Veterinarian

Palmetto Animal League; Bluffton (SC); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Licensing reimbursement

Liability insurance reimbursement

PSLF eligibility

No weekend shifts

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Palmetto Animal League in South Carolina seeks a Veterinarian to provide comprehensive medical and surgical care for shelter animals and community clinic patients. The role blends shelter medicine, private practice, and nonprofit advocacy to improve animal welfare.

The Veterinarian will lead preventive medicine, diagnostics, general surgery, and high‑quality spay/neuter programs while collaborating with kennel staff, contract vets, and leadership to uphold exceptional standards of patient care

Qualifications

• DVM/VMD degree from an accredited veterinary school or equivalent.
• Current or eligibility for veterinary licensure in South Carolina.
• Strong clinical skills in small animal medicine, diagnostics, and treatment planning.
• Experience performing routine high-quality surgical procedures (canine/feline) in fast-paced settings.
• Ability to make sound medical decisions independently within a team.
• Strong communication, organizational, and medical record-keeping skills.
• Commitment to humane animal handling and infection prevention.
• DEA registration eligibility and willingness to obtain federal veterinary accreditation.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide and oversee comprehensive medical and surgical care for shelter and clinic animals.
• Perform routine spay/neuter, dental, and other surgeries with anesthesia oversight.
• Oversee vaccination programs, parasite prevention, and wellness screenings.
• Develop and monitor medical protocols for shelter animal care and disease management.
• Collaborate with staff, technicians, and leadership to maintain high standards of patient care.
• Maintain accurate medical records and coordinate referrals for specialized care.
• Educate adopters and staff on preventive healthcare and welfare.

Skills

DVM/VMD

SC licensure eligibility

Small animal medicine

Surgical procedures (canine/feline)

DEA registration eligibility

Driver's license

Communication skills

Medical record-keeping

Infection prevention

Education

DVM / VMD degree

Job description

Veterinarian – Salaried or Hourly Opportunities

Starting Salary: $180,000 annually | Hourly Rate: Starting at $95/hour

Palmetto Animal League (PAL) is a private, nonprofit animal welfare organization located in the beautiful Lowcountry of coastal South Carolina, near Hilton Head Island. Our mission is to build a community where every neglected animal has a second chance at life.

PAL operates a progressive, modern adoption center and community veterinary clinic dedicated to providing compassionate sheltering, high-quality veterinary medicine, affordable veterinary services, and animal welfare advocacy.

We are seeking a passionate, skilled, and compassionate Veterinarian to join our team. This is a unique opportunity to combine the best aspects of shelter medicine, private practice, and nonprofit advocacy while making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them.

Position Overview

The Veterinarian will provide and oversee comprehensive medical and surgical care for animals residing at PAL's adoption center and patients receiving services through our community veterinary clinic.

Working collaboratively with PAL leadership, veterinary technicians, shelter staff, and contract veterinarians, the successful candidate will help ensure high standards of medical care, promote efficient use of clinic resources, and support PAL's mission of improving animal welfare.

This position offers a diverse and rewarding clinical experience, including preventive medicine, diagnostics, general surgery, high-quality spay/neuter procedures, and the management of medical conditions in shelter and privately owned animals.

Key Responsibilities

• Medical and Surgical Care: Perform physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries, develop treatment plans, and provide comprehensive medical care for shelter animals and community clinic patients.
• Surgical Services: Perform routine spay/neuter procedures, dental procedures, and other general practice surgeries, overseeing anesthesia, surgical care, and postoperative recovery.
• Preventive Medicine: Oversee vaccination programs, parasite prevention and control, wellness screenings, nutrition, and preventive healthcare protocols.
• Shelter Medicine: Develop, implement, and monitor medical protocols for infectious disease management, sanitation, animal housing, emergency care, and pre-adoption health assessments.
• Clinical Leadership: Collaborate with veterinary technicians, shelter personnel, contract veterinarians, and organizational leadership to maintain high standards of patient care, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Medical Records and Compliance: Maintain accurate and comprehensive medical records, including diagnoses, treatments, surgical procedures, and patient outcomes.
• Veterinary Coordination: Coordinate referrals and outside veterinary resources for specialized procedures and treatments not available at PAL.
• Community Education: Provide guidance to adopters, pet owners, staff, and volunteers on responsible pet ownership, preventive healthcare, and animal welfare.
• Quality Improvement: Support the development and implementation of efficient clinical practices that maximize available resources while maintaining exceptional standards of veterinary medicine.

Qualifications

Required:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) degree from an accredited veterinary school or equivalent.
• Current or eligibility for veterinary licensure in South Carolina.
• Strong clinical skills in small animal medicine, diagnostics, and treatment planning.
• Experience performing routine high-quality surgical procedures, including canine and feline sterilizations in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to make sound medical decisions independently while working effectively within a collaborative team.
• Strong communication, organizational, and medical record‑keeping skills.
• Commitment to humane animal handling, infection prevention, and high‑quality patient care.
• Eligibility for DEA registration and willingness to obtain required federal veterinary accreditation.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred:

• Experience in shelter medicine, nonprofit veterinary practice, or high‑quality, high‑volume spay/neuter programs.
• Proficiency in general practice surgery, dentistry, and basic emergency care.
• Experience developing clinical protocols and supervising veterinary support staff.
• Familiarity with veterinary practice management or shelter software.
• A strong commitment to animal welfare, lifesaving initiatives, and enthusiasm for shelter medicine.

Compensation and Benefits

PAL offers competitive compensation, flexible employment options, and a schedule designed to support a healthy work‑life balance.

• Salaried Veterinarian: Starting at $180,000 annually, with higher compensation based on experience and qualifications.
• Hourly Veterinarian: Starting at $95 per hour, based on experience and qualifications.
• Premium Surgical Compensation: Veterinarians trained and experienced in high-quality, high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter techniques are eligible for a higher hourly rate for surgical hours.
• Work‑Life Balance: Clinic operates Monday through Friday, with no weekend shifts or on‑call responsibilities.
• Reimbursement for professional licensing and veterinary liability insurance.
• Insurance reimbursement opportunities.
• Potential eligibility for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• The opportunity to practice a broad range of veterinary medicine while making a direct and meaningful impact on animal welfare.

Why Join PAL?

At PAL, veterinary medicine is about more than treating patients. It is about saving lives, keeping pets healthy, supporting families, and creating lasting change in the community.

Our veterinarians have the opportunity to practice diverse, rewarding medicine in a supportive nonprofit environment that values professional judgment, teamwork, and work‑life balance.

Live and Work in South Carolina's Beautiful Lowcountry

Located near Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Savannah, Georgia, PAL offers access to beautiful beaches, coastal waterways, boating, kayaking, world‑class golf, outstanding restaurants, and a welcoming community. Enjoy the area's relaxed coastal lifestyle while pursuing a career with purpose.

Join Palmetto Animal League and use your veterinary expertise to give animals a second chance at life.

Palmetto Animal League is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace.