984 Best Animal Care Jobs in California (October 2025)

ASPCA

Lead Veterinarian

1 day ago

Hydesville

Summary: Who we are: Have you ever wondered what happens to cats and dogs whose owners are unable to afford veterinary care? We did. The ASPCA’s Community Medicine (CM) team provides expert veterinary care to support the welfare of animals and their people through our stationary and mobile veterinary clinics, serving the most underserved communities in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. We help pet owners overcome barriers to care, bringing quality services directly to the communities that need us most and partially or fully subsidizing the cost of basic and preventive care. CM treats people and pets with dignity and respect, assisting pet owners in making informed decisions about their pets’ health and wellbeing regardless of their financial circumstances. When you come to work at the ASPCA, you join a team of over 1,000 dedicated colleagues with deep knowledge, skills, and passion for the animals we serve. What you’ll do: Support new and experienced veterinarians in reaching their potential, where animal well-being, teamwork and serving the community are at the core of our work. As a member of the Community Veterinary Clinic (CVC) management team, you will help deliver key CM objectives: lead a happy, high-functioning team, ensure every patient receives the highest-quality care with minimal fear and stress, and deliver outstanding client experiences to maximize the ASPCA’s impact in the community. As both a player and a coach, you will work as a CM veterinarian as needed – seeing appointments, treating cats and dogs in our Primary Pet Care (PPC) program or performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) for shelter/rescue animals and beloved pets. What you’ll get: Compensation 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 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 $169,500 - $179,500 annually Benefits * Work/life balance: * paid vacation time to relax * paid sick time to heal * three paid continuing education days and a CE stipend to keep your skills sharp * ten paid holidays to observe * plus – paid personal time off to celebrate what and when you like * Terrific benefits package: * medical, dental, and vision insurance * pre-tax dependent care and health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) * 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions beginning after one year of service * employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance * veterinary state license fee reimbursement * and more - note that benefits are subject to change annually * Room to grow: the ASPCA has robust professional development programs to help you grow as a veterinarian and a leader * Support: structured mentorship from experienced veterinarians - we are one of the largest and most impactful animal welfare organizations in the world, so you will always have a strong team to lean on and cheer you on For more information on our benefits offerings, ___. Work Schedule and Location: This is typically a Monday – Friday, 8 hour schedule with flexibility to work occasionally beyond the scheduled work day. This is an on-site position primarily based at the Community Veterinary Clinic. Occasional flexibility in reporting to other ASPCA locations throughout the Greater LA Area is required based on operational need. Reporting Structure: You will report to the Community Veterinary Clinic (CVC) Director (solid line) for all nonmedical job functions and to the Medical Director (dotted line) for all duties related to veterinary medicine. Responsibilities: Job responsibilities include but are not limited to: People Leadership (35%) * Oversee and monitor medicine and surgery provided at the ASPCA’s CVC according to CM’s standard operating procedures and guidelines * Train veterinarians in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) techniques and other medical protocols (the ASPCA’s Learning & Development team provides “train the trainer” workshops to develop facilitation skills) * Be a consistent and visible presence on the floor to answer questions, make timely adjustments, offer support, receive/give feedback, lend a hand, and foster understanding and commitment to ASPCA’s mission * Support a positive work culture of respect, belonging and teamwork through regular 1:1s, recognition, supervision, developmental coaching, performance evaluation and feedback * Partner with colleagues to achieve or exceed the ASPCA’s impact goals * Partner with the ASPCA’s Talent Acquisition Team to hire staff and per diem veterinarians; onboard new team members * Ensure that all team members have received training and mastered the skills to handle patients in a low stress manner, and that they implement these handling techniques consistently. Instill the guiding principle that everyone can – and should – actively support the animals’ behavioral and mental health in everything they do * Teach veterinarians about their role in the ASPCA’s commitment to improving access to care for all animals * Coach veterinarians and others to communicate effectively with clients, including difficult end-of-life conversations * In coordination with the management team (Medical and Client Operations Managers) and under the guidance of the CVC Director, deliver cohesive messaging and address root causes of location problems and deliver corrective action plans as needed * Guide direct reports to write and fulfill annual goals which encourage teamwork and challenge them to grow professionally * Write, schedule and conduct annual performance reviews * Deliver disciplinary actions and follow up coaching as needed; seek counsel with your director and/or People Partner as needed * Prioritize safety and security in the clinic; report safety related incidents and ensure that all incident and supervisor reports are completed promptly Medical (50%) * Perform pre-surgery physical examinations on all surgical candidates; perform approximately 30-40 high quality, high volume spay/neuter surgical procedures per spay/neuter clinic day * Provide compassionate, quality preventive and basic care to patients in underserved areas, overseeing all aspects of veterinary care during a clinic day including physical examination, diagnostics, treatment recommendations and delivery, prescribing of medications and discharge information * Work side by side with staff veterinarians as a PPC doctor or HQHVSN surgeon treating cats and dogs as both a scheduled shift and fill-in coverage as needed * Diagnose and treat post-surgical complications on an outpatient basis * Triage and refer cases that do not fall within the Community Medicine parameters of care as appropriate * Support internal ASPCA departments, such as Relocation and LA Feline Programs, with medical consultations and support as needed * Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques Administrative (15%) * Schedule CM staff veterinarians and per diems for optimal coverage * Meet regularly with the Medical Director; provide open and honest and communication and feedback when things aren’t working as they should * Participate in monthly CM Veterinary Medicine Rounds and Morbidity and Mortality Meetings with the Vice President of Medicine; present on interesting cases or current topics in veterinary medicine as needed * Support the ASPCA’s commitment to research and development to benefit animals across the country by participating in studies designed to improve access to care as needed * Attend workshops or meetings as needed Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values: * Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals * Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes * Believes in Team – that we are stronger together * Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible * Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals Qualifications: * Current California State Veterinary License * Demonstrate true leadership abilities in challenging situations * Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols * Possess ability to work in high-volume, fast-paced clinic environment * Excellent work attendance record * Fear Free® Shelter certification is required within 60 days of hire Education and Work Experience: * Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or equivalent) from an AVMA accredited veterinary college * Minimum one year of experience in high quality, high volume spay/neuter * Minimum three years veterinary experience in small animal medicine and surgery * Previous people management experience strongly preferred Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, please ___ to stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA. Qualifications: See above for qualifications details. Veterinarian License - Other Language: English (Required) Education and Work Experience: Doctorate: Veterinary Medicine (Required) Our EEO Policy: The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). About Us: The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers. The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering. Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act Pursuant to regulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we provide this notice to applicants about eligible employees’ protected leave for certain reasons. Click on the ___ to learn more. Applicants that are residents of Colorado: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries in the initial interview. We are permitted to require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant may redact the information before submitting an initial employment application. Our EEO Policy: The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). About Us: The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers. The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering. Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act: Pursuant to regulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we provide this notice to applicants about eligible employees’ protected leave for certain reasons. Click on the ___ to learn more. Applicants that are residents of Colorado and Oregon: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058 and ORS 659A.030, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries through completion of the initial interview. We can require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant should redact the information before submitting an initial employment application. Indiana Applicants: Pursuant to Indiana law, we are providing notice that it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by: (1) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States; or (2) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component. Should you feel that you were a victim of discrimination on the basis of veteran status, please let us know at . Alternatively, you can file a complaint with the following agencies at any time: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Office: (317) 232-2600 | Toll Free: (800) 628-2909; Hearing Impaired: (800) 743-3333 | Fax: (317) 232-6580; E-mail: | Website: . Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Indianapolis Field Office; 115 W. Washington Street South Tower Suite 600; Indianapolis, IN 46204; Phone: 463-999-1240; Fax: 317-226-7953; TTY: 1-800-669-6820;ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122.

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