Veterinarian, Cruelty Recovery Center

Summary

Are you a dedicated shelter veterinarian passionate about delivering high-quality medical care to animals in need? Are you energized by collaborating with operations and behavior experts to optimize the overall well‑being of animals? Do you thrive in a dynamic and complex environment, where colleagues collaborate to provide comprehensive care for animals while advancing knowledge in our field? If so, the role of Veterinarian at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) might be right for you!

Who We Are

At the Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Columbus, Ohio, a dedicated team of sheltering, veterinary and animal behavior staff work together to care for animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses. This team works closely with the ASPCA’s National Field & Disaster Response (NFDR), Forensic Sciences, Legal Advocacy, Criminal Practice & Investigations, Behavioral Sciences (BST) and Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) teams to ensure well‑coordinated operations and high‑quality, collaborative care for animal victims of neglect, abuse and natural disasters. The CRC team also provides care for animals housed in ASPCA temporary field shelters.

What You’ll Do

Veterinarians at the Cruelty Recovery Center will play a critical role on this team ensuring a high quality of care and timely treatment decisions for all animals. They will collaborate with the Senior Director, Veterinary Services (SDVS) and current CRC Veterinarians to provide veterinary care for all animals on‑site and must be able to quickly adjust focus and shift priorities based on patient and operational needs. The Veterinarian will also support the Forensic Sciences team in the examination, documentation, and collection of evidence from victims of animal cruelty. The Veterinarian will be providing care for animals housed at the CRC facility and animals housed in temporary shelters, based upon the current needs of the National Field & Disaster Response team.

When & Where You’ll Work

• This position is based at the ASPCA Cruelty Recover Center (CRC), located in Columbus, OH.
• Ability to travel regularly and with little advance notice in support of National Field & Disaster Response, up to 15% of work time, is required for this position.
• Regular schedules are flexible between 4 10‑hour shifts or 5 8‑hour shifts and will include one weekend day. Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, long days and weekends, when required. Schedules are subject to change at the sole discretion of the ASPCA.

What You’ll Get

Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

• The target hiring range for this role is $123,000-$142,000 annually.

This position is eligible for a signing bonus and/or relocation assistance.

Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage , including medical, employer‑paid dental, and optional vision coverage.

• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.

• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.

• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching and mentorship with industry‑leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

Responsibilities

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include, but are not limited to:

Veterinary Care and Clinical Case Management

• Provide timely, high‑quality veterinary care to dogs, cats, and other species as needed, in accordance with ASPCA medical protocols and shelter medicine principles and best practices at the CRC and in temporary shelters
• Monitor the health and welfare of the shelter population, identify potential disease outbreaks, and implement appropriate mitigation measures. Ensure appropriate use of quarantine and isolation spaces to manage individual patient needs and protect population health effectively
• Provide skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients with timely recognition of medical conditions requiring care through outside veterinary partners. Work with partner veterinary hospitals as needed, including referring animals for advanced workups and specialty care. Ensure animals receive medical exams upon admission and are provided with ongoing care as appropriate, whether on‑site, in foster homes, boarding facilities, or other off‑site locations; ensure veterinary care provided is aligned with, and contributes to, timely decisions and efficient outcomes for animals once ownership is obtained
• Complete certificates of veterinary inspection, as appropriate, for transfer of animals between facilities and/or placement of animals released from care
• Safely and efficiently perform sterilization surgeries, other common soft tissue surgeries, and dental extractions
• Direct and manage the treatment of in‑house intensive care patients including those with infectious diseases
• Perform humane euthanasia following disposition decisions and/or in the event of urgent medical need, sometimes for a large number of animals at a time

• Obtain relevant continuing education as required by the ASPCA and state licensing boards. Remain current on best practices in shelter medicine

Collaboration and Administration

• Regularly participate in MBS population rounds with behavioral and sheltering staff: review medical concern boards and collaborate in the moment to ensure timely delivery of integrated care
• Closely collaborate with other teams including but not limited to Sheltering, Behavior, Criminal Practice & Investigations and Forensic Sciences to ensure the overall well‑being of each animal, to effectively share information in a timely fashion with relevant stakeholders, and to ensure that decision‑making regarding treatment and outcome of each animal is informed by all relevant considerations (medical, behavioral and legal status)
• Communicate regularly with other branches using objective language and established communication systems to inform and advise regarding medical conditions of animals at the shelter and in foster care, including outbreaks of infectious disease
• Participate in pathway planning to ensure appropriate and timely disposition decisions that consider animals’ physical, medical, social and behavioral needs collectively, for animals on‑site as well as those housed at off‑site locations
• Regularly attend Veterinary Services team and leadership meetings as well as appropriate interdepartmental and all‑staff meetings
• Maintain accurate and thorough medical documentation in accordance with principles of medical record‑keeping, document all exam findings, test results, and treatments. Produce administrative reports and communicate animal status updates as needed
• Utilize appropriate chain of custody, evidence transfer and disposition procedure for forensic evidence

• Assist in developing and delivering staff training in all areas of sheltering best practices including preventive care, disease outbreak management, and proper use of PPE
• Competently and compassionately explain animals’ conditions to staff and responders with easily understood language. Provide mentorship for student externs and other potential teaching opportunities
• Assist in development and implementation of medical protocols and standards of care
• Follow, enforce, and provide input to all CRC and ASPCA protocols and procedures (e.g. information sheets, data sheets, etc.)

• Model a standard of continual commitment to improvement in all aspects of CRC care and handling of dogs, cats, and other species
• Practice and model low‑stress handling techniques to minimize animal fear, anxiety and stress

Field and Temporary Shelter Work

• Deploy as medical lead to criminal scenes, natural disasters, and temporary field shelters directing the veterinary care and supporting collaboration with operations and behavior branch leadership
• Represent the CRC veterinary voice in temporary shelters by directing veterinary care and participating in daily leadership meetings.
• Provide oversight of veterinary responders to ensure adequate communication and facilitate continuity of care; partner with sheltering and behavior branches to provide integrated care as a unified team.

• Assist with planning of small- and large‑scale case responses and participate in assessment and management of these case animals in the field and on criminal scenes
• Support the collection of evidence and documentation of examinations of live and deceased victims of animal cruelty

• Understand Incident Command System (ICS) and adhere to chain of command during deployments
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director, Veterinary Services

Education and Work Experience

• Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college required
• Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Ohio or eligible for licensure; must obtain license within 60 days of hire; Willing and able to maintain veterinary licenses in multiple states to support field work
• Minimum 1 year of clinical experience as a veterinarian working primarily or exclusively with dogs and cats
• Clinical shelter medicine experience preferred
• Clinical experience with poultry, horses, and other species a plus
• Fear Free® and Fear Free Shelters certified or completed within 60 days of employment

• USDA Category 2 accredited in Ohio or obtained within 6 months of employment

• Knowledge of and experience working within Incident Command System (ICS) structure preferred; completion of IC​S 100, IC​S 200, IS0010.a, IS0011.a, and IS0700.b training courses within 3 months of employment

Qualifications

• Strong interest in shelter medicine, forensics, legal cases and disaster response required
• Possess sound clinical judgement and resiliency to make end‑of‑life decisions for patients and to coach and support staff and volunteers regarding those decisions
• Comfortable with humane euthanasia in theory and in practice
• Able to witness animal suffering medically and/or behaviorally
• Demonstrated ability in low‑stress animal handling and restraint
• Possess critical thinking and multitasking skills; able to quickly and calmly adjust focus and shift priorities based on patient and operational need. Can easily adapt to changes and help others to do the same
• Resilient, bounces back from difficult and disappointing situations quickly
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality when dealing with criminal cases
• Builds strong work relationships based on trust, respect, and listening to understand. Fosters collaboration by creating strong connections with colleagues at all levels and in all areas. Demonstrates genuine interest in the thoughts, ideas, and expertise of others

• Able to work on a team as well as independently; ability to lead as well as follow instructions. Able to set a clear direction and inspire others to work towards shared goals
• Cultivates a climate in which diverse perspectives are solicited, encouraged, valued, and respected. Unafraid of hard conversations and approaches them openly and kindly
• Sets a high standard by modeling transparency, integrity, honesty, and strong ethical principles. Views conflict as an opportunity to improve communication, clarify and articulate values, and build stronger relationships
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office and email; familiarity with Salesforce and shelter software systems a plus

• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; able to work standing for 8 or more hours and bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially dangerous and/or medically compromised animals in stressful conditions
• Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and able to wear appropriate protective gear, including a protective mask. Job responsibilities may entail exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood, exposure to sharp objects, working in noisy environments and working in areas with uneven, wet and slippery surfaces

Language

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience

Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required)

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About Us

The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not‑for‑profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full‑service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on‑ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Our EEO Policy

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Applicant Notices

Applicants have rights under federal employment laws: Equal Employment Opportunity; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Candidates residing in AZ, CA, CO, Flagstaff (AZ), IL, IN, Los Angeles (CA), Los Angeles County (CA), MA, ME, ND, NJ, NM, NYC, OR, Philadelphia (PA), RI, San Francisco (CA), TN, and WI should click here for additional information about general applicant notices.