Shelter Veterinarian (DVM) – Surgery & Community Medicine

Snake River Animal Shelter

Job Description

VETERINARIANS: WHAT IF YOU ACTUALLY LOVED GOING TO WORK?
No corporate quotas. No production pressure. No overnight emergencies. No euthanasia for space. Just really good veterinary medicine that makes a difference.

Oh, and did we mention a THREE-DAY WORKWEEK? 👀
Snake River Animal Shelter in beautiful Idaho Falls, Idaho, is searching for our next Shelter Veterinarian / Medical Director, and we think this might just be the job you didn't know you were looking for.

❤️ First, let's address the elephant (or Great Dane) in the room.
Why are we hiring? Our current veterinarian LOVES her job. In fact, she calls it the best job she's ever had! Unfortunately for us, life has other plans, and she's relocating to Utah for personal reasons.

She's so passionate about SRAS that she's helping us find her replacement and is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible. You'll have the opportunity to learn from someone who knows our animals, our clinic, and our incredible team.

This isn't a position we're trying to fill because something went wrong. It's a position we're trying to fill because something went RIGHT, and we want to keep it that way.

🩺 THE MEDICINE (AKA THE FUN PART)
You'll get to practice actual veterinary medicine without someone tracking how many dollars you generate per appointment.
Your days will include:
🐕 Treating shelter dogs and cats who need someone in their corner.
🐈 Performing spay/neuter surgeries, dentals, soft tissue procedures, and other lifesaving treatments.
❤️ Providing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) services that help reduce pet overpopulation.
🩺 Practicing compassionate, practical spectrum-of-care medicine for animals and families with limited financial resources.
🐾 Collaborating with an amazing support team, including experienced veterinary technicians and our very own canine behaviorist.
🦎 Occasionally treating a rabbit, reptile, farm animal, or other unexpected visitor—if that's your thing!

We have ultrasound, dental radiography, microscopy, access to Antech diagnostics, and a team that genuinely wants to help you succeed.
And here's something really special: We have donors who help us say YES when the answer elsewhere might be NO.
Our programs provide affordable veterinary services and help families keep their beloved pets when unexpected medical expenses threaten to separate them.

✨ WHY OUR VET CLINIC IS DIFFERENT
✅ Three 10-hour shifts per week. That's FOUR DAYS OFF to enjoy your life!
✅ No overnight shifts or on-call emergencies. When you're off, you're off.
✅ No production quotas or commission-based compensation. Your value is measured in lives changed, not revenue generated.
✅ Minimal client interaction. Our reception team handles most public communication so you can focus on medicine.
✅ A no-kill shelter philosophy. We never euthanize for space, and we work hard to give every animal a chance.
✅ A collaborative, supportive team. You're not expected to do everything yourself.
✅ Real medical autonomy. Practice thoughtful, compassionate veterinary medicine without corporate pressure.
✅ A meaningful mission. Every surgery, every treatment, and every animal you help has a purpose.

💰 LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GOOD STUFF
Salary: $110,000–$118,000, depending on experience PLUS a bonus potential.
And because we believe our veterinarian deserves to have a life outside the clinic, we offer:
🎓 Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
🏖️ Paid time off and paid holidays.
📚 Continuing education allowance.
👕 Uniform allowance.
🩺 Paid veterinary license renewals and required professional licensing fees.
🐾 Paid AVMA and IVMA memberships.
💻 Paid Veterinary Information Network (VIN) subscription.
🛡️ Paid professional liability insurance.
💉 Free pet vaccinations, discounted veterinary services, and discounted adoptions.
Full-time is just three 10-hour shifts per week. We're also open to discussing per diem opportunities.

🏔️ AND DID WE MENTION IDAHO FALLS?
Imagine finishing your three-day workweek and having FOUR DAYS to explore Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, world-class fishing, skiing, hiking, camping, or just enjoying a little peace and quiet.
Idaho Falls offers beautiful scenery, a welcoming community, great restaurants, local events, and the kind of outdoor access people travel across the country to experience.
Or you can spend your days off on the couch with your pets. We fully support that, too. 😂

🐾 WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
A compassionate, collaborative veterinarian who believes every animal deserves a chance.
You'll need:
✔️ A DVM or equivalent veterinary degree.
✔️ An Idaho veterinary license or eligibility to obtain one.
✔️ Eligibility for the required Idaho controlled-substance and DEA registrations.
✔️ A passion for shelter medicine, accessible veterinary care, and making a real difference. A good sense of humor is a plus, too.
Experience in shelter medicine or HQHVSN is wonderful, but a genuine commitment to our mission matters just as much.

❤️ HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE
We know veterinarians have options.
But how many jobs let you practice meaningful medicine, work with people who genuinely care, help animals who might otherwise go without treatment, AND enjoy four days off each week?
Our current veterinarian says it's the best job she's ever had. We'd love for our next veterinarian to say the same.

This is a full time job