Lead Shelter Veterinarian - Cranbourne (12 Months Fixed-term)

Our Cranbourne shelter clinic is growing, and we’re seeking a Lead Veterinarian to step into an exciting 12-month fixed-term role as a parental leave backfill. This is a fantastic opportunity to flex your leadership muscles, guide a dedicated team, and make a real impact in a purpose-driven environment.

About us

At The Lost Dogs’ Home, we are a foundation in Victoria's animal welfare landscape, celebrated for our compassionate care of around 18,000 lost and abandoned dogs and cats every year. Beyond caring for animals, we are dedicated to providing diverse animal welfare and community programs, all aimed at giving animals the best chance of a happy and healthy life. Our mission is upheld by passionate individuals who embody a profound affinity for animals, community, and advocacy.

About the Role

The Lead Veterinarian Cranbourne - Shelter Medicine will lead and manage our dedicated team of three Veterinarians (1.6 FTE). This 12-month fixed-term, full time role is a parental leave backfill and offers a unique opportunity to step into a meaningful leadership position within our growing Cranbourne clinic.

Our Shelter Veterinary team performs critical work, managing a diverse range of cases each day and providing the care necessary to prepare animals for their journey to a new home. In this leadership role, you’ll foster a collaborative and supportive team culture, guiding the Cranbourne Shelter Veterinary team to ensure decisions are always made in the best interests of the animals in our care.

You’ll also champion the personal and professional development of your team, encouraging a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability.

With minimal client involvement, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to diagnose and manage cases independently and in collaboration with other shelter veterinarians who bring interests spanning ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, and behavioural medicine. You'll experience the continuity of care, seeing animals through from admission to adoption.

On a day-to-day basis your management responsibilities include:

• Ensuring best practice animal care in line with a modern shelter medicine model.
• Implementing strategies to improve and manage patient flow, including reducing surgical waiting times and overall length of stay.
• Maintaining the highest quality of staff veterinary teaching and mentoring.
• Assisting with recruitment, retention, and professional development of staff.
• Implementing a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and excellence.

About You

You will be a highly skilled and experienced veterinarian and have the passion, drive, and ability to work well with people. You will be an experienced people leader, but also have excellent clinical skills, with the capability of diagnosing, treating, and managing a variety of illnesses and injuries in small animals. You will be flexible and have the ability to switch gears quickly, and you will be able to see the big picture and remain positive in challenging situations.

If you like your day to be predictable, working in an animal shelter may not be for you. If, on the other hand, you love animals and love the excitement of never knowing what is going to walk through the door or what challenges you may be asked to tackle, this role could be perfect for you!

What We Offer You:

• Fantastic career development with the challenge of shelter work and extensive opportunities to develop skills in animal welfare and the unique area of shelter medicine.
• Great work-life balance, Monday – Friday work, 1 in 4 Saturdays
• Excellent remuneration, including generous financial assistance for approved studies and developmental activities.
• Paid parental leave entitlements
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and on-site counselling service
• Opportunity to be involved in special projects.

If you're a forward-thinking veterinary leader who shares our vision and wants to make a difference for lost and unwanted animals, we’d love to hear from you. Click “Apply” and upload your cover letter and resume (Word or PDF). For any questions, contact [email protected].

Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage you to apply early as the role may close if a suitable candidate is found. Don't miss out—apply today!

The successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete background screening checks.

The Lost Dogs’ Home is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Only candidates with the right to work in Australia may apply for this position.