Veterinary Assistant

Summer Street Cat Clinic - Buffalo; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 48,712,000 - 63,039,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K Plan with Employer Match

Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays

Generous employee pet care discounts

Quiet, dog-free work environment

Job summary

Summer Street Cat Clinic is seeking a veterinary assistant for an exciting opportunity at Western New York’s Original Cat-Exclusive hospital. We pride ourselves on providing the highest standard of care to our feline patients, building strong, lasting relationships with our loyal clientele.

Two convenient locations: Buffalo, NY (downtown) and Getzville, NY (Amherst area). Join a close-knit, cat-focused team dedicated to compassionate care and client education.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience in a veterinary setting or animal care environment.
• Passion for cats and understanding of feline behavior, body language and needs.
• Soft skills: Strong communication, patience, empathy, and active teamwork.
• Physical requirements: Ability to stand for long periods, bend, and lift/carry up to 40 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Handle felines safely using gentle, low-stress, and fear-free restraint techniques for exams and procedures.
• Lab prep support: collect and prep urine, fecal, and blood samples for in-house or reference lab testing.
• Surgery support: clean, wrap, and sterilize instruments, and prep treatment or surgical areas.
• Restock supplies: keep exam rooms, treatment areas, and wards stocked with medical supplies.
• Sanitize areas: disinfect exam rooms between appointments, clean cages, and maintain infection control protocols.
• Educate owners: explain post-care instructions, medication administration, and feline wellness tips.

Skills

Low-stress handling

Strong communication

Patience

Empathy

Teamwork

Feline care

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Title: Veterinary Assistant (Feline-Only Practice)

Summer Street Cat Clinic is seeking a veterinary assistant for an exciting opportunity at Western New York’s Original Cat-Exclusive hospital! We pride ourselves on providing the highest standard of care to our feline patients, building strong, lasting relationships with our loyal clientele. With over 40 years of history, our clinic has become a trusted name in the community, supported by a caring, experienced, and supportive team.

We are looking for a compassionate, detail-oriented Veterinary Assistant to join our team. You will support our veterinarians and technicians by providing low-stress handling for our feline patients, maintaining a pristine hospital environment, and delivering exceptional customer service to cat owners.

Key Responsibilities

Patient Care & Handling

• Handle felines safely: Use gentle, low-stress, and fear-free restraint techniques for exams, blood drawing, and medical procedures.

Clinical & Laboratory Support

• Lab prep support: Collect and prep urine, fecal, and blood samples for in-house or reference lab testing.
• Surgery support: Clean, wrap, and sterilize surgical instruments, and prep treatment or surgical areas.
• Restock supplies: Keep exam rooms, treatment areas, and wards fully stocked with medical supplies.

Hospital Cleanliness & Safety

• Sanitize areas: Disinfect exam rooms between appointments, clean cages, and maintain strict infection control protocols.
• General upkeep: Handle clinic laundry, wash food/water bowls, and sweep or mop floors throughout the shift.

Client Communication

• Educate owners: Help explain post-care instructions, medication administration, and general feline wellness tips.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience working in a veterinary setting or animal care environment.
• Passion for cats: A genuine love and deep understanding of feline behavior, body language, and unique medical needs.
• Soft skills: Strong communication, patience, empathy, and active teamwork.
• Physical requirements: Ability to stand for long periods, bend, and lift/carry up to 40 pounds safely.

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience. ($17-$22)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• 401K Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Generous employee pet care discounts.
• A quiet, dog-free work environment focused purely on cats!

Why Join Us?

• If you are passionate about cats and are interested in joining a team of highly devoted feline advocates, our hospital may be the right fit for you.
• Two Convenient Locations: Buffalo, NY (downtown) and Getzville, NY (Amherst area).
• Close-Knit Team: Be part of a small, family-oriented clinic where everyone knows each other. Many of our employees have been with us for decades!
• Community Involvement: Take part in local parades, fundraisers for the Pet Emergency Fund, and build strong relationships with both clients and the community.
• Client Loyalty: Our clients have been with us since the clinic's opening, trusting us with their cats’ health for over 40 years.
• Join a team where you're more than just a number – you are part of the family. Build lasting relationships with a small team and a loyal client base that appreciates the unique cat care we offer.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life.

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.