicine, preventative care, infectious disease, and surgery.
• Excellent clinical judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced shelter environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to humane animal care and the mission of Stray Hearts.

Responsibilities

• Oversee medical care and wellbeing of animals in Stray Hearts' custody.
• Provide veterinary services for shelter animals and establish medical protocols.
• Collaborate with shelter leadership and staff on policies and resource allocation.
• Develop and implement surgical program for the shelter.
• Train staff on health observation, medication administration, and infection control.
• Balance individual animal needs with population health and resources.

Skills

Shelter medicine

Communication skills

Clinical judgment

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

DVM or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Medical Director/Veterinarian

Department: Medical & Animal Care

Job Type: Salaried, 3 days/week

Reports to: Executive Director

Want to live next to a world class ski resort with some of the steepest slopes in the country? Want to spend your summers hiking the Sangre de Cristo mountains and rafting the Rio Grande Gorge? Want to check-out world class art galleries and a UNESCO world heritage site? Stray Hearts Animal Shelter is searching for its next Medical Director/Veterinarian to join its team. Stray Hearts is located in Taos, New Mexico. This position will provide strategic leadership to the Animal Care and Medical team while helping expand Stray Hearts’ capacity to serve more animals. This is an exciting opportunity for a veterinarian who wants to combine clinical medicine, organizational leadership, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of animals and the community they serve.

SUMMARY

The Shelter Veterinarian is responsible for overseeing the medical care and wellbeing of animals in Stray Hearts' custody. This position will provide veterinary services for shelter animals, establish and oversee medical protocols, collaborate closely with shelter leadership and staff, and help ensure that animals receive timely, humane, and high-quality care from intake through adoption or transfer.

The ideal candidate is comfortable working in a shelter environment where medical decisions must balance individual animal needs, population health, available resources, and the organization's lifesaving mission.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

The Stray Hearts Animal Shelter is grounded in a culture of compassionate care, clinical excellence, and community service. Our team works collaboratively in a mission-driven environment where every role is vital to the well-being of animals and the trust of the community we serve.

We prioritize respect, teamwork, and adaptability. Each team member is expected to approach their work with empathy, professionalism, and a shared commitment to reducing barriers to care. In our organization, culture means supporting one another through challenges, celebrating lifesaving wins, and continuously striving to improve how we serve both pets and people.

We welcome team members who lead with humility, teach with intention, and practice current shelter medicine with heart.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Shelter Medicine and Population Health

• Provide comprehensive veterinary care for dogs and cats housed at Stray Hearts.
• Perform physical examinations, wellness exams, diagnostics, treatments, and follow-up care.
• Establish preventative-care protocols and diagnose and treat common shelter illnesses and injuries.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on each animal's medical needs, prognosis, quality of life, and adoption/transfer potential.
• Provide pain management and humane end-of-life care when necessary.
• Develop and maintain written medical protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Help prevent and manage outbreaks of infectious disease.
• Review shelter data and medical trends to identify opportunities to improve animal health and reduce length of stay.
• Have an interest in developing and implementing a surgical program for the shelter.

Staff Collaboration & Training

• Train staff on basic animal health observation, medication administration, disease recognition, handling, and infection control.
• Establish clear medical communication protocols so staff understand treatment plans and follow-up requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the Executive Director and leadership team on medical policies, resource allocation, and animal-care decisions.
• Foster a culture of compassion, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Community Programs

When appropriate, participate in Stray Hearts' community veterinary initiatives, which may include:

• Vaccination and microchip clinics.
• Community pet wellness programs.
• Pet retention and preventative-care initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary program.
• Current New Mexico veterinary license in good standing.
• Experience providing veterinary care to dogs and cats in a shelter environment
• Strong knowledge of companion-animal medicine, preventative care, infectious disease, and surgery.
• Excellent clinical judgment and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced shelter environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to humane animal care and the mission of Stray Hearts.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in shelter medicine.
• Experience managing infectious disease in a shelter or multi-animal environment.
• Experience developing shelter medical protocols.
• Fear Free or low-stress handling experience.
• Experience working in rescue organizations, municipal shelters, or nonprofit animal welfare organizations.

The Ideal Candidate:

The successful candidate will be:

• Compassionate: You recognize that every animal deserves thoughtful, humane care.
• Practical: You can make sound medical decisions while considering the realities of shelter medicine and available resources.
• Collaborative: You enjoy working with a diverse team and believe excellent animal care is a team effort.
• Proactive: You identify problems before they become crises and look for ways to improve systems.
• Adaptable: Shelter medicine can be unpredictable, and you are comfortable adjusting priorities when urgent needs arise.
• Mission-driven: You are passionate about lifesaving animal welfare and improving outcomes for both animals and the community.
• An excellent communicator: You can translate medical information into clear, actionable guidance for staff, fosters, adopters, and community members.

Why Join Stray Hearts?

Stray Hearts is in an exciting period of rebuilding and growth. The Medical Director/ Veterinarian will have the opportunity to help shape the medical program of an organization that is committed to improving outcomes for animals throughout Taos County.

This is more than a clinical position. It is an opportunity to build systems, improve shelter medicine practices, mentor a team, expand access to veterinary care, and directly save lives.

COMPENSATION

Stray Hearts Animal Shelter offers a competitive compensation package designed to attract and retain an exceptional Shelter Veterinarian.

• Annual Salary: $120,000 for 24 hours per week
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Sick Time
• Professional Development: Opportunities and support for continuing education and professional development
• Signing Bonus: $10,000 signing bonus
• Relocation Assistance: Up to $3,000 in relocation assistance for candidates relocating to the Taos area
• Stray Hearts will reimburse for licensing dues (State and DEA) as well as professional liability