Associate Shelter Veterinarian

Associate Shelter Veterinarian

Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS)

Organization Overview

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) is a progressive animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing rehabilitating and rehoming homeless abused neglected and abandoned animals. GBHS is committed to innovative compassionate shelter medicine and community-based solutions that reduce animal homelessness and unnecessary euthanasia.

GBHS offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical dental vision life insurance disability coverage and a 401(k). To learn more visit .

Position Summary

The Associate Shelter Veterinarian plays a vital role in overseeing the health and medical care of the GBHS shelter population including operations within the Critical Care and Spay/Neuter Clinic under the leadership of the Chief Medical Officer. This position is full-time and works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary veterinary and animal care team.

The Associate Veterinarian supports a comprehensive shelter medicine program including high-volume spay/neuter services a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program community outreach initiatives and an externship program that trains fourth-year veterinary students in soft tissue surgical skills.

Reports To

Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Key Responsibilities

Clinical & Surgical Care

• Diagnose and treat animals throughout the shelter population

• Provide care for sick injured and at-risk animals

• Perform spay/neuter surgeries including procedures for select owned animals

• Conduct emergency surgical procedures as required

• Perform physical examinations and evaluate bite cases

• Develop and implement medical and surgical treatment plans

Shelter Medicine & Population Health

• Manage disease prevention control and overall animal health

• Ensure humane treatment of all animals in the shelter

• Support shelter population management strategies focused on saving all healthy and treatable animals

• Provide immediate medical diagnostics and response to animal health and safety concerns

Programs & Community Outreach

• Support and grow the GBHS Project Pet SAFE Program reducing shelter intake and euthanasia

• Provide rabies vaccinations for animal care and control reclaims

• Participate in community wellness clinics via the GBHS mobile medical unit

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with local veterinary partners

Education & Leadership

• Provide guidance mentorship and training to veterinary medical staff

• Assist with training fourth-year veterinary students through the GBHSVeterinary Externship Programs

• Serve as a leader within a fast-paced team-oriented environment

Compliance & Documentation

• Evaluate animals involved in cruelty or neglect investigations and provide written medical documentation

• Ensure accurate timely data entry and medical recordkeeping

• Maintain a clean safe and sanitary work environment

• Perform related duties as required

Education Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an accredited institution

Required Qualifications

• Current Alabama veterinary license with a clean practice record

• Demonstrated strong surgical skills

• Valid drivers license with insurable driving record

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

• Excellent attention to detail

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Strong time management and case triage skills

• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• High emotional intelligence and professionalism

• Ability to lead and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team

Preferred Qualifications

• Current DEA license or ability to obtain one

• Five (5) or more years of experience in a high-volume full-service veterinary setting

• Ability to obtain a premise permit from the Alabama Veterinary Board

• Experience in shelter medicine and/or high-quality high-volume (HQ/HV) surgical environments

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described are representative of those required to perform essential job functions. Employees must regularly stand walk sit reach bend kneel crouch climb balance and use hands for fine motor tasks. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds is required. Vision requirements include close distance color peripheral and depth perception as well as the ability to adjust focus. Employees must meet all general employment requirements outlined in the GBHS Employee Handbook.

Work Environment

This position operates in a fast-paced shelter environment with exposure to live and deceased animals including those with unknown medical or behavioral histories. Employees may encounter animal waste strong odors industrial cleaning chemicals dust dander parasites bites scratches and zoonotic diseases. The role requires the ability to work in an environment that provides humane euthanasia. Employees must act safely and responsibly at all times.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age color national origin citizenship status disability race religion creed sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information marital status veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.