The Locum Veterinarian provides integrated veterinary care across shelter medicine and community-based clinical services. This role supports the health and welfare of animals in the care of the Society while delivering accessible veterinary services to the public, including spay/neuter, wellness, and preventive care.
Work Schedule
This role offers flexible, part-time relief work. You’ll choose from the assignments that fit your availability. Shifts are offered to support coverage when our veterinarians are away, during leaves, or at busy times.
Core Accountabilities
Shelter Medicine & Animal Centre Support
- Provide veterinary oversight and medical recommendations for animals in the care of the Society
- Deliver medical advice, guidance, and treatment recommendations to shelter teams, including:
- Diagnostics and treatment planning
- Physical exams and procedures on shelter populations as needed
- Prognosis and quality-of-life considerations
- Ensure medical records are accurate
- Humane outcomes when medically appropriate
- Support consistency in medical adoptability decisions and care standards
- Serve as a clinical resource for complex or high-risk shelter cases
- Collaborate with Animal Centre leadership to ensure timely, humane, and evidence-based care
Community & Public Veterinary Services
- Provide accessible veterinary services to the public, including:
- Spay and neuter surgeries
- Wellness and preventive care
- Humane euthanasia as appropriate
- Basic diagnostics and treatment
- Deliver care aligned with the Society’s access-to-care and community impact goals
- Ensure a compassionate, respectful client experience for all clients
Medical Leadership, Coaching & Team Support
- Serve as a mentor to RVTs, technicians, assistants, and students
- Foster a collaborative, respectful, and psychologically safe medical environment
- Promote a culture of shared accountability, compassion, and clinical excellence
Medical Standards, SOPs & Quality Improvement
- Implement and uphold:
- Ontario SPCA Medical SOPs and protocols
- Medical disclosures and documentation standards
- Shelter medicine best practices
Health, Safety & Risk Management
- Champion compliance with:
- Occupational Health and Safety legislation
- Biosecurity and infection prevention standards
- Promote a culture of safety that protects:
- Staff and volunteers
- Clients and the public
- Animals in care
- Participate in incident review, risk mitigation, and continuous safety improvement
Key Competencies
- Strong foundation in shelter medicine and community veterinary care
- Confident clinical decision-maker with sound judgment in complex cases
- Surgical ability to provide HQHVSN
- Demonstrated leadership in team-based environments
- Excellent communication skills with staff, partners, and clients
- High integrity, adaptability, and commitment to humane, evidence-based care
- Solutions-focused with a strong sense of accountability
Set up for Success!
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from a CVMA-accredited institution or equivalent qualifications
- Licensed and in good standing with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario
- Eligible and qualified to serve as Facility Director under CVO standards
- Minimum 2+ years of clinical experience (shelter medicine or high-volume surgery an asset)
- Experience in spay/neuter, community medicine, or access-to-care models strongly preferred
We Can’t Wait to Meet You!
- Click Apply Now and upload your resume and cover letter.
We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request. For any questions, suggestions or required documents regarding accessibility in a different format, please contact us at 888-668-7722.
Our Commitment to a Human-Centered Hiring Process
Our organization complies with Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000, and relevant privacy legislation. While we use technology to help manage applications efficiently, resumes are personally reviewed by a member of our recruitment team. From screening to interviews and final decisions, our process is rooted in a human-centered approach.
