Veterinarian, Foster & Population Health

Veterinarian, Foster and Population Health

Schedule

Part-Time - 24hours a week with one weekend day required. 

Who We Are

ACC is one of the nation’s largest open-admission animal shelters, whose mission is to End Animal Homelessness in NYC. We touch the lives of nearly 20,000 animals each year. ACC is more than an animal shelter; we are a resource to the community, always seeking ways to keep the human-animal bond intact. With a 90% placement rate, our progressive, life-saving initiatives contribute to the successful placement of our animals. 

We strive to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations (our New Hope partners). We also help keep NYC communities safe and rescue animals in need, responding to emergencies that involve animals as well as keeping our doors open 24/7 for people and animals in need.

Summary

Animal Care Centers (ACC) is the only open admission shelter in New York City averaging an intake of over 20,000 animals per year.  With a daily population of animals in care across our 3 (soon to be 5) shelters hovering around 800 it is challenging to provide tailored medical and behavioral support to dogs and cats who may require more nuanced attention.  

ACC has a robust foster program that serves this special population of vulnerable animals that include neonates, seniors, animals in need of physical or emotional rehabilitation and in some cases, hospice care. This allows them to heal, decompress and show their true personalities.  Foster programs are critical to animal shelters because they save lives by expanding capacity beyond the shelter walls which reduce overcrowding, stress and illness.  

The Veterinarian, Foster & Population Health collaborates with the Director of Shelter Medicine, the Foster Triage Nurse and the Foster Team to identify animals that would benefit from a foster home and then ensure they receive timely, appropriate medical treatment and support.  This will include management of behavior conditions in consult with our Behavior Team.  Care and oversight will include having scheduled appointments in our 3 shelters with the option of in-home visits and telehealth consults in addition to minor and spay/neuter surgery.  

The Population Health Veterinarian may also be asked to assist in population rounds aimed at identifying animals that could benefit from other external interventions such as specialty surgeries or management of complex cases.  

Required Qualifications:

• NYS Licensed DVM and 2 years' experience in general practice or shelter setting. 
• Able to travel to 5 boroughs. 
• Must be calm, patient, empathetic and detailed oriented.  
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

Benefits

Part-Time employees are not eligible for vacation time or personal leave.  

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide direct medical care to animals in foster homes to include preventative wellness and to support the foster caregiver.
• In collaboration with the Director of Shelter Medicine, develop, implement and maintain medical protocols for common conditions.
• Work with in-shelter medical teams to schedule and/or perform spay/neuter and minor surgery and otherwise ready these animals for adoption.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participate in shelter rounds.
• May be asked to jump in and help the in-shelter veterinary teams.
• Collaborate with Behavior team to implement behavior protocols in foster animals and oversee progress.
• Fear Free certification within 30 days of hire. 
• Complete other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Confident in soft tissue surgery and spay/neuter surgery at medium to high volume including 2# pediatrics.
• Good technical skills as you may not always have an LVT to assist.

Work Environment

At ACC it's all hands-on deck. We work together as a team, which means you may be asked to help with tasks that involve working outside in all sorts of weather. As a busy animal shelter in one of the biggest cities in the world, it can get noisy inside. Employees should have the ability to remain calm yet professional in stressful situations involving animals and/or members of the public. Animal Care Centers houses hundreds of animals in its facilities at any given time and with that comes fur, odors and other airborne particles in abundance. 

ACC offers many low-cost services to pets and people in need. This includes compassionate end-of-life services for people who cannot afford to go to a private veterinary office but still want to provide a professional and peaceful transition for their beloved pet. 

Reports To: Director of Shelter Medicine 

Overtime: This is a non-union position and is not eligible for overtime.