Richmond SPCA·Mechanicsville, Virginia
Perform high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries and provide access-to-care support for shelter and community animals. Collaborate across veterinary services to support the low-cost public hospital and shelter medicine teams as needed.
Why This Isn’t Your Typical Veterinary Role If you are frustrated by corporate medicine, production pressure, and the heartbreak of euthanasia for economic reasons, we offer a radical alternative.
Smoky’s Spay & Neuter Clinic is a vital engine of the Richmond SPCA's mission to sustain a no-kill community.
We deliver high-impact surgical services to pets in local shelters and rescues and to free-roaming, unowned community cats.
Practice Mission-Focused Medicine: Your success is measured by the lives you impact and the surgeries you perform, not the inventory you move.
There are no sales targets or production-based quotas.
No Financial Euthanasia: We practice medicine aligned with our no-kill philosophy.
We don't let economic hardship stand in the way of lifesaving care.
You have (or can successfully obtain) a valid Virginia Veterinary License and DEA license in good standing.
Mission-Driven: You possess a deep commitment to the no-kill philosophy, shelter diversion, and serving vulnerable populations with dignity and empathy.
Adaptable &
Collaborative: You thrive in a fast-paced environment, multi-task with a positive "can-do" outlook, and communicate compassionately with clients and internal shelter teams. Experience in a shelter, high-volume spay/neuter clinic, or public veterinary hospital is a major plus, but a passion for access to care is required.
& Perks We care for our people just as deeply as we care for our patients. Professional Coverage: Full reimbursement for Virginia Veterinary license renewal, DEA license, AVMA membership, and professional liability insurance. Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, short-term disability, and paid wellness leave. Student Loan Forgiveness: Access to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Holidays & Personal Leave: Paid holidays and generous paid personal leave.
A rapid-pace, high-energy environment with exposure to high noise levels, animal waste, disinfectants, radiation, and anesthetic gases.
Physical
Requirements: Ability to stay on your feet for a 10-hour shift (accommodations can be coordinated with physician recommendations) and routinely lift, carry, or move up to 50 pounds. Reliable transport is required, including during inclement weather. What Richmond Has to Offer Richmond is a vibrant city with an active, accessible, and welcoming community culture. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the James River Park System, which offers urban whitewater rafting, miles of riverside trails, and sunbathing on Belle Isle right in the heart of downtown. Our nationally-recognized, James Beard-nominated dining and craft beer scenes mean you'll always have a great new culinary spot to discover. For entertainment, you can catch a baseball game at the new CarMax Park—located just a few hundred yards from our Hermitage Road campus—or enjoy outdoor concerts at the stunning new riverfront amphitheater. Plus, Richmond’s central location puts you an easy drive away from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Atlantic coast beaches, and Washington, D.C.
Must hold a DVM or equivalent degree from an AVMA-accredited college and possess or obtain a valid Virginia Veterinary and DEA license. A deep commitment to no-kill philosophy and the ability to work in a fast-paced surgical environment are required.
Market context
In Virginia, associate veterinarian roles with surgical and shelter-medicine experience are often competitive, especially when they require a DVM, Virginia Veterinary and DEA licensure, and comfort in a fast-paced clinic. This position stands out for its no-kill mission and surgical workload, so candidates should be ready to show relevant procedure experience and alignment with the clinic’s philosophy. Job requirements and benefits on this platform are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving candidates research time.
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