Find your home with us

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:

We're looking for an exceptional veterinary leader to join our senior leadership team as the Head of Shelter Medicine. This is an opportunity to shape the future of shelter veterinary medicine, influence organisational strategy and lead a highly skilled veterinary team dedicated to achieving the very best outcomes for animals.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership across our shelter veterinary services, ensuring the delivery of contemporary, evidence-based shelter medicine that supports outstanding animal welfare outcomes.

Working collaboratively with leaders across the organisation, you will:

• Lead and continually improve veterinary services across our North Melbourne and Cranbourne shelters.
• Develop and implement clinical standards, protocols and operational frameworks aligned with best-practice shelter medicine.
• Drive improvements in population health, infectious disease prevention and capacity-to-care strategies.
• Provide expert advice on complex medical, surgical and animal welfare matters.
• Lead, coach and develop a passionate team of veterinarians, fostering a culture of clinical excellence, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Contribute as a key member of the senior leadership team to organisational planning and strategic decision making.
• Champion clinical governance, quality improvement and regulatory compliance across veterinary services.

This is a rare opportunity to influence the future direction of shelter medicine within one of Australia's leading animal welfare organisations.

About you
You're an experienced veterinary leader who combines outstanding clinical expertise with the ability to inspire people and drive meaningful change.

You'll bring:

• A Veterinary Science degree registrable in Victoria with current (or eligible) registration.
• Significant experience as a practicing veterinarian, including advanced medical and surgical capability.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a complex, fast-paced veterinary or animal welfare environment.
• Strong knowledge of shelter medicine, infectious disease management and animal welfare best practice.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence positive organisational outcomes.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Shelter Medicine, Population Health or Veterinary Public Health will be highly regarded.

What we can offer you:

• Fantastic career development and opportunities to develop skills in Australia’s largest open intake shelter.
• Generous financial assistance and support for further studies and career development courses.
• Generous leave entitlements, including up to 5 days of study leave per year.
• A compassionate, supportive and proud work environment.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program and onsite counselling service.
• Generous discounts at the Lost Dogs’ Home Veterinary Clinic.

If you have the skills, experience and enthusiasm to be successful in this role, please click 'APPLY NOW' ensuring you have attached your cover letter and current resume in Word or PDF format. If you have any further questions or queries regarding the role, please email recruitment@dogshome.com. 

We recognise that exceptional shelter medicine expertise exists around the world. The Lost Dogs' Home welcomes applications from suitably qualified international candidates, and visa sponsorship may be considered for the successful applicant, subject to eligibility under Australian immigration requirements.

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

The Lost Dogs’ Home is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.