Veterinary Assistant

About the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA)

For more than 150 years, the Humane Rescue Alliance has championed the protection of animals, support for people, and service to the community. With campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, along with the nation's leading pet transport initiative, it stands as the largest and most comprehensive animal services provider in the region. Each year, HRA transforms the lives of tens of thousands of animals through rescue and adoption, humane protection, access to medical care, innovative community programs, and legislative leadership. Its broad reach and deep expertise enable HRA to reimagine traditional sheltering and address the most complex challenges facing animals and the people who love them.

Job Summary

The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), the first unified organization in a major urban area to provide animal welfare programs and services to the community, seeks a veterinary assistant to work with the medical team and provide exceptional care and monitoring to the shelter population, foster animals, and publicly owned animals.


This role will ensure each patient is treated humanely and compassionately and that medical information is shared with clients in a way that is friendly, approachable, and clear, and that it complies with policies and the mission of HRA. A strong candidate will be committed to providing incremental levels of support to owned animals, providing directives based on supervisory recommendations for accessible and improved care in the home and maintenance of the human-animal bond.

The Role: What You'll Do

Animal Care

• Restrain animals for procedures using safe, humane methods.
• Perform minor medical tasks such as administering medications, subcutaneous fluids, vaccinations, and microchips.
• Obtain vital signs, weights, and assess overall condition of patients.
• Assist with anesthesia induction and monitoring recovery under the direction of a technician or veterinarian.
• Provide care for all hospitalized animals including feeding, cleaning, walking, medicating, and monitoring overall health status.
• Perform scheduled treatments for shelter animals and assist with intake of shelter animals.
• Perform tasks such as ear cleanings, nail trims, and general grooming.
• Obtain medical history from foster parents and owners and assist with appointments.
• Maintain communication with veterinarians about animal care and treatment.
• Fill prescriptions.
• Notify behavior team of any animal behavioral needs or concerns.
• Assist with CPR when needed.
• Assist with or perform euthanasia, when required, following certification.
• Assist with capturing radiographs while following OSHA guidelines.
• Collect laboratory samples and prepare for in-house screenings or to be sent to reference laboratory.

Administrative and General Requirements

• Maintain appropriate medical records for shelter and public animals.
• Maintain cleanliness and stock of supplies in medical and surgical areas.
• Maintain and ensure medical equipment is up to date and in good working condition; report repair needs.
• Assist with inventory management.
• Assist in animal transports between all facilities, including driving to other locations as assigned.
• Adhere to departmental procedures and protocols regarding humane care and treatment of animals.
• Follow safety guidelines, maintain a healthy and safe environment for animals and people.
• Take immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, volunteer, or the organization at risk.
• Always represent HRA in a professional and courteous manner. Provide quality service to the public, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of the organization.
• Promote special events, programs, fundraising efforts, and donor opportunities when practical.
• Integrate volunteers and take an active role in their training, integration, safety, performance, and job satisfaction,
• Attend and participate in training programs as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

About You: Skills & Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge of safe and humane animal restraint and handling techniques.

• Knowledge of animal shelter procedures and protocols.
• Knowledge of general animal safety practices, including ability to recognize animal behavior patterns.
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and in a team environment, in an atmosphere of multiple projects, shifting priorities, and deadline pressures. Ability to be flexible, detail oriented and able to prioritize.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a customer service orientation. Ability to communicate effectively, courteously, and professionally with a variety of individuals representing the public, board members, volunteers, donors, and employees.
• A team-oriented and collaborative approach to work, with an ability to bring out the best in peers. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively to gather information from colleagues.
• Computer literacy with proficient use of programs including Microsoft Office programs, email, Internet, and database management software to efficiently accomplish work.
• Passion for the HRA mission, and for caring for all animals regardless of age, breed, temperament, or species, and supporting and educating members of the public, free of judgment or bias.
• Ability to work weeknights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, over 50 pounds assisted.
• Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, wildlife.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity on daily basis, including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, standing, squatting, bending.
• Due to nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile, irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, sights; extreme temperatures.
• Minimum of one year paid clinical experience and/or shelter experience.

Qualifications - Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Animal shelter experience preferred.

Benefits Overview: Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA)

At the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees so they can continue making a meaningful impact for animals and the community. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.

Benefits include:

• $0-Cost Medical Plan Option: Access to a no-cost employee-only medical plan through CareFirst, making healthcare more accessible and affordable
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Multiple plan options available to meet individual and family needs
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax options to help manage healthcare and dependent care expenses
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Support: Administered through Empower, with tools and resources to help you plan for your future
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Including vacation, sick leave, and holidays to support rest and work-life balance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential resources to support mental health, wellness, and life challenges
• Commuter Benefits (WMATA SmartBenefits): Pre-tax transit benefits for metro, bus, and eligible commuting expenses
• Professional Development & Training Opportunities: Including Fear Free Certification and ongoing learning initiatives to support career growth
• Flexible Work Environment (Role-Dependent): Opportunities for hybrid or flexible scheduling based on position and operational needs
• Employee Discounts & Perks: Discounts on pet adoptions, veterinary products, and partner offerings

The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, vision, dental and select offerings for pets. Additional information may be provided upon request.

Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing.


HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.