Shelter Veterinarian/Spay & Neuter Surgeon (Contracted, Full-Time, or Part-Time)

SPCA of Wake County; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Health/dental/vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Discount on pet adoptions

Job summary

A regional animal welfare organization in Raleigh, NC, is seeking a dedicated Shelter Veterinarian/Spay & Neuter Surgeon. This role combines compassionate care for shelter pets with innovative strategies to enhance animal health and well-being. Candidates should have extensive veterinary experience, a passion for shelter medicine, and strong communication skills. Offering competitive salary, health benefits, and a supportive work environment. Join a team committed to making a difference in the community.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in veterinary medicine and shelter medicine.
• Ability to perform high-volume spay and neuter services.
• Excited about animal welfare and community impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical care to shelter pets.
• Collaborate with the medical team.
• Train staff on Fear-Free handling.

Skills

Veterinary experience

Shelter medicine

Collaboration

Communication skills

Innovative mindset

Organizational abilities

Education

North Carolina Veterinary License

Job description

Shelter Veterinarian/Spay & Neuter Surgeon (Contracted, Full-Time, or Part-Time)

We are an innovative organization with a $27 million expansion project underway and will be opening North Carolina’s first regional campus for pets and people. As a veterinarian with the SPCA of Wake County, you will collaborate with our existing medical team of one veterinarian and several full‑time veterinary medical assistants to deliver compassionate care to our shelter pets.

Job Details

• Category: Full‑time, Exempt
• Location: Raleigh and Garner, NC
• Reports to: VP of Operations
• Salary: $130,000 (negotiable) plus health/dental/vision insurance, paid time off, 401(k); relocation fees up to $5,000; flexible schedule

Responsibilities

• Provide outstanding medical care to a diverse population of animals in the SPCA’s adoption program, from healthy pets to critical medical cases.
• Collaborate with the existing medical team to develop innovative strategies for optimal animal health and well‑being.
• Encourage continuous improvement and outside‑the‑box solutions throughout the shelter to increase quality of care.
• Coordinate with all departments (intake, animal care, adoptions) to ensure streamlined operations and judicious resource allocation.
• Communicate regularly with the development team to share heartwarming stories and medical successes for community outreach.
• Participate in interdepartmental conversations to maintain open communication on organizational progress, needs, and decision making.
• Provide guidance and support to our dedicated medical staff, empowering them to excel.
• Train staff on the use and importance of Fear‑Free handling.
• Perform high‑volume, high‑quality surgical sterilizations.
• Examine animals post‑operatively to ensure appropriate recovery.
• Vaccinate and SNAP test animals.
• Follow and support all organizational and medical protocols.
• Behave in a manner that upholds both professional and personal standards while embracing the core values of SPCA Wake at all times.
• Strive to continuously update and improve all training needs.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in veterinary medicine with strong diagnosis, treatment, and biosecurity protocols.
• Passion for and experience in shelter medicine, providing high‑volume, high‑quality spay & neuter services.
• Compassionate, positive, and dedicated to animal welfare.
• Enjoys collaborating with a team and teaching when necessary.
• Excited about our mission and impacts.
• Excellent communication skills to interact with team, volunteers, and patients.
• Innovative mindset and desire to explore new ways to enhance animal welfare.
• Organizational abilities to juggle multiple cases and responsibilities simultaneously.
• Desires to work on the front lines to stop pet overpopulation and reduce euthanasia of healthy animals.
• Enjoys working in a fast‑paced environment as an efficient, productive team member and teacher to new staff.
• Presumes kindness and compassion, assuming positive intent when interacting with others.

Requirements

• Hold a current North Carolina Veterinary License or qualify to obtain one within 60 days of hire.
• Qualified and eligible to obtain a DEA license.
• Use Fear‑Free handling methods and become Fear‑Free Certified within 60 days of hire.
• Knowledgeable about shelter medicine and high‑volume spay & neuter best practices.
• Effective decision‑making and diagnostic skills.
• Valid driver’s license with an insurable driving record to travel between the two locations.
• Availability for emergency telephone consultations during non‑business hours.

Potential and Prolonged Exposures

• Various aqueous solutions including, but not limited to, dish soap and chlorhexidine.
• Isopropanol and hydrogen peroxide.
• Formalin solution.
• Ammonium cleaners, bleach, and Accel.
• Pressurized steam.
• Sharps, including needles and surgical blades.

Work Hours

The full‑time role is an exempt position that requires a 40–45‑hour work week, typically Monday through Friday onsite, although some weekends may be necessary depending on animal needs. Remote on‑call availability is required for staff support. Work hours may be extended as needed to meet animal health needs, training, special events, or meetings.

Additional Benefits

• Medical and Dental: Employer pays 90% of employee coverage (full‑time).
• Comprehensive insurance including wellness, dental, vision, life, mental health care, prescriptions, emergency & urgent care, chiropractic care, and physical therapy.
• Telemedicine options, 24/7 access to virtual health & wellness care and virtual behavioral health care.
• Paid time off for all part‑time and full‑time staff.
• Paid holidays – 9 paid holidays per year (full‑time).
• Vacation time – 10 paid vacation days per year (full‑time) with scheduled increases at milestone anniversaries.
• Sick time – 6.5 paid sick days per year (full‑time).
• 401(k) plan.
• Coastal Federal Credit Union membership.
• 20% discount on pet adoptions and in SPCA Wake retail store.
• Bereavement time off.
• Federal & state leave of absence options.

Conditions

• May work in an area with high noise, foul odors, toxic chemicals, environmental contaminants, and zoonotic diseases.
• May be required to work longer than a standard 8‑hour day.
• Physical requirements: ability to stand or sit for long periods, walk, bend, lift & carry (50 pounds), speak, hear, see, and depth perception.
• May be required to climb, balance, kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• May be pulled, jolted, or jumped on by small & large animals.
• Must possess excellent hand‑eye coordination and an acceptable degree of dexterity.
• Must have good hearing, including ability to distinguish changes in pitch.
• Must have reasonable agility to move through tightly cramped areas in various situations.
• Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception, and ability to focus.
• Must be able to cope with death due to surgical complications or euthanasia.
• Ability to rapidly and accurately process information.
• Ability to remain calm in frustrating and stressful situations.

Perks and Benefits

• Be part of an awe‑inspiring team changing the game in animal sheltering.
• Work in an environment of kindness, support, and open communication with resources to assist in heroic efforts.
• Flexible schedule for work‑life balance.
• Competitive salary with room for growth and development.
• Creative freedom to make a real impact on animals and community.

Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews. No phone calls, please — we’ll have our people call your people!