Animal Rescue League Of Iowa·Des Moines, Iowa
Provide high-quality veterinary care, including examinations, diagnoses, and treatment plans for owned pets. Perform surgical and dental procedures while building trusted relationships with clients through education and support.
Provide meaningful veterinary care without production pressure.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is seeking a compassionate and skilled Veterinarian to join our ARL Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics team. This role is ideal for a veterinarian who wants to practice high-quality medicine in a collaborative, mission-driven clinic environment while helping expand access to veterinary care in the Des Moines metro. At the ARL Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics, our veterinarians provide trusted care for pets and the people who love them without the stress of production-based compensation measures. This position offers the opportunity to build client relationships, see a broad range of cases, work alongside experienced support staff, and make a visible difference in the community.
The ARL Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics are part of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Iowa’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organization. Through the clinics, the ARL extends its mission into the community by helping pet owners access trusted, affordable veterinary care for the animals they love. There are two clinic locations that provide pets with quality, affordable, compassionate care. Services include preventative care, on-site blood work, radiographs, surgery, and other essential veterinary services at a more affordable rate to help pets stay in loving homes.
What you’ll do
Provide high-quality veterinary care for owned pets through the ARL Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics.
Perform examinations, diagnose conditions, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications.
Provide preventative care, wellness services, medical care, and client education.
Perform or support surgical and dental procedures based on experience, interest, and clinic needs.
Work collaboratively with veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and client service staff.
Build trusted relationships with clients while helping them understand treatment options and next steps.
Maintain accurate medical records and follow established medical protocols.
Contribute to a supportive, collaborative, and learning-focused clinic culture.
What we’re looking for
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, DVM or equivalent, from an accredited veterinary school required.
Active Iowa veterinary license in good standing, or ability to obtain licensure prior to employment, required.
Strong medical judgment and commitment to high-quality patient care.
Interest in access-to-care veterinary medicine and community impact.
Strong communication skills and commitment to client education.
Ability to work effectively with clients, veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and support staff.
Experience in general practice, surgery, dentistry, shelter medicine, or community veterinary care preferred.
Experienced veterinarians are encouraged to apply.
Benefits: For full-Time employees
This position works in a veterinary clinic environment and may require standing for extended periods, performing examinations and procedures, safely handling animals of varying sizes and temperaments, and moving throughout the clinic as needed.
The role may involve exposure to animals, animal dander, cleaning agents, anesthetic gases, moderate noise, zoonotic diseases, and other conditions common to veterinary practice while following established safety procedures.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Why join the arl?
As a Veterinarian with the ARL Afford-a-Care Pet Clinics, your work helps families access trusted veterinary care while supporting the health and wellbeing of pets in our community. You will practice quality medicine in a collaborative environment where your judgment, compassion, and contributions are valued.
If you are looking for a clinic role where you can provide meaningful care, work with a supportive team, and make a visible difference for pets and the people who love them, we would love to connect.
Employment in this position is at-will, meaning either the employee or the ARL may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, as permitted by law.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state law. Applicants and employees are encouraged to discuss potential accommodations as needed.
Market context
Veterinarian openings in Iowa are often driven by steady demand for companion-animal and mixed-animal care, especially in communities that value accessible local services. These roles can be competitive because employers look for experienced clinicians who bring teamwork, resilience, and a mission-driven approach, while offering market-based pay, flexible scheduling, PTO, holiday benefits, and 401(k) options. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then tailor your application to show community impact and practical clinical experience.
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