Veterinarian, Cruelty Recovery Center

ASPCA • Columbus, OH

6d • $123,000 - $142,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinarian at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Columbus, Ohio, provides high-quality veterinary care and timely treatment decisions for animals rescued in national cruelty cases and disaster responses. The role collaborates with CRC veterinarians, sheltering and behavior staff, and ASPCA teams including National Field & Disaster Response, Forensic Sciences, Legal Advocacy, Criminal Practice & Investigations, Behavioral Sciences, and Shelter Medicine Services. Care is provided at the CRC, in temporary field shelters, and in other off-site settings as needed.

The Veterinarian manages clinical cases and population health, performs surgeries and dental extractions, oversees intensive care, supports forensic examination and evidence collection, and contributes to informed disposition decisions. The position also supports staff training, protocol development, mentorship, and coordinated response planning. Regular schedules are flexible between four 10-hour shifts and five 8-hour shifts and include one weekend day. The role requires flexibility to work long days and weekends when needed and travel with little advance notice for National Field & Disaster Response, up to 15% of work time.

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 coaching and supporting staff and volunteers regarding those decisions.
• Comfort with humane euthanasia in theory and practice, and ability to witness animal suffering medically or behaviorally.
• Demonstrated ability in low-stress animal handling and restraint.
• Critical thinking and multitasking skills, including the ability to calmly adjust focus and priorities based on patient and operational needs and help others adapt to change.
• Resilience and ability to recover quickly from difficult and disappointing situations.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in criminal cases.
• Ability to build trusting, respectful work relationships; listen to understand; and collaborate with colleagues at all levels.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, lead when needed, follow instructions, set direction, and inspire others toward shared goals.
• Ability to foster an environment where diverse perspectives are solicited, valued, and respected, 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 in stressful conditions.
• Ability to work occasionally in physically challenging conditions and wear protective gear, including a protective mask; duties may involve chemical and biological hazards, sharp objects, noisy environments, and uneven, wet, or slippery surfaces.
• Required English language proficiency.

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 as needed at the CRC and 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 efficiently, recognize when outside veterinary care is needed, and coordinate referrals, advanced workups, and specialty care with veterinary partners.
• Ensure animals receive admission exams and ongoing care at the CRC or in foster homes, boarding facilities, and other off-site locations, supporting timely decisions and outcomes once ownership is obtained.
• Complete certificates of veterinary inspection as appropriate for animal transfers and placements.
• Perform sterilization and other common soft tissue surgeries, as well as dental extractions.
• Direct and manage treatment of in-house intensive care patients, including patients with infectious diseases.
• Perform humane euthanasia following disposition decisions or urgent medical need, including situations involving large numbers of animals.
• Obtain required continuing education and remain current on shelter medicine best practices.
• Participate in population rounds with behavioral and sheltering staff, review medical concerns, and coordinate integrated care.
• Collaborate with sheltering, behavior, Criminal Practice & Investigations, Forensic Sciences, and other teams to support animal welfare, timely information sharing, and decisions informed by medical, behavioral, and legal considerations.
• 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 consider animals’ physical, medical, social, and behavioral needs, including those of animals at off-site locations.
• Attend Veterinary Services, leadership, interdepartmental, and all-staff meetings as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate medical records, document exam findings, test results, and treatments, prepare administrative reports, and communicate animal status updates.
• Follow appropriate 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, and mentor student externs.
• Assist with developing and implementing medical protocols and standards of care.
• Follow, enforce, and provide input on CRC and ASPCA protocols and procedures.
• Model continual improvement in CRC care and handling practices and use 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 perspective in temporary shelters by directing care and participating in daily leadership meetings.
• Oversee veterinary responders, support communication and continuity of care, and coordinate integrated care with sheltering and behavior branches.
• Assist in planning small- and large-scale case responses and assess and manage case animals in the field and at criminal scenes.
• Support evidence collection and documentation of examinations of living and deceased animal cruelty victims.
• Understand and follow Incident Command System (ICS) and chain of command during deployments.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director, Veterinary Services.

Benefits

• Signing bonus and/or relocation assistance.
• 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, mentorship, internal mobility, and opportunities to support field work.

What This Job Offers

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