Career Center

The PAW Mission is seeking a Medical Director that will provide leadership and medical care to all animals in the Animal Shelter network, including at the shelter, in foster care, at adoption sites and animals at vaccine clinics. Great opportunity to work towards the no-kill mission and make a difference in communities that are underserved. The PAW Mission targets the most at-risk pets in animal shelters, feral cats, neonatal kittens/puppies, and medical dogs/cats. We often see Parvo pups, distemper dogs, ringworm, and calici virus from shelter intakes. Standard hours are 5 days at 8 hours, alternate schedule could be something the organization could work with.

Responsibilities include:
Develops policies and procedures for the medical department; recommends changes in procedures as needed.
• Performs in-house animal health inspections with shelter staff.
• Provides preventative treatments for infections, disease prevention and control, general health, parasite diagnosis and treatment and dietary evaluations
• Examines animals, evaluates animals’ health and performs veterinary medical and surgical procedures including vaccinations, prescribing and administering of medications, anti-parasite treatments, tests and lab work for infections and related health issues.
• Performs spay and neuter surgeries in a high-volume clinic and other types of surgery, as needed.
• Establishes and maintains medical records and drug use logs to standards of veterinary and sheltering practices.
• Ensures that all state and federal laws, state regulations, accepted standards, the practice of veterinary medicine, drug control, and animal care and handling are adhered to.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of shelter animal health protocols, surgical procedures (including dog, cat and small mammal ovariohysterectomy and castration and dental preventative care) and other companion animal health issues.
Ability to coordinate and schedule staff or volunteer DVMs for our free public wellness days.
• Performs and oversees euthanasia according to established protocols.

A typical week will include 3 to 4 days of public HQHVSN, with an additional 1-2 days to work at our Sanctuary performing surgeries and other procedures on our shelter pets. We will be operating on a 40’ RV outfitted for a spay/neuter day of 30-35 animals, and in various locations in San Bernardino County. Our Sanctuary is located in beautiful Yucaipa, on 5 acres, we house between 100-150 animals at a time, with our intake being roughly 80% cat and 20% dogs. Our Sanctuary is equipped with a Medical Unit, 3 indoor/outdoor cat enclosures, feral barn, livestock corrals, and in 2023 we will be installing a new adoptable space which will add an additional 5,500 square feet for adoptable animals. We do not euthanize for space, as a private shelter we only euthanize for severe medical or behavioral issues in which the animal is suffering.

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university and three years of professional veterinary medical experience
• Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the state of California.
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain DEA license.
• Knowledge of City, County, State and Federal animal health laws.
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communications skills, including ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, employees, key partners, volunteers and the public.
• Federal USDA Level 2 Accreditation Required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and safe driving record

About The PAW Mission

The PAW Mission is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to decrease shelter euthanasia by providing humane education, animal rescue, and subsidized veterinary care. Started in 2017, PAW Mission has grown to be an organization that takes in over 1500 animals annually, and in 2023 will start our mobile HQHVSN and wellness clinics for the most underserved areas in San Bernardino County.

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