Associate Veterinarian | Chicago Cat Clinic
Listed compensation
$100k-$120k
Listing transparency2 of 6 stated
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and weekend coverage.
- Employment & setting
- Full-Time
- Call expectations
- Not specified
- Weekends
- Not specified
Job Description
Practice
Chicago Cat Clinic is Chicago's oldest feline-only clinic!
Founded in 1975 by the late Dr. Barbara Stein, a pioneer in veterinary medicine and one of four women in her graduating class, Chicago Cat Clinic focuses solely on feline veterinary care. We are proud to be part of the legacy that helped transform the way leading doctors feel about feline-specific practices.
Position Purpose
- Associate Veterinarian | Feline-Only Practice | Chicago Cat Clinic
- A rare opportunity for a cat-loving veterinarian in Chicago!
Chicago Cat Clinic is looking for an Associate Veterinarian to join our incredible feline-only team in Chicago, Illinois. Opportunities like this do not come around often — our team is passionate, loyal, and deeply committed to providing exceptional care for cats and the people who love them. If you have a special interest in feline medicine and are looking for a practice where cats are truly the center of everything we do, this could be the perfect fit.
About Chicago Cat Clinic
Chicago Cat Clinic is a well-established, feline-only veterinary practice located on the northwest side of Chicago. As the city’s oldest feline-only veterinary clinic and the second oldest in the United States, this practice has a long-standing legacy of providing compassionate, high-quality veterinary care exclusively for cats. Our calm, quiet, canine-free environment allows us to focus on the unique medical, behavioral, and emotional needs of feline patients while creating a lower-stress experience for both cats and their owners.
About the Team
Our team is made up of experienced, devoted professionals who have dedicated their careers to the health and happiness of feline patients. This is a collaborative, cat-loving group that takes pride in thoughtful medicine, strong client relationships, and creating a supportive environment for both pets and people. We are looking for a veterinarian who enjoys building trust with clients, practicing high-quality medicine, and being part of a team that truly understands and celebrates cats.
About the Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity for an Associate Veterinarian who wants to focus on feline medicine in a practice with a respected history and a strong reputation in the community. The ideal candidate is compassionate, communicative, and excited to work in a feline-exclusive setting. Whether you already have a strong background in feline medicine or you are looking to grow your skills in a cat-only environment, this role offers the chance to do meaningful work with a team that shares your passion.
Why You’ll Love Chicago
Chicago offers the perfect mix of big-city energy, neighborhood charm, incredible food, lakefront beauty, arts, culture, sports, and year-round things to do. Chicago Cat Clinic is located in the beautiful Edgebrook neighborhood on the city’s northwest side and proudly serves cats from Chicago and surrounding communities including Jefferson Park, Forest Glen, Lincolnwood, Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove, and beyond.
- What We’re Looking For
- We would love to connect with a veterinarian who:
- Loves cats and has a strong interest in feline medicine
- Enjoys client education and building long-term relationships
- Values collaboration, communication, and teamwork
- Practices compassionate, high-quality medicine
- Is excited about joining a practice where vacancies do not happen often
- Join Us
If you are a veterinarian who loves cats and is looking for a truly special practice to call home, we would love to meet you. Chicago Cat Clinic offers a rare opportunity to join a feline-only hospital with deep roots, a passionate team, and a legacy of exceptional care.
Come be part of something special — where every patient purrs, chirps, meows, and matters.
Essential Responsibilities
- Examine and treat companion animals to detect and determine the nature of disease or injuries.
- Operate diagnostic equipment and collect diagnostic samples as well as interpret results.
- Advise pet owners on preventative care and treatment options.
- Perform surgery and prescribe medication as needed.
- Provide counsel around pet end of life care.
- Maintain patients’ medical records.
- Ensures compliance with veterinary ethics and relevant statues, policies, and procedures.
- Requirements/Qualifications
- DVM/VMD degree from an accredited AVMA institution.
- Appropriate state licensure.
- Eligibility to obtain DEA/BNDD.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates professional and courteous presentation consistently with staff and clients.
Ability to lift patients and carry equipment up to 25 pounds; ability to lift patients or carry equipment over 25 pounds with assistance.
- Benefits Offered
- Unlimited personal time
- Bonus incentives
- Health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance
- Retirement benefits (401(k), Roth(k) with match)
- CE and licensure reimbursement
- Flexible work schedules
- Managing career path development
- Employee Assistance Program
- DVM Referral Program
- Mental Health Resources
- Relocation assistance available
Pay Range
USD $100,000.00 - USD $120,000.00 /Yr.
Key Responsibilities
The Associate Veterinarian will examine, diagnose, and treat feline patients while performing surgeries and interpreting diagnostic tests. They are also responsible for advising pet owners on preventative care and maintaining accurate medical records.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a DVM/VMD degree from an accredited AVMA institution and possess appropriate state licensure. Excellent communication skills and the ability to handle physical requirements related to patient care are required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Certifications
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
In Illinois, the Veterinary Medicine weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$134k (22 salary observations; 105 listings), vs ~$142k nationally (313 salary observations; 2,301 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-03-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
Of the 40 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 75% have no call, 57% require no weekends.
Veterinary Medicine pay on WeekdayDoc is up 2.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).
The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$110k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $110k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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