Relief Veterinarian - Shelter Medicine (Contract)
Listed compensation
$1,300/day
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
Our mission is to ensure all animals have access to high-quality, compassionate care whether they're in a home or still looking for one. The Shelter Medicine department supports this mission by providing medical care for animals within our shelter, ensuring the health and welfare of the entire population.
At the San Francisco SPCA, high volume and high quality are not competing priorities — they are the standard. We save lives through innovative, evidence-based shelter medicine and are recognized nationally as a leader in animal welfare.
What You’ll Do
- Perform High Quality High Volume Spay Neuter surgeries for shelter animals, as well as other procedures such as enucleations and other routine procedures.
- Provide daily medical care for shelter animals, including exams, diagnostics and treatment planning.
- Oversee population health and ensure adherence to best practices in shelter medicine.
- Collaborate with RVTs, veterinary assistants, and behavior staff to create individualized care plans.
- Support lifesaving outcomes by preparing animals for adoption and transfer.
Requirements
What We’re Looking For
- DVM or equivalent degree, with a current California license in good standing.
- Shelter medicine and HQHVSN experience required.
- Commitment to animal welfare and a team-based approach to care.
- Compensation: Relief veterinarians are compensated at a day rate of $1,300 per 10-hr shift.
Key Responsibilities
Perform high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgeries along with other routine medical procedures for shelter animals. Collaborate with veterinary staff to manage population health and develop individualized care plans for animals awaiting adoption.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$338k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $305k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 50 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 86% have no call, 68% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 6.6 / 10 · above average in veterinary medicine | ranked against 3,072 Veterinary Medicine listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | $338k | Veterinary Medicine median $149k (middle half $129k–$165k)397 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$305k in purchasing power | California index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in California | 256 active | 3,101 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 86% no call · 68% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | California healthcare professional listings: 39% state a sign-on bonus (median $50k) · 16% offer loan repayment383 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 962 in the last 30 days | 517 the 30 days before (+86%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +1.9% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Relief Veterinarian - Shelter Medicine (Contract) at SAN FRANCISCO SPCA a 6.6 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Veterinary Medicine — ranked against 3,072 active Veterinary Medicine listings on WeekdayDoc.
Top contract/1099 Veterinarian Jobs
20 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
20 jobs · 14 employersAnnual compensation range
Benefits & Perks
19 jobs · 14 employersShare of similar jobs offering each benefit
Veterinarian Medical Leader
PETCO Animal Supplies Stores · Folsom, California
Hospital Medical Leader - Veterinarian
PETCO Animal Supplies Stores · Los Angeles, California
Hospital Veterinarian
$104k-$220kSenior Veterinarian
$120k-$220kWork-life snapshot
Listing-based score, 0–10, across 3,072 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.
About SAN Francisco SPCA
Living in San Francisco
- Typical 3-bedroom home value
- $1.77M
- Typical market rent
- $4,784/mo
- Residents’ average commute
- 30 min
- State income tax
- Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology
Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.
City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.