Feline-Only Veterinarian Full-Time or Part-Time

Feline-Only Veterinarian Full-Time or Part-Time

The Cat Practice is hiring a full-time or part-time veterinarian to join our feline-only hospital in the historic Lower Garden District of New Orleans.

For more than 40 years, our hospital has focused exclusively on cats. The environment, equipment, appointment flow, and team training are designed around feline health, behavior, comfort, and safety. Experienced veterinarians and new graduates who want to build deeper expertise in feline medicine are encouraged to apply.

What Makes Feline Only Practice Different

• A fully feline caseload gives you the opportunity to develop meaningful expertise in the medical, behavioral, nutritional, dental, and preventive needs of cats throughout every stage of life.
• Our Cat Friendly Practice Gold environment is calm and quiet, without mixed-species traffic. The team is trained in feline behavior, low-stress handling, and recognizing the subtle ways cats show pain or illness.
• Clients choose The Cat Practice because they want a veterinarian who understands cats. You can build lasting relationships with engaged owners who value education, careful communication, and individualized recommendations.
• The caseload extends well beyond wellness visits. Our doctors manage chronic kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, osteoarthritis, dental disease, senior care, pain management, internal medicine, and surgery through a feline-specific lens.

What to Expect

• Time for thoughtful medicine. Appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes, and doctors typically see 812 patients per day. The schedule includes a protected lunch break from noon to 1:00 p.m.
• A schedule with clear expectations. Current hospital hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As the practice grows, weekday hours may extend to 5:30 or 6:00 p.m., and this position will include at least two Saturdays per month.
• Limited after-hours responsibility. There are no ER or after-hours emergency shifts. Doctors share limited weekend coverage for boarding patients and are rarely contacted.
• Experienced feline support. Our technicians understand feline behavior, anesthesia, dentistry, diagnostics, and patient comfort. They work closely with each doctor so appointments and procedures remain efficient without rushing patients.
• A small and collaborative team. You will work closely with our Medical Director, Practice Manager, and support team. Because the hospital is small, your ideas and contributions will have a visible impact as the practice grows.
• Gold-standard care with clinical autonomy. Doctors collaborate on cases and treatment plans while retaining appropriate medical autonomy. Complex surgeries and critical cases are referred when the patient needs resources or expertise beyond what we can provide in-house.
• Compensation that reflects your work. The compensation model includes a guaranteed base salary plus 20% production, calculated and paid monthly.
• Comprehensive benefits. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, a 401(k) with employer match, CE allowance, and license and DEA reimbursement. Doctors also receive a pet-care discount, two sets of scrubs during the first year, and 10 days of PTO in the first year. The hospital is closed on major holidays.
• Long-term growth through VPP. Veterinary Practice Partners provides operational, marketing, financial, and leadership resources, along with leadership development and potential partnership opportunities across its network.

A Hospital Designed Around Cats

The Cat Practice is a Cat Friendly Practice Gold clinic. The hospital uses a quiet environment, feline-specific equipment, ongoing staff education, and handling techniques designed to reduce fear and stress during examinations and procedures.

Our historic building includes two exam rooms, a treatment area, an isolation space, a surgical suite, a dental station, and individual recovery areas. Equipment includes digital radiography, digital dental radiography, ultrasound, therapeutic laser, EKG, IDEXX in-house laboratory equipment, high-speed dental equipment, modern anesthesia monitoring, and electronic medical records through Cornerstone.

Doctors provide preventive and diagnostic care from kittenhood through the senior years, along with chronic disease management, pain management, dentistry, and surgery. Common procedures include spays, neuters, mass removals, and extensive feline dentistry.

Mentorship and Professional Growth

New graduates are welcome and do not need to arrive as feline experts. Dr. Holly Dodson, our Medical Director and primary mentor, is an LSU School of Veterinary Medicine graduate who received an award recognizing her proficiency and interest in feline medicine and surgery.

• Mentorship is adjusted to the doctor's experience and confidence. A new graduate can expect:
• Time to shadow appointments and learn the hospital's workflow before building an independent caseload
• Longer appointment times and daily access to Dr. Dodson for questions and case discussions
• Hands-on guidance during surgery, dentistry, and complex cases
• Regular feedback, clear milestones, and additional training when needed
• In-house education, continuing education support, VPP Academy, and access to a broader veterinary community

Experienced veterinarians will have the autonomy to practice confidently while retaining a trusted colleague for collaboration on challenging cases.

Why Work in New Orleans

The Cat Practice is located at Magazine and Felicity Streets in the Lower Garden District. Magazine Street runs through the Lower Garden District, Garden District, and Uptown, offering a walkable mix of locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, art galleries, bakeries, music venues, and historic homes.

Outside of work, New Orleans offers:

• A nationally recognized food scene and live music ranging from jazz and brass bands to blues and rock
• Mardi Gras, neighborhood festivals, cultural celebrations, art markets, museums, theaters, and professional sports
• Historic architecture, oak-lined streets, streetcars, parks, and the Mississippi River
• Convenient travel through Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, approximately 20 minutes from the hospital

Who Will Thrive Here

The right veterinarian will be genuinely interested in working exclusively with cats and developing deeper knowledge of feline medicine. A warm, confident communicator who can guide engaged clients through clear medical recommendations will fit well with our team.

Experience with feline dentistry or routine soft-tissue surgery would be valuable but is not required. We are willing to mentor the right doctor in dentistry, surgery, chronic disease management, senior care, and preventive medicine.

Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or VMD degree from an accredited institution
• Valid veterinary license in Louisiana or eligibility to obtain one
• A genuine interest in feline medicine and compassionate, individualized care
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach with clients and team members
• Willingness to work at least two Saturdays per month as the hospital expands its hours

About The Cat Practice

The Cat Practice is a full-service, feline-only veterinary hospital that has served New Orleans since 1984. Located in a historic building in the Lower Garden District, we combine advanced medicine with a calm environment created specifically for cats. Our team shares a commitment to feline medicine, strong client relationships, and making every patient feel safe and understood.

We are dedicated to establishing a culture that celebrates all forms of diversity and allows us to be an inclusive service provider in this community.