The Arizona Animal Welfare League, the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona – is seeking a full-time Shelter Veterinarian. AAWL’s mission is to provide high-quality care for their patients from public intakes, rural rescue, and other partner organizations. The Staff Veterinarian – Surgery provides high-quality, high-volume surgical and medical care for shelter animals within AAWL’s veterinary program. This role is responsible for performing spay/neuter, soft tissue, urgent, and other surgical procedures based on experience and organizational needs, while supporting the overall medical care and population health of shelter animals.
The Staff Veterinarian – Surgery works collaboratively with veterinary technicians, animal care staff, other veterinarians, and organizational leadership to provide efficient, compassionate, and high-quality patient care. This position will also support the continued development of AAWL’s surgical capabilities and may contribute to the future expansion of community veterinary services.
Responsibilities
Surgical Care
Perform high-volume spay/neuter surgeries for shelter animals.
Perform soft tissue and other surgical procedures based on experience and organizational needs, including amputations, mass removals, cystotomies, abdominal exploratory surgeries, and enucleations.
Perform urgent and emergency surgical procedures as needed.
Perform dental procedures and/or develop additional dental skills as appropriate.
Provide appropriate post-operative care and follow-up for surgical patients.
Recognize, evaluate, and appropriately manage surgical complications.
Maintain high standards of surgical safety, patient care, and surgical efficiency.
Medical & Shelter Care
Perform physical examinations, diagnostics, and develop treatment plans for shelter animals as part of a balanced clinical caseload.
Provide medical care for animals experiencing illness, injury, infectious disease, or other medical conditions.
Support shelter population management and infectious disease prevention and treatment.
Assist with shelter case management when the primary shelter veterinarian is unavailable.
Provide clinical guidance regarding escalated medical cases through the shared on-call rotation.
Promote humane treatment and compassionate care for all animals, regardless of condition or temperament.
Diagnostics & Clinical Oversight
Interpret laboratory results, radiographs, and other diagnostic tools to guide medical and surgical decisions.
Develop and implement appropriate treatment and surgical plans.
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant medical recordkeeping.
Establish and follow medical and surgical protocols in alignment with AAWL standards and veterinary best practices.
Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including the veterinary practice act.
Population Health & Shelter Medicine
Support population-level health strategies, including disease prevention, treatment, and outbreak management.
Monitor the health of the shelter population and make recommendations to improve outcomes and reduce length of stay.
Collaborate with shelter and medical teams to ensure appropriate care for animals with medical or behavioral needs.
Assist with population management decisions when medical or surgical intervention is required.
Team Collaboration & Mentorship
Provide clinical guidance and direction to veterinary technicians and assistants during procedures and patient care.
Mentor veterinary fellows, interns, externs, and other learners.
Support training and development of medical staff by sharing knowledge and reinforcing best practices.
Collaborate with other veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal care staff, clinic leadership, and cross-functional teams to support efficient operations and quality patient care.
Foster a respectful, collaborative, and mission-aligned work environment.
Community & Program Development
Participate in community vaccine or wellness clinics as needed.
Support the development of future community spay/neuter services as organizational capacity allows.
Assist in exploring a phased approach to community surgical services, which may include TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and future low-cost public spay/neuter services.
Contribute ideas and expertise toward the continued development of AAWL’s surgical and veterinary programs.
Support AAWL’s mission and core values of collaboration, integrity, empathy, and innovation.
Qualifications
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree required.
Arizona veterinary license in good standing, or ability to obtain.
A minimum of two years veterinary experience; shelter medicine experience (preferred).
Ability to speak and write Spanish (preferred).
A history of communicating effectively in writing and verbally, including media skills.
Proven experience overseeing the development of operating procedures and managing data and medical records; Experience with Daysmart and PetPoint (preferred).
Ability to collect and analyze data and present to management/board.
Demonstrated interest in incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs into all aspects of AAWL’s work.
Strong work ethic and the ability to interact effectively with volunteers from divergent geographical and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team, and to have excellent problem solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to work in a high-pressure environment and to multi-task.
Creative, result-oriented, self-starting, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive schedule.
To Apply for This Position
Please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, including their email, phone and relationship, to: Practice Manager Megan McWherter at: mmcwherter@aawl.org. Please reference “Staff Veterinarian” in your email. No phone calls or walk-ins.
Employment Details
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay starts at $140,000 - $175,000 per hour.
Generous PTO, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays annually.
100% employer-paid medical and life insurance; dental, vision, and supplemental options available.
Employer-supported professional development.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Other benefits include:
• Arizona Veterinary Medical and DEA license fees paid.
• American Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Shelter Veterinarians, Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and Veterinary Information Network membership fees paid.
• Liability and malpractice insurance paid (AVMA PLIT).
• Generous paid 3-week vacation/sick time off, and 12 paid holidays per year
• $2,000 C.E. allowance and paid professional development opportunities to attend veterinary conferences (negotiable).
• Qualified Employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
