Volunteer Veterinarians Needed!

The mission of PAWS is to preserve, support and nurture the human-animal bond for those most vulnerable in our community, through pet food, subsidized vet care, and volunteer supportive services; dog-walking, in-home cat care, transports to vet visits, and emergency pet fostering. All of our clients are low-income San Francisco residents who are seniors (over 60 years old) and/or living with a disabling illness or condition. We serve about 600 people and their 800 pets each year.

VOLUNTEER VETERINARIAN

The role of “Ask The Vet” Volunteer Veterinarian is to lead drop-in consults with PAWS clients.

When: First Tuesdays of the month, with the exception of major holidays, (2pm-5pm) and many Saturdays (10am-1pm)

Where: PAWS Office

Requirements:

·         Volunteer Veterinarians must be licensed in California

·         Volunteer Veterinarians must carry their own malpractice insurance

·         Minimum of one year experience working in a veterinary environment

·         Perform animal restraint and animal handling tasks within a limited clinic environment

·         Attend a PAWS Training: a one-time Tuesday evening 3 ½ -hour session to learn about PAWS history, services and clients

·         Sign up and attend at least 4 clinics over a 6-month period. Volunteers are welcome to do more shifts than this if they able and available

·         Attend PAWS Volunteer Veterinary Committee meetings, 2 hours, twice a year

·         Comfort working with PAWS client population

Duties:

·         Sign in clients and their pets*

·         Pull client files*

·         Prepare paperwork for each client visit*

·         Lift pets and provide animal restraint as needed

·         Provide basic exams (e.g. vital signs, physical exams, non-surgical wound care, administering ear drops, subcutaneous fluids, etc)

·         Record consult visit details

·         Perform nail trims and anal gland expressions

·         Counsel/education clients on pet health issues

·         Communicate with PAWS Care Navigators regarding client/pet issues as appropriate

·         Meet clients where they are at

*= on “Ask The Vet” days when there is no Volunteer Vet Tech present