Associate Veterinarian

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Join Our Pack & Pride as an Associate Veterinarian

Competitive Salary Commensurate with Experience | Comprehensive Benefits Package | Full-time, 40 hours/week

Do you believe every animal deserves access to high-quality medical care, regardless of circumstance? Are you energized by shelter medicine, surgery, problem-solving, and working alongside a team committed to saving lives?

If you're a compassionate veterinarian who thrives in a mission-driven environment and wants to make a direct impact on thousands of animals each year, the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) wants you on our team.

Why HSSC?

At HSSC, we're more than a shelter—we're a community-driven movement rooted in compassion, innovation, and lifesaving care. Each year, we support more than 3,000 animals through sheltering, foster programs, adoptions, and community-based services.

Our veterinary team plays a critical role in helping animals heal, recover, and find loving homes. As an Associate Veterinarian, you'll combine shelter medicine, surgery, population health management, and collaborative leadership to improve outcomes for individual animals and the shelter population as a whole.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Practice High-Impact Medicine. Your decisions will directly influence the health and welfare of thousands of animals each year, helping pets move from intake to adoption and supporting positive outcomes across the shelter population.
• Use the Full Scope of Your Skills. This role combines shelter medicine, surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, population health management, and clinical problem-solving—allowing you to practice a broad and rewarding spectrum of veterinary medicine.
• Be Part of a Collaborative Team. Work alongside experienced veterinary professionals, animal care staff, foster caregivers, rescue partners, and volunteers who share a commitment to lifesaving and animal welfare.
• Help Shape the Future of Veterinary Services. Contribute your expertise to medical protocols, staff development, shelter health initiatives, and the continued growth of HSSC's veterinary programs.
• Make a Difference Beyond Individual Patients. Shelter medicine offers a unique opportunity to improve the lives of both individual animals and the larger animal population through thoughtful, evidence-based care.

What the Day Really Looks Like

• Examine & Treat Patients. Perform physical exams, diagnostics, treatment planning, and ongoing medical management for shelter animals.
• Perform Surgery & Dentistry. Conduct spay/neuter procedures, dental treatments, mass removals, and other medically necessary surgeries.
• Lead Medical Rounds. Monitor animal health throughout the shelter, manage infectious disease concerns, and make population-based medical decisions.
• Support Foster & Rescue Partners. Provide medical guidance for foster animals and collaborate with rescue and transfer organizations to expand lifesaving capacity.
• Coach & Educate. Guide veterinary technicians and assistants, provide training as needed, and help staff and volunteers understand medical conditions and treatment plans.
• Maintain Medical Standards. Ensure accurate medical records, adherence to established protocols, and alignment with ASV Guidelines and Fear Free principles.
• Maintain Medical Records. Ensure accurate documentation and treatment tracking using shelter management software.
• Support Rescue & Transfer Partners. Provide medical expertise and services that strengthen community partnerships and expand lifesaving capacity.
• Lead Through Expertise. Guide veterinary technicians and assistants, reinforce medical protocols, and help foster a collaborative, high-performing clinical team.

Requirements:

You're a Perfect Fit If You...

• Hold a DVM degree (or equivalent) with an active Florida veterinary license
• Have strong surgical skills, including spay/neuter procedures for cats and dogs of varying ages and conditions
• Have experience with—or are willing to perform—basic dental procedures and extractions
• Are comfortable working with fearful, fractious, feral, or behaviorally challenged animals
• Understand or are eager to practice shelter medicine and population health principles
• Hold a Fear Free Shelter Certification or are willing to obtain it
• Communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, foster families, and community partners
• Are a collaborative problem-solver who enjoys finding creative solutions for animals in need
• Are passionate about animal welfare and aligned with HSSC's mission and values

The Nuts & Bolts

• Full-time, exempt/salaried position
• Department: Veterinary Services
• Reports to: Medical Director
• Shelter-based environment with frequent animal handling
• Includes surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, and shelter medicine responsibilities
• Works closely with veterinary staff, foster caregivers, volunteers, and rescue partners

Ready to Make a Lifesaving Difference?

If you're looking for a veterinary career where your expertise directly impacts animal welfare, population health, and community lifesaving efforts, we'd love to meet you.

Together, we save lives.