Relief Veterinarian

Humane Society of Sarasota County; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 168,000; Part time

Job summary

The Humane Society of Sarasota County is seeking a Relief Veterinarian to support our Veterinary Services team on an as-needed, independent contractor basis. The role focuses on shelter medicine, high-volume spay/neuter, and urgent medical care to help homeless animals.

You will perform surgeries, diagnose and treat conditions, maintain medical records, and collaborate with staff to move animals toward adoption, foster, or transfer. This flexible role offers meaningful work with the community.

Qualifications

• DVM degree and active Florida license required.
• Shelter medicine or high-volume spay/neuter experience preferred.
• Strong surgical and clinical skills with the ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries for shelter dogs and cats.
• Examine, diagnose, and treat a variety of medical conditions.
• Develop treatment plans and prescribe medications.
• Provide preventive care including vaccinations and parasite prevention.
• Perform additional surgical or dental procedures as needed.
• Monitor surgical patients and ensure excellent post-operative care.
• Collaborate with veterinary technicians and staff to deliver care.
• Maintain medical records in the shelter management system.
• Ensure animals are medically ready for adoption, foster, transfer, or other outcomes.
• Provide humane euthanasia when necessary according to policies.

Skills

Surgical skills

Clinical skills

Independence

Team communication

Empathy

Emotional resilience

Education

DVM degree

Florida veterinary license

Shelter medicine experience

ASV Guidelines familiarity

Tools

Shelter EMR

Job description

Description

Join Our Pack & Pride as a Relief Veterinarian

$800 Daily Rate | Relief / Independent Contractor | As-Needed Schedule

Are you an experienced veterinarian looking for meaningful work with the flexibility to choose your schedule? Do you enjoy shelter medicine, high-quality spay/neuter surgery, and making an immediate impact on the lives of homeless animals?

The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) is seeking a compassionate and skilled Relief Veterinarian to support our Veterinary Services team on an as‑needed basis. Whether you're looking to supplement your current practice, transition into shelter medicine, or simply want to use your expertise to save lives, we'd love to connect with you.

Why HSSC?

At HSSC, we're more than an animal shelter - we're a lifesaving organization committed to keeping pets and people together while providing exceptional care to the animals who need us most. Every day, our team works collaboratively to improve outcomes through progressive shelter medicine, compassionate care, and innovative programs that give every animal the best possible chance at a brighter future.

Why You'll Love This Role:

Every relief shift makes a difference. You'll join an experienced, supportive veterinary team where your skills have an immediate impact on animal welfare. From performing lifesaving surgeries to helping animals become healthy enough for adoption, foster, or transfer, you'll play an essential role in moving animals toward positive outcomes—all while enjoying the flexibility of an as‑needed schedule.

What the Day Really Looks Like:

No two days are exactly alike, but your work may include:

• Performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries for shelter dogs and cats.
• Examining, diagnosing, and treating a variety of medical conditions.
• Developing treatment plans and prescribing medications.
• Providing preventive care including vaccinations, parasite prevention, and routine wellness services.
• Performing additional surgical procedures or dental services based on your experience and scheduled needs.
• Monitoring surgical patients and ensuring excellent post‑operative care.
• Collaborating closely with veterinary technicians, assistants, and animal care staff to deliver outstanding patient care.
• Maintaining accurate medical records using our electronic shelter management system.
• Helping ensure animals are medically ready for adoption, foster placement, transfer, or other positive outcomes.
• Providing compassionate, humane euthanasia when necessary in accordance with accepted veterinary standards and organizational policies.

Requirements

You're a Great Fit If You...

• Believe every animal deserves compassionate, high-quality medical care.
• Enjoy working in a fast‑paced environment where your decisions directly improve lifesaving outcomes.
• Have strong surgical and clinical skills with confidence working independently.
• Communicate well with veterinary teams, shelter staff, volunteers, and foster caregivers.
• Thrive in collaborative environments while taking ownership of patient care.
• Handle challenging and emotional situations with professionalism, empathy, and resilience.

The Nuts & Bolts:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree (or equivalent).
• Active, unrestricted Florida veterinary license.
• Experience in shelter medicine or high-volume spay/neuter surgery is strongly preferred.
• Comfortable performing routine canine and feline surgeries.
• Experience with diagnostics, preventive medicine, and electronic medical records.
• Fear Free Shelter Certification and familiarity with Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines are a plus.
• Ability to safely handle animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Available to work scheduled relief shifts as needed.

Ready to Help Save Lives?

If you're looking for flexible veterinary work where your expertise truly matters, we'd love to hear from you.

Join our Pack & Pride and help provide exceptional medical care that gives homeless animals a second chance.