Employee performs professional work by establishing and implementing the necessary veterinary protocols at the Cumberland County Animal Shelter to provide the best possible care and treatment to all animals entering and existing the shelter.

Duties include developing, implementing and managing veterinary processes, programs and systems that address health and disease prevention needs in a shelter environment to reduce euthanasia, enhance life expectancy and reduce behavior problems in shelter animals.

Duties may also include providing sterilization and rabies vaccinations for all animals adopted and rabies vaccinations for animals reclaimed; assessing and maintaining the health of animals with the shelter; completing regular rounds of the animals in the shelter and providing veterinary care to the animals; maintaining veterinary records of animals seen, veterinary procedures performed, and medications prescribed; writing and updating policies and procedures related to the veterinary care of animals in the shelter. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated in terms of the effectiveness of the veterinary program.

Examples of Duties

Provides high quality and fast paced veterinary care of animals in the shelter.

Performs clinical, laboratory and surgical veterinary services for sheltered animals.

Ensures all impounded animals receive prompt and proper veterinary care and continued monitoring for individual/herd health and welfare.

Performs examinations, diagnose, create treatment plans and monitor treatments as needed along with emergency triage and stabilization for sick/injured animals.

Ensures accurate and thorough record keeping for each individual animal treated.

Assists with the development of policies, procedures and protocols which relate to the veterinary needs of sheltered animals, including disease prevention.

Makes recommendations on shelter disease management protocols, sanitation and procedures.

Identifies animal cruelty, consults during cruelty investigations and provides expert witness testimony.

Supplies a high level of veterinary care to neglected/abused animals and ensure thorough documentation of medical findings for criminal prosecution or perpetrators.

Assists with investigations of animal care ordinance violations which may include bites and attacks or animal cruelty.

Testifies at court and administrative hearings.

Assists the public in animal care and regulation issues.

Assists management in the development and implementation of policies which impact animal and human health.

Participates in the planning of daily veterinary activities to ensure efficient and effective operation.

Interacts with staff pertaining to issues associated with the health, feeding, husbandry, nutrition, breeding, diseases and injuries to keep all parties informed of the status of animals.

Conducts staff training on recommended practices on topics involving animal health, well-being, veterinary care or other related topics.

Exercises independent medical judgment when examining, caring for and treating impounded animals in accordance with County policies and procedures and in compliance with applicable state laws.

Oversees the maintenance of shelter drug and supply inventory while meeting and maintaining NCDA and DEA requirements.

This job is considered essential to respond in emergency situations.

Work may include other duties as assigned.