ASPCA·New York
The Veterinarian will provide high-quality veterinary care to kittens and cats, ensuring their health and well-being while coordinating with other ASPCA programs. They will also guide and mentor team members in delivering quality medical care.
Are you a highly skilled, compassionate veterinarian with a passion for helping at-risk cats and kittens? Do you excel in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment? Is working with a dynamic and dedicated team in a mission-driven organization the description of your dream job? If so, you should consider the role of Veterinarian, Kitten Nursery at the ASPCA!
The Kitten Nursery cares for hundreds of underage kittens and their mothers in a dedicated nursery environment as well as through an expanding foster program. The Kitten Nursery is a seasonal program operating during the feline breeding season. Once these kittens are healthy and happy 8-week-olds, the Kitten Nursery helps them get ready for adoption through the ASPCA Adoption Center. Outside of kitten season, the Kitten Nursery Veterinarian supports other ASPCA programs in NYC.
To succeed in this role, the Kitten Nursery Veterinarian will be a skilled clinician with a passion for attending to the welfare of each animal and the entire shelter population equally. They must have a solid understanding of shelter medicine principles and be extremely well organized and efficient to operate in a fast-paced, continually changing environment. The Kitten Nursery Veterinarian must also be an excellent communicator who collaborates successfully with team members, as well as someone who excels at guiding and coaching team members in providing quality medical care for animals. The Veterinarian reports directly to the Director of Operations and has no direct reports.
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.
The target hiring range for this role is $88,800 - $93,600. In addition to a competitive salary, this role offers a signing and relocation bonus.
If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please visit our website to join our Talent Community [https://careers.aspca.org/Creative/contact] and stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA.
Responsibilities: Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include but are not limited to:
Provide high-quality, practical, compassionate, and cost-efficient veterinary care to kittens and cats in accordance with ASPCA guidelines, and shelter medicine principles and best practices
Provide skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients with timely recognition of, and planning for, conditions requiring care through the ASPCA Animal Hospital (AAH)
Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques.
Maintain regular and close communication with veterinary colleagues in other ASPCA programs to coordinate care for patients, to meet medical needs and to determine animal flow between populations. ASPCA programs include AAH, Community Medicine (CM), and the Adoption Center.
Ensure that in-house and foster animals receive medical exams upon admission and are provided with on-going care as appropriate; ensure veterinary care provided is aligned with, and contributes to, the efficient and humane flow of animals from intake through outcome
Document physical exam findings and a plan in appropriate medical records. Ensure timely scheduling and delivery of medical care by effectively coordinating with key stakeholders among medical staff, foster team and leadership
Oversee all other aspects of the delivery of veterinary care including pre and postoperative care, foster appointments, emergency care, restraint, and treatment
Collaborate with the Midwest Office Call Center to provide input on and support for overnight emergency processes; rotate on-call coverage with other veterinary staff
Play a leading role in daily rounds; ensure individual patients and the population are assessed daily and treatment/intervention recommendations are implemented in a timely fashion
Ensure appropriate use of quarantine and isolation spaces to manage herd health effectively; ensure appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Guide appropriate and timely decisions about euthanasia – with attention to animals’ physical, medical, social and behavioral needs collectively. Assist with and/or perform humane euthanasia
Adhere to all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Follow and enforce all written and verbally communicated Kitten Nursery Standard Operating Procedures
Offer input and feedback on medical protocols and standards of care
Follow all departmental personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning protocols
Work to support other NYC ASPCA departments (including, but not limited to the Animal Recovery Center, Community Medicine, and Community Engagement) as assigned during the Kitten Nursery’s off-season
Veterinarian License - Other
Language: English (Required), Spanish
Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required)
Minimum 2 years clinical practice involving cats, Prior experience and/or advanced training in shelter medicine strongly preferred, Veterinary Internship Preferred
Candidates must have a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and eligibility for licensure in New York State, with a minimum of 2 years of clinical practice involving cats. Familiarity with shelter medicine principles and excellent communication skills are also required.
Obtain continuing education as required by ASPCA and state licensing board and keep current.
Provide medical information and representation to other ASPCA departments and to the public
Deploy with Community Engagement, Community Medicine, Field Investigations & Response or Relocation up to twice per year
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor
Market context
In New York, veterinarian roles in shelter and feline care settings can draw steady interest, especially when they combine clinical practice with animal welfare work. This position is competitive because it requires a DVM, New York licensure eligibility, at least 2 years of cat-focused clinical experience, and shelter medicine familiarity. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit, then confirm your licensure status and recent feline case experience before applying.
