Full-Time

Director of Veterinary Services

Posted on 5/4/2025

ASPCA

ASPCA

1,001-5,000 employees

Investigates cruelty, rescues animals, educates.

Compensation Overview

$169.5k - $179.5k/yr

+ Signing Bonus

New York, NY, USA

In Person

Category
Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (1)
Required Skills
Customer Service
Requirements
  • Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required)
  • 3+ years in GP, specialty, and/or shelter setting, DVM degree (or equivalent) with NY State veterinary license.
  • Fear Free Shelter certification within 6 months of hire date.
Responsibilities
  • Ensure CARE provides high quality individualized care, considering the medical and behavioral needs of our patients while maintaining overall population medicine using shelter best practices to a wide range of cruelty, neglect, and at-risk patients.
  • Serve on a panel with medical, behavior, and operations leaders to review cases and make weekly pathway planning decisions, including humane euthanasia decisions, taking into consideration animals’ physical and behavioral well-being, using organizationally aligned tools developed to assess quality of life and readiness for adoption.
  • Perform humane euthanasia for animals deemed unsuitable for placement, working closely with the behavior and medical teams to ensure a compassionate, low-stress procedure.
  • Perform medical intakes on all new NYPD and CE cases admitted to CARE and in collaboration with partner departments for animals admitted to veterinary partner hospitals, AAH, ARC, and Adoption Center as needed.
  • Provide medical support for large scale NYPD and CE cases.
  • Perform exams, diagnostic tests, and medical treatments with full utilization of Fear Free medical handling. Ensure all staff are practicing Fear Free handing.
  • Develop skilled and efficient diagnosis and treatment plans following ARC/CARE/AAH medical parameters and guidelines.
  • Provide medical care for outpatients of owned, fostered out and/or animals in transition to the Adoption Center and placement partners.
  • Maintain thorough, high quality medical records, documenting all exam findings, test results, and treatments.
  • Work with partner hospitals as needed, including referral for advanced care, and assessing medical stability of new cases at partner hospitals.
  • Respond to after-hours medical concerns.
  • Oversee and maintain the CARE animal census.
  • Oversee the daily medical care and case flow of the animals housed in CARE.
  • Lead the Daily CARE rounds meeting.
  • Lead monthly CARE LVT meeting.
  • Develop, disseminate, and keep current the CARE Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure their implementation.
  • Model a standard of continued commitment to improve and expand upon all aspects of CARE including, medical, behavior, housing, safety, and animal flow.
  • Set expectations and goals and provide consistent, high-quality feedback to direct reports, including regular 1:1s and quarterly feedback sessions to build strong relationships, provide clear direction, and encourage opportunities for development. Complete annual performance evaluations.
  • Practice and espouse positive, people-centric management approaches that are in line with team and organizational core values.
  • Recommend internal and external training opportunities as needed for direct reports in identified areas.
  • Respond to concerns from direct reports and selected administrative staff, addressing them promptly and accordingly.
  • Handle employee-relations issues with confidentiality and care, ensuring compliance with any applicable collective-bargaining agreements.
  • Conduct corrective actions related to performance.
  • Maintain proactive communication with the Senior Director as to any critical situations or issues.
  • Support the Senior Director of Veterinary Services in handling any adverse client or patient events appropriately and professionally.
  • Model a standard of continual commitment to improvement in all aspects of CARE animal care and handling of dogs and cats.
  • Serve as a champion in times of change management and proactively partner with the ARC and CARE Leadership team in identifying ways to improve people policies and medical protocols.
  • Collaborate with the AAH Office Manager and Direct of Veterinary Services to ensure CARE has appropriate DVM coverage 7 days per week.
  • In collaboration with the AAH management team, ensure the CARE veterinary team is scheduled for all required training, meetings, and lectures.
  • Collaborate and support the work of partner departments, particularly the Humane Law Enforcement, Community Engagement, and the Adoption Center departments.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality when dealing with criminal cases.
  • Attend staff meetings, doctor meetings and other requested meetings.
  • Provide medical information and represent CARE to the public and to media when requested.
  • Provide a high level of customer service to external and internal clients.
  • Create, model, and follow written and verbally communicated ASPCA and CARE Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Assist with special projects, presentations and data collection as requested.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Desired Qualifications
  • Previous experience in shelters preferred but not required.

ASPCA is a non-profit organization that works to prevent cruelty to animals. It operates through programs and activities aimed at helping pets and their caregivers, improving outcomes for animals at risk, and assisting victims of abuse. The group holds the unique ability to investigate crimes against animals and to make arrests, using nonviolent methods to fulfill its mission. It focuses on education, rescue and care, shelter support, advocacy, and public policy to reduce animal cruelty. Founded in 1866 and based in New York City, its goal is to stop animal cruelty and improve animal welfare across communities.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$200K

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1866

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Walker's Shortbread guarantees $100,000 annual donations through 2029 via purchases.
  • Veterinary Scholarship awards $1 million in 2026 to combat workforce shortages.
  • Disaster team aided 260+ animals post-Typhoon Sinlaku in April 2026.

What critics are saying

  • $1M scholarships and $100k+ adoption grants strain reserves amid donor fatigue.
  • Veterinary shortages persist as program covers tiny fraction of 2024 debt-burdened graduates.
  • Cat cruelty underreported at 15% of NYC cases despite 43% U.S. pet population.

What makes ASPCA unique

  • ASPCA founded in 1866 by Henry Bergh as North America's first humane society.
  • ASPCA holds unique legal authority to investigate and arrest for animal cruelty.
  • ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement partners with NYPD on thousands of NYC cases yearly.

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Benefits

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Continuing Education Stipend

Paid Holidays

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Life Insurance

Long-term Disability Insurance

Company News

ASPCA
Mar 24th, 2026
ASPCA awarded LEED Gold Certification for new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center, seeks certification for soon-to-open Los Angeles facility.

ASPCA awarded LEED Gold Certification for new Recovery & Rehabilitation Center, seeks certification for soon-to-open Los Angeles facility. March 24, 2026 NEW YORK - The ASPCA(R)(The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R) is proud to announce that the ASPCA Recovery & Rehabilitation Center in Pawling, N.Y., has achieved LEED Gold Certification under the LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction rating system. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and an international symbol of excellence. The ASPCA Recovery & Rehabilitation Center is a 33,000 square-foot space that provides high-quality integrated behavioral and medical care to animals rescued in partnership with the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The new Center gives even more rescued animals the critical space, time and support they need to heal and to treat dogs with behavior and medical problems that cause suffering and prevent adoption, allowing the ASPCA to significantly increase its capacity to care for some of New York City's most vulnerable animals. The ASPCA Recovery & Rehabilitation Center earned 62 points, incorporating high-impact strategies across: * Sustainable Sites: habitat protection, rainwater management that replicates natural conditions, and reduced light pollution that supports animal wellbeing. * Water Efficiency: indoor and outdoor water savings that equal to a 40% potable water use reduction, saving 70,000 gallons of potable water per year. * Energy & Atmosphere: optimized HVAC and lighting performance, with 23% energy savings and offsetting 20% of total energy cost over a 10-year period. * Materials & Resources: robust waste diversion, diverting 87% of construction waste from landfill. * Indoor Environmental Quality: enhanced air quality measures and low-emitting materials that protect human and animal health in indoor environments. In 2026, the ASPCA seeks certification for its soon-to-open ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic in Los Angeles, which will provide access to affordable veterinary services for underserved pet owners. Key features of the building include: * Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Reduction: electric vehicle charging stations to help reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. * Heat Island Reduction: cool roof strategies to reduce heat island effect and lower cooling energy use. * Outdoor Water Use: outdoor water use reduced by 70% through the installation of drought-tolerant plants and smart irrigation. * Indoor Water Use: water use cut by over 35% via low-flow fixtures, helping reduce water scarcity impacts. * Energy Reduction: use of renewable energy and other strategies for 28.9% energy savings and lower carbon footprint. The ASPCA will also be purchasing a 20% carbon offset covering 10 years of the project's carbon impacts from energy use. * Indoor Environmental Quality: use of enhanced ventilation, high-efficiency filtration and CO2 sensors for cleaner air. * Materials: use of locally sourced materials that reduce the carbon footprint of the construction and low-emitting materials that protect occupant health. The Recovery and Rehabilitation Center's LEED Gold Certification reflects a strong collaborative effort across the ASPCA and the project's engineering, construction, architecture, and design companies, including, HLW, Animal Arts, and BEYOND. About the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to transforming how buildings and communities are designed, built and operated to create thriving, healthy, equitable and resilient places that advance human and environmental wellbeing. USGBC leads market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. About the ASPCA(R) The ASPCA(R)(The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For more than 150 years, ASPCA has been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation's first and leading animal welfare organization, ASPCA assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, its commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information, visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. About BEYOND BEYOND specializes in sustainable, resilient, and wellness-focused solutions for the built environment. With a team of seasoned sustainability experts, ASPCA consistently deliver high-performance projects that maximize value, repair ecology, decarbonize, and improve health and wellness. ASPCA know sustainability is not always a one-size-fits-all solution. Through custom sustainability frameworks, research-backed strategies, and scalable solutions, ASPCA not only reach but also go beyond project sustainability goals.

ASPCA
Jan 22nd, 2026
ASPCA Launches Veterinary Scholarship to Strengthen the Animal Welfare Veterinary Workforce

ASPCA launches Veterinary Scholarship to strengthen the animal welfare veterinary workforce. New York, NY - The ASPCA(R)(The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R) this week launched the ASPCA Veterinary Scholarship Program, a bold new initiative to strengthen the veterinary workforce in shelters and nonprofit settings, expand access to veterinary care, and cultivate a community of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of animals. Veterinary students may receive up to $33,333 per year, with a maximum total award of $100,000, while veterinary technician students may receive up to $10,000 per year, up to $20,000 total. Through the ASPCA Veterinary Scholarship Program, the ASPCA is tackling the nationwide shortage of veterinary professionals working in the animal welfare sector and the demand for accessible and affordable veterinary care by reducing financial barriers for future veterinarians and veterinary technicians. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 39% of 2024 veterinary school graduates carried debt between $200,000 and $400,000 and the average debt for those graduates entering full-time employment was 1.4 times their anticipated first-year salary. Additionally, a 2024 demographic survey by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America found that more than one-third of credentialed veterinary technicians carry student loan debt averaging $24,000. These findings, coupled with the new federal borrowing limits that will go into effect July 1, underscore the importance of programs that help future veterinary professionals pursue careers in animal welfare without the weight of overwhelming student debt. "The acute shortage of veterinary professionals is one of the greatest threats to animal welfare today," said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA President and CEO. "While the need for care continues to grow, too many new veterinary graduates are unable to enter animal welfare because of overwhelming student debt. The ASPCA Veterinary Scholarship Program will help remove those barriers, strengthen the veterinary workforce, and expand access to lifesaving care for animals nationwide." For its inaugural year, the ASPCA will award up to $1 million in scholarships to veterinary and veterinary technician students who demonstrate financial need, academic excellence and are committed to working in mission-driven work supporting animals or the animal welfare field after graduation. Students may be awarded funding for multiple years but must submit a new application each year to be considered for continued support. In addition to scholarship funding, ASPCA Scholars will join a national network offering career opportunities, training and real-world experience across animal welfare organizations, along with connections to peers, mentors and leaders in the field. The 2026-27 ASPCA Veterinary Scholarship Program application deadline is March 3, 2026. For more information, including detailed eligibility criteria and a link to the online application, visit aspcapro.org/aspcascholars. The scholarship program is administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. (ISTS), an independent company that specializes in scholarship management for companies, non-profit organizations and other educational assistance sponsors. About the ASPCA(R) The ASPCA(R)(The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For more than 150 years, ASPCA has been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation's first and leading animal welfare organization, ASPCA assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, its commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information, visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

The Mercury
Oct 22nd, 2025
Animal Rescue League of Berks County receives $4,000 grant for adoption event

Animal Rescue League of Berks County receives $4,000 grant for adoption event. The Animal Rescue League of Berks County will use the ASPCA grant for its Subaru Loves Pets Adoption Event Saturday at the shelter where adoption fees are waived. The Animal Rescue League of Berks County, 58 Kennel Road, Cumru Township, has received a $4,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help it prepare for an upcoming adoption event. "The grant will help the Animal Rescue League of Berks County fund services such as veterinary care, vaccines, enrichment, training and socialization needed to prepare animals for adoption, which are crucial to ARL operations," said a statement released Wednesday by the ARL. "The Animal Rescue League is grateful to receive a $4,000 grant from the ASPCA to support the Subaru Loves Pets Adoption Event, sponsoring the adoption of all animals at our shelter on Saturday, Oct. 25," said Stacey Cole, ARL chief development officer. "These grant funds not only allow us to continue providing compassionate care of our animals but helps families find their new best friend while enjoying a festive atmosphere." Every October, Subaru retailers partner with local animal welfare organizations to help prepare shelter pets for adoption through grants administered by the ASPCA and host pet events at their stores. On Saturday adoptions will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cumru Township shelter where all adoption fees will be waived due the Subaru/ASPCA donation. Start your day with us: Our top stories curated & delivered to your inbox each morning. Special activities are planned from 9 a.m. to noon: fresh coffee and smoothies available from the Perk Up Truck, Subaru cars on display, giveaways, goodies, candy and yard games.

ASPCA
Sep 24th, 2025
ASPCA Assists Wood County Humane Society with Rescue of Nearly 70 Animals, including Dogs and Birds, from Poor Conditions in Northern Ohio

The ASPCA, in collaboration with the Wood County Humane Society's Humane Investigations Division, removed the inhumanely treated animals after they were found living in poor conditions.

ASPCA
Sep 18th, 2025
Sweet Kiva Is Looking for a Home of Her Own!

Its friends at CHA Animal Shelter in Columbus, Ohio, have a wonderful dog available for adoption that ASPCA'd love to shine a light on - meet Kiva!

INACTIVE