Veterinarian, Cruelty Recovery Center

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals • Columbus, OH

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinarian at the ASPCA Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) provides high-quality medical care and timely treatment decisions for animals rescued in national cruelty cases and disaster responses. Working collaboratively with veterinary, sheltering, behavior, forensic, legal, and field-response teams, the veterinarian cares for animals at the CRC in Columbus, Ohio, as well as in temporary field shelters and other off-site locations. The role requires adapting priorities to patient and operational needs and supporting the examination, documentation, and evidence collection related to animal cruelty cases.

The veterinarian provides clinical case management for dogs, cats, and other species; supports population health and disease prevention; performs surgeries and dental extractions; manages intensive-care patients; and conducts humane euthanasia when indicated. The role also includes deployment to criminal scenes, disasters, and temporary shelters as a veterinary lead, along with staff training, mentorship, medical documentation, protocol development, and coordination of animal care and disposition decisions.

The position is based at the ASPCA Cruelty Recovery Center in Columbus, Ohio. Regular schedules are flexible between four 10-hour shifts or five 8-hour shifts and include one weekend day. Flexible hours, long days, and weekends may be required. Regular travel with little advance notice, up to 15% of work time, is required. The position offers a target hiring salary range of $123,000–$142,000 annually and is eligible for a signing bonus and/or relocation assistance.

Requirements

• Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary college.
• Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Ohio or eligible for licensure; obtain an Ohio license within 60 days of hire.
• Willingness and ability to maintain veterinary licenses in multiple states to support field work.
• At least 1 year of clinical experience as a veterinarian working primarily or exclusively with dogs and cats.
• Fear Free® and Fear Free Shelters certification, or completion within 60 days of employment.
• USDA Category 2 accreditation in Ohio, or obtain it within 6 months of employment.
• Strong interest in shelter medicine, forensics, legal cases, and disaster response.
• Sound clinical judgment and resilience in making end-of-life decisions and supporting staff and volunteers through those decisions.
• Comfort with humane euthanasia in theory and practice, and ability to witness animal suffering medically or behaviorally.
• Demonstrated low-stress animal handling and restraint skills.
• Critical-thinking and multitasking skills, with the ability to calmly adjust priorities based on patient and operational needs and help others adapt to changes.
• Resilience in responding to difficult and disappointing situations.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality when dealing with criminal cases.
• Ability to build trusting, respectful working relationships; listen to understand; and collaborate with colleagues at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and on a team, lead when needed, follow instructions, set direction, and inspire others toward shared goals.
• Ability to foster an environment that welcomes and respects diverse perspectives and to approach difficult conversations openly and kindly.
• Transparency, integrity, honesty, and strong ethical principles; ability to use conflict to improve communication and relationships.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office and email.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; stand for 8 or more hours; and bend, crouch, kneel, and move freely while handling potentially dangerous or medically compromised animals.
• Ability to work occasionally in physically challenging conditions and wear appropriate protective gear, including a protective mask.
• Ability to work around potential chemical and biological hazards, feces, blood, sharp objects, noise, and uneven, wet, or slippery surfaces.
• English language proficiency required.

Nice To Haves

• Clinical shelter medicine experience.
• Clinical experience with poultry, horses, and other species.
• Knowledge of and experience working within the Incident Command System (ICS) structure.
• Completion of ICS 100, ICS 200, IS0010.a, IS0011.a, and IS0700.b training courses within 3 months of employment.
• Familiarity with Salesforce and shelter software systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, high-quality veterinary care to dogs, cats, and other species at the CRC and in temporary shelters, following ASPCA medical protocols and shelter medicine best practices.
• Monitor shelter population health and welfare, identify potential disease outbreaks, and implement mitigation measures, including appropriate use of quarantine and isolation spaces.
• Diagnose and treat patients, recognize conditions requiring outside veterinary care, and coordinate referrals and advanced or specialty care with partner veterinary hospitals.
• Ensure animals receive admission exams and appropriate ongoing care at on-site and off-site locations, including foster homes and boarding facilities.
• Complete certificates of veterinary inspection when needed for animal transfers or release from care.
• Perform sterilization and other common soft-tissue surgeries and dental extractions safely and efficiently.
• Direct and manage in-house intensive-care patients, including animals with infectious diseases.
• Perform humane euthanasia following disposition decisions or in urgent medical situations, including situations involving large numbers of animals.
• Maintain required continuing education and stay current on shelter medicine best practices.
• Participate in population rounds with behavioral and sheltering staff and collaborate to deliver integrated, timely care.
• Coordinate with sheltering, behavior, criminal practice and investigations, forensic sciences, and other teams to support animal well-being, information sharing, and informed treatment and outcome decisions.
• Communicate animal medical conditions and infectious disease concerns to other branches using objective language and established systems.
• Participate in pathway planning and disposition decisions that account for animals’ physical, medical, social, and behavioral needs.
• Attend Veterinary Services, leadership, interdepartmental, and all-staff meetings as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, thorough medical records, including examination findings, test results, and treatments; prepare administrative reports and status updates as needed.
• Follow chain-of-custody, evidence-transfer, and disposition procedures for forensic evidence.
• Help develop and deliver staff training on sheltering best practices, preventive care, disease outbreak management, and proper PPE use.
• Explain animal conditions compassionately and clearly to staff and responders; mentor student externs and participate in teaching opportunities.
• Assist with developing and implementing medical protocols and standards of care; follow, enforce, and provide input on CRC and ASPCA procedures.
• Model continual improvement and low-stress handling techniques to minimize animal fear, anxiety, and stress.
• Deploy as medical lead to criminal scenes, natural disasters, and temporary field shelters, directing veterinary care and collaborating with operations and behavior leadership.
• Represent the CRC veterinary function in temporary shelters, lead veterinary care, participate in daily leadership meetings, and oversee veterinary responders to support communication and continuity of care.
• Assist with planning small- and large-scale case responses and assess and manage case animals in the field and at criminal scenes.
• Support examination documentation and evidence collection for live and deceased victims of animal cruelty.
• Understand and follow Incident Command System (ICS) structure and chain of command during deployments.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Senior Director, Veterinary Services.

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off, including vacation, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company-paid holidays, and paid personal time off.
• 401(k) plan with dollar-for-dollar employer matching up to 4%, plus an additional 4% employer contribution each year.
• Professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support field work.
• Signing bonus and/or relocation assistance eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree