Relief Veterinarian

Foothills Animal Shelter; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 106,000 - 142,000; Part time

Job summary

Foothills Animal Shelter in Golden, CO is seeking a Relief Veterinarian to fill in for vacations and planned time off. The position emphasizes surgical procedures—spay/neuter, dentistry, and general surgeries—with occasional medical rounds for shelter patients.

Applicants must have a DVM/VMD from an AVMA-accredited school, be licensed in good standing, and carry malpractice insurance. Shelter experience is preferred; Fear Free Shelter certification within 60 days is a plus.

Qualifications

• DVM/VMD from an AVMA-accredited school.
• Three years of veterinary practice experience, surgery-heavy.
• Active veterinary license in good standing and malpractice insurance.
• Shelter medicine experience preferred; Fear Free Shelter certification within 60 days.

Responsibilities

• Perform sterilization surgeries, dentistry, and other surgical procedures.
• Oversee treatment of shelter animals; conduct medical rounds and record keeping.
• Provide emergency care to injured animals; advise on adoption candidacy.
• Promote Fear Free practices; ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Address safety concerns and maintain clean, compliant shelter operations.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Volunteer collaboration

Feedback delivery

Calm under pressure

Lift 50 pounds

Education

DVM/VMD AVMA

License in good standing

Malpractice insurance

Shelter medicine experience

Fear Free Shelter cert within 60 days

Job description

Relief Veterinarian# Relief VeterinarianFoothills Animal Shelter - Golden, CO 80401Start Date 09/15/2026End Date 10/15/2026## OverviewSalary Range$90.00 - $90.00 HourlyPosition TypeReliefEducation LevelGraduate DegreeCategoryVeterinary Services## Description**POSITION SUMMARY**The Relief Veterinarian will work on an as-needed basis to fill-in for staff vacations or other planned time off. The Relief Veterinarian will primarily perform surgical procedures including spay/neuter, dentistry, and general surgeries, and may also perform medical rounds for shelter patients.**RESPONSIBILITIES*** Performs sterilization surgeries, dentistry, and other surgical procedures.* Oversees the treatment of shelter animals, conducts medical rounds, and maintains accurate medical records within the shelter database.* Provides emergency care to injured animals brought to the Shelter.* Makes recommendations for adoption candidacy based on medical condition and determines when euthanasia is the most appropriate outcome based on available resources and ability to maintain quality of life.* Models Fear Free veterinary practices and supports staff in implementing Fear Free techniques.* Advises staff on veterinary topics and procedures to ensure herd health including administering vaccinations, deworming, medications, and quarantine/isolation procedures.* Promotes and follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.* Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance with OSHA safety rules that could put a staff member, volunteer, patron, animal, or the organization at risk.**Other Duties*** This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.## Qualifications**Education and Experience*** Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) from an AVMA accredited school of veterinary medicine.* 3 years of experience practicing veterinary medicine in a private practice or shelter setting with a heavy surgical load.* Veterinary license in good standing.* Must have a current veterinary malpractice insurance policy.* Shelter medicine experience preferred.* Fear Free Shelter certified or become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment.**Skills and Abilities*** Excellent verbal and written communication.* Analyze and solve problems effectively.* Work cooperatively within a team environment.* Work effectively with volunteers.* Provide constructive feedback in a positive manner.* Facilitate difficult conversations.* Remain calm in emergency situations.* Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds**WORKING CONDITIONS*** Exposure to anesthesia gases, medications/drugs (controlled and non-controlled), and x-ray radiation.* 10-hour days spent standing on concrete floors, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping.* Exposure to pet dander, fumes, dust, odors, bodily fluids, chemicals, parasites, and zoonotic diseases.* Subject to animal bites or scratches.* Work performed in areas with high levels of noise.**About Foothills Animal Shelter:** As an open admission shelter, our doors are always open to pets in Jefferson County, and we are committed to serving our community as a socially conscious shelter. We care for more than 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers. We are a community resource and offer a variety of services including pet adoption, Jefferson County pet licensing, vaccinations, microchipping, and lost and found pets. The Shelter is established under an intergovernmental agreement between Jefferson County, the City of Arvada, the City of Lakewood, the City of Wheat Ridge, the City of Golden, the City of Westminster and the City of Edgewater.