Shelter Medicine Associate Veterinarian

San Francisco SPCA; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical, Dental & Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

401k Retirement Plan with matching

Student debt relief program

Pre-tax Commuter Benefits

Discounts on retail and pet supplies

Discounts on veterinary care

Job summary

A leading animal welfare organization in San Francisco is seeking a Shelter Medicine Associate Veterinarian to provide medical care to homeless animals and collaborate with local shelters. This role is vital for fostering innovative, evidence-based approaches to improve animal welfare outcomes. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 annually and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Current California veterinary license or ability to acquire it.
• Comfortable with surgery and willing to perform 25–35 spay/neuter procedures daily.
• Previous shelter medicine experience is strongly preferred.
• Previous shelter medicine experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical care to thousands of homeless animals every year.
• Partner with shelters to improve outcomes and build better systems.
• Develop efficient, evidence-based approaches for animal welfare.
• Inspire and lead a dedicated veterinary team.

Skills

Surgery competency

Community partnership skills

Evidence-based care

Evidence-based approach

Education

DVM or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school

Current California veterinary license

Job description

Description

Join a team at the intersection of exceptional veterinary care and social change

At the San Francisco SPCA, we believe every animal deserves compassionate, high-quality care—whether they’re already in a home or still searching for one. As a nonprofit rooted in equity and innovation, we focus on delivering care that is not only excellent, but efficient and strategic, so we can save more lives and serve more animals.

We are seeking a Shelter Medicine Associate Veterinarian who is a skilled, mission-driven team member ready to shape the future of shelter medicine in one of the country’s most progressive animal welfare organizations. In this hands‑on clinical role, you’ll be an integral part of a dedicated team that provides medical care to thousands of homeless animals annually, while supporting local and regional partners to improve outcomes across San Francisco and California.

This position isn’t just about treating animals—it’s about transforming systems.

In this role, you’ll:

• Be an integral part of and inspire a dedicated team that provides medical care to thousands of homeless animals each year.
• Partner with shelters across San Francisco and California to improve outcomes, build stronger systems, and share best practices.
• Balance compassion with strategy—developing efficient, evidence‑based approaches that create healthier populations and faster paths to adoption.
• Work collaboratively across the organization to bring new ideas to life and ensure every animal gets the chance they deserve.

If you’re ready to redefine what shelter medicine can be and want to be a part of a team that’s deeply committed to meaningful, measurable progress, we want to hear from you.

Requirements

• DVM or equivalent from an AVMA‑accredited veterinary school
• Current California veterinary license (or ability to obtain one)
• Comfortable in surgery – or ready to build toward performing 25‑35 spay/neuter procedures per day, plus other procedures
• Previous shelter medicine experience strongly preferred
• Location: San Francisco, CA (on‑site, with occasional travel to regional partners)

Salary Description

The starting salary for this position depends on the depth and breadth of experience. Salary can be expected to be between $150,000‑$250,000 / year

Regular, full‑time positions are eligible for a benefits package including

• Paid Time Off and Holiday pay
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long‑term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan and contribution matching
• Student debt relief program
• Pre‑tax Commuter Benefits
• Discounts on retail and pet supplies
• Discounts on veterinary care at our SF SPCA Mission Campus Veterinary Hospital and Spay/Neuter Clinic

The San Francisco SPCA welcomes everyone! We welcome all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, political persuasions, languages, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, socioeconomic statuses, and national origins. Diversity brings innovative ideas, perspectives, and opinions. We consider our differences to be valuable assets that will help us continually strive to be better at what we do and to advance our mission.

The SF SPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job ad reflects the assignment of essential functions and does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The San Francisco SPCA is an at‑will employer and may conduct pre‑employment background checks and drug screening depending on the role.