RELIEF VETERINARIAN
Listed compensation
$90/hour
The week · per this posting
Schedule not stated in this posting — no days, weekends, call or nights given.
Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.
Job Description
- Job Location: Foothills Animal Shelter - Golden, CO
- Position Type: Relief
- Education Level: Graduate Degree
- Salary Range: $90.00 - $90.00Hourly
- Job Category: Veterinary Services, POSITION SUMMARY The relief veterinarian will work on an as-needed basis to fill-in for staff vacations or other planned time off
The relief veterinarian will primarily perform surgical procedures including spay/neuter, dentistry, and general surgeries, and may also perform medical rounds for shelter patients.
RESPONSIBILITIES Performs sterilization surgeries, dentistry, and other surgical procedures. Oversees the treatment of shelter animals, conducts medical rounds, and maintains accurate medical records within the shelter database. Provides emergency care to injured animals brought to the Shelter.
Makes recommendations for adoption candidacy based on medical condition and determines when euthanasia is the most appropriate outcome based on available resources and ability to maintain quality of life. Models Fear Free veterinary practices and supports staff in implementing Fear Free techniques.
Advises staff on veterinary topics and procedures to ensure herd health including administering vaccinations, deworming, medications, and quarantine/isolation procedures. Promotes and follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
Takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance with safety rules that could put a staff member, volunteer, patron, animal, or the organization at risk. Other
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) from an AVMA accredited school of veterinary medicine. 3 years of experience practicing veterinary medicine in a private practice or shelter setting with a heavy surgical load. Veterinary license in good standing.
Must have a current veterinary malpractice insurance policy. Shelter medicine experience preferred. Fear Free Shelter certified or become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment. Skills and Abilities Excellent verbal and written communication. Analyze and solve problems effectively.
Work cooperatively within a team environment. Work effectively with volunteers. Provide constructive feedback in a positive manner. Facilitate difficult conversations. Remain calm in emergency situations.
Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds WORKING CONDITIONS Exposure to anesthesia gases, medications/drugs (controlled and non-controlled), and x-ray radiation. 10-hour days spent standing on concrete floors, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping.
Exposure to pet dander, fumes, dust, odors, bodily fluids, chemicals, parasites, and zoonotic diseases. Subject to animal bites or scratches. Work performed in areas with high levels of noise.
About Foothills Animal Shelter
As an open admission shelter, our doors are always open to pets in Jefferson County, and we are committed to serving our community as a socially conscious shelter. We care for more than 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers.
We are a community resource and offer a variety of services including pet adoption, Jefferson County pet licensing, vaccinations, microchipping, and lost and found pets.
The Shelter is established under an intergovernmental agreement between Jefferson County, the City of Arvada, the City of Lakewood, the City of Wheat Ridge, the City of Golden, the City of Westminster and the City of Edgewater.
Key Responsibilities
The relief veterinarian performs surgical procedures, including spay/neuter and dentistry, while overseeing the medical care and treatment of shelter animals. They also provide emergency care, maintain accurate medical records, and advise staff on herd health and safety protocols.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) degree from an AVMA accredited school and possess a valid veterinary license. A minimum of 3 years of experience in a private practice or shelter setting with a heavy surgical load is required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
In Colorado, the Veterinary Medicine weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$130k (36 salary observations; 172 listings), vs ~$140k nationally (956 salary observations; 7,526 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-02-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
The cost-of-living index for Colorado is 103.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 60.9% of Colorado clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | not listed | Veterinary Medicine median $133k (middle half $118k–$153k)16 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Colorado vs national | $130k median in Colorado | $140k nationally (−7%)36 state / 956 national salary observations |
| Cost of living | Colorado index 103.1 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in Colorado | 64 active | 3,402 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 100% no call · 100% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 41% state a sign-on bonus (median $50k) · 11% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 1,223 in the last 30 days | 503 the 30 days before (+143%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +3.7% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Top contract/1099 Veterinarian Jobs
50 matches · ranked by payVetco Relief Veterinarian - Batavia, NY
Vetco Clinics · Batavia, New York
Vetco Relief Veterinarian - Huntington, NY
Vetco Clinics · Huntington, New York
Vetco Relief Veterinarian - Plainview, NY
$150-$187/hrVetco Relief Veterinarian - Baldwin, NY
$150-$187/hr