Part-Time Veterinarian

About the role

We are seeking a hospital veterinarian to join our Vetco Total Care Full Service Veterinary Hospitals. This immersive role focuses on delivering high-quality veterinary care, leading your team, and upholding Petco’s standards. You’ll work with advanced equipment (ultrasound, heated hydraulic surgery tables, DDXR) and a skilled paraprofessional team encouraged to specialize in areas like dentistry and nutrition. As a leader, you’ll foster an environment where patient needs come first, teamwork thrives, and exceptional care is the norm.

About Petco

For over 60 years, Petco has been "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives—from meals and toys to supplies and expert support. We celebrate the universal truths of pet parenthood and nurture the pet-human bond through more than 1,500 stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, preventive care clinics, and distribution centers. Founded in 1999, Petco Love supports thousands of local animal welfare groups and has helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent patient care through physical examinations, diagnostics, treatment, and preventive care tailored to each pet’s signalment, lifestyle, and environment.
• Use a problem-based approach: develop complete problem lists, differential diagnoses, diagnostic plans, and treatments based on test results.
• Document all patient observations, exam findings, diagnostics, treatments, client interactions, and diagnoses concisely and thoroughly in medical records.
• Perform routine and complex surgical procedures, including spays/neuters, abdominal exploratory, and mass removals.
• Conduct dental procedures, including full examinations, dental radiograph evaluation, and simple/complex extractions or oral surgeries.
• Develop treatment plans for hospitalized patients and ensure seamless transitions to overnight or referral care.
• Participate in shift rounds as incoming or exiting doctor.
• Share knowledge with staff to elevate care and communication for patients and clients.
• Uphold Petco’s veterinary SOPs and collaborate with the Hospital Medical Leader or Area Medical Director for guidance on patient decisions.
• Work collegially with other veterinarians and maintain professionalism in all interactions.

Requirements

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.
• Active, unrestricted veterinary license in the state of employment (or ability to obtain by start date).
• Current DEA license and state-controlled substance license (if applicable), or ability to obtain by start date.
• USDA Category I Accreditation (minimum) or completion within two months of hire.
• Proficiency in anesthesia and routine surgeries (e.g., spays, neuters, mass removals, dentals).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Compassionate, professional demeanor during emotional or stressful situations.
• Strong teamwork skills, adaptability to new techniques/treatments, and willingness to embrace change.

Work Environment

• Majority of duties performed in a Vetco Total Care full-service veterinary hospital.
• Requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds), and standing for extended periods.
• Frequent direct contact with clients and their pets.
• Regular communication with clients, veterinary specialists, and service/product providers.

Pay

Salary Range: $55.50 - $88.50 per hour. Actual pay depends on position, location, experience, and applicable state/local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the listed range, it will apply.

Benefits

For a detailed overview of Petco’s Total Rewards, including health/financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO, visit https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits.