About the Position

The City of Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department (AWD) is seeking compassionate and motivated Veterinarians to join our progressive, open-admission municipal shelter team. We provide comprehensive veterinary care, including medical, surgical, and preventive services for our shelter and community’s animals.

Our department operates two shelter facilities and a brand-new community spay/neuter clinic, serving an annual intake of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 animals. We also operate a mobile preventive-care clinic van, extending our reach to neighborhoods across the city.

You’ll work with a skilled and dedicated team of Registered Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants, and shelter professionals who are deeply committed to the health and well-being of homeless and adoptable animals.

Veterinarians share duties involving high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries, inpatient and outpatient medical care, disease management, and participation in community outreach initiatives.

Full-time veterinarians typically work four 10-hour days per week, with flexible scheduling.

New graduates are encouraged to apply — we offer an immersive, hands-on environment that supports professional growth and confidence-building in both medical and surgical practice.

Why Albuquerque?

Located in the heart of the Southwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico boasts over 300 days of sunshine each year, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, or exploring the stunning Sandia Mountains and desert trails.

The city’s Albuquerque International Sunport and Amtrak station provide convenient travel options for quick getaways. Albuquerque’s rich culture, award-winning cuisine, and breathtaking sunsets make it an exceptional place to live, work, and explore.

Join Our Mission

The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department's mission is to protect the pets and people of Albuquerque by providing Caregiving, Awareness, Resources, Enforcement, and Service Excellence (CARES). If you’re passionate about making a difference, we invite you to apply today and help us continue improving the lives of animals and people across Albuquerque.

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Key Responsibilities

Perform the work of a professional veterinarian providing humane veterinary, husbandry and spay/neuter care and services to a variety of animals in city-operated shelters; supervise, assign, review and participate in the work of staff responsible for humanely operating and maintaining the City's kennels; ensure quality of work and adherence to established policies and procedures; perform or assist in the performance of euthanasia and surgical procedures; oversee operations of kennel and veterinary clinic and perform the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.  Oversee and help management health related issues in all areas of the shelter.

Possession of a valid New Mexico Driver's License. 

Possession of a City Operator's Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Possession of a valid euthanasia technician license issued by the State of New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department within six (6) months from date of hire.

Preferred Knowledge

• Principles, practices and procedures of veterinary medicine including surgical procedures
• Operations, services and activities of a public kennel to include herd health knowledge and understanding
• Methods to safely induce chemical immobilization and anesthesia for the wide variety of species
• Knowledge of anesthesia monitoring equipment and use of a variety of drugs to provide induction, maintenance of anesthesia and pain control
• Knowledge of nutritional needs of a wide variety of animal species and conditions including but not limited to dogs, cats, small ruminants, equine, rabbits, common pet rodents, and pet reptiles
• Unique nutritional needs of a wide variety of animal species
• Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers
• Occupational hazards and standard kennel safety practices
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations

Preferred Skills & Abilities

• Provide proper professional health care to animals in emergency situations
• Ability to self-motivate and well developed time management skills
• Independently perform the most difficult animal care tasks in a humane, compassionate manner
• Interpret, explain and enforce veterinary related policies and procedures
• Operate a variety of animal control equipment in a humane, safe and effective manner
• Perform humane animal euthanasia
• Interact with the public promptly and effectively
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations and conditions
• Efficiency and effectively prepare clear and concise reports
• Communicate clearly and concisely
• Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

About City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department

The City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department's mission is to protect the pets and people of Albuquerque by providing Caregiving, Awareness, Resources, Enforcement, and Service Excellence (CARES).

Connections working at City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department