Shelter Veterinarian
Description
ABOUT OUR CITY
Located in the heart of beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida, Friends of Strays Animal Shelter is proud to serve a vibrant, diverse community known for its warm weather, artistic charm, and strong sense of local pride. St. Pete is a city where creativity thrives — from stunning murals and museums to eclectic neighborhoods and pet-friendly parks. With award-winning beaches just minutes away and a lively downtown full of cafes, small businesses, and community events, it’s an ideal place to live, work, and give back.
OUR WORK ENVIRONMENT
Friends of Strays is more than a shelter - we’re a mission-driven team passionate about improving the lives of animals and the people who love them. Our workplace is fast-paced, collaborative, and full of heart. Annually, we help more than 1,800 pets find new homes and more than 2,600 community cats live better lives. We step in to save the ones others won’t: neonatal kittens, heartworm-positive dogs, FeLV+ cats, seniors, community cats through TNVR, and more. No two days are alike here, and each day brings its own victories and challenges. We value compassion, adaptability, and resilience, and we support our team with empathy, teamwork, and a shared belief in the work we do. If you’re looking for a purpose-filled career where you’ll be surrounded by dedicated colleagues (and lots of wagging tails), you’ll feel right at home here.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Coordinates and contributes to shelter medical operations and ensures sound veterinary medical practices
- Performs high volume spay and neuter surgeries (30+/day), ideally within a 4 hour time period
- Sees appointments, examines shelter pets and performs medical casework and treatments for community cats and shelter pets
- Educates clients and staff on the proper care of animals
- Maintains proper medical documentation in shelter software system; enters exam notes and ensures records are complete and accurate
- Promotes a positive attitude in the workplace
- Promotes humane attitudes towards the care and treatment of animals through education and example
- Ensures appropriate medication is administered by veterinary staff as directed
- Participates in community outreach events in underserved neighborhoods
- Collaborates with animal welfare partners to improve local no-kill status
- Advises, performs, or oversees euthanasia
- Provides on-call services for shelter animal emergencies
- Promotes sterilization, vaccination, and microchipping of owned animals in an effort to reduce pet overpopulation
- Keeps up-to-date on product knowledge and actively engages in product sales
- Maintains appropriate licensing and completes required continuing education courses
- Adheres to state regulations and organizational protocol regarding animal care, treatment, advocacy, and the mission of FOS
- Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk
- Communicates directly with the Medical Director, Shelter Director, Assistant Shelter Director and CEO with regard to the care of all shelter animals
- Identifies and helps to resolve ethics issues
- Treats people and animals with respect; contributes to effective teamwork; promotes intra- and inter-departmental cooperation; and fosters public relations beneficial to FOS
Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
Qualifications
- Current license in the State of Florida to practice veterinary medicine
- Current DEA license
- Maintenance of malpractice insurance
- Minimum of two years’ experience in shelter medicine with high volume spay/neuter experience
- Ability to work well within frenetic nature of shelter environment
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Proven organizational, time management, and planning skills required
- Ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers, and community in a professional, pleasant, and respectful manner at all times
- Maturity with ability to use good judgment and display a professional manner
- Good analytical skills and ability to identify and access department issues/opportunities. Enjoys problem solving within existing resources; does not rely on additional dollars to resolve problems
Track record of fostering a positive work environment. Be viewed as a motivator and leader. Experience in molding and developing staff into a cohesive team while holding individuals and work units accountable for their results
How to Apply
Email resume and cover letter to Dara Worthington, CEO, Friends of Strays for consideration.