VA ANIMAL WELFARE CAREERS
Build Your Career. Strengthen Virginia's Animal Welfare Community.
The Virginia Federation of Humane Societies is proud to connect talented professionals with organizations making a difference for animals across the Commonwealth.
Whether you're searching for your first position in animal welfare or looking to take the next step in your career, our Job Board features opportunities from shelters, rescues, animal control agencies, veterinary organizations, and other animal welfare partners throughout Virginia.
Current job openings are listed below and are updated as positions become available. We encourage you to check back regularly for new opportunities.
Why Work in Animal Welfare?
Animal welfare is more than a career—it's an opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day. From shelter medicine and animal care to behavior, field services, leadership, communications, fundraising, and veterinary medicine, organizations across Virginia rely on dedicated professionals working together to improve the lives of animals and the people who care for them.
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Whether you're just entering the profession or bringing years of experience, your skills can have a lasting impact on communities throughout the Commonwealth.
Veterinarian
Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter
Full-Time | Newport News, Virginia
​Virginia’s largest municipal animal shelter is seeking a compassionate, mission-driven veterinarian to join its collaborative medical team. This position provides medical and surgical care from intake through adoption or foster placement while working closely with shelter staff and foster families to support positive outcomes for animals.
Qualifications: DVM or VMD with a valid Virginia veterinary license. Shelter medicine experience is welcomed but not required; high-volume surgical experience is preferred.
Expected Hiring Range: $82,800–$100,500
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Full-Time | Arlington, Virginia
​The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is seeking an experienced, collaborative leader to oversee all shelter operations, including animal care, veterinary services, behavior, adoptions, foster, and transfer programs. Working closely with the executive leadership team, the COO will drive operational excellence, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and help advance AWLA's mission of providing exceptional care for both animals and the community.
Medical Director
Mountain View Humane
Full-Time | Christiansburg, Virginia
Mountain View Humane is seeking a compassionate and experienced veterinarian to lead its high-volume spay/neuter and wellness clinic as Medical Director. This leadership role combines hands-on surgical and medical care with oversight of clinic operations, staff mentorship, and maintaining high standards of veterinary care, all while expanding access to affordable services for the community.
Salary: $90,000–$120,000 (based on experience and surgical proficiency)
Medical Director
Fredericksburg SPCA Locke Community Medical Center
Full-Time | Fredericksburg, Virginia
The Fredericksburg SPCA is seeking an experienced veterinarian to lead its new Locke Community Medical Center as Medical Director. This leadership role combines shelter medicine, high-volume surgery, and community veterinary care while providing clinical oversight, mentoring veterinary staff, and helping shape a growing program dedicated to expanding access to affordable veterinary services.
Salary: Starting at $140,000 annually (negotiable, commensurate with experience)
To learn more, contact: Fredericksburg SPCA Executive Director Laurie Webb via email.
Multiple Openings
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Arlington, Virginia
The Animal Welfare League of Arlington is currently hiring for a variety of positions across animal care, adoptions, communications, administration, and executive leadership. Join one of Virginia's leading animal welfare organizations and help advance compassionate care for animals and the community.
Current Openings:​
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Animal Care Technician I
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Animal Services Representative
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Chief Operations Officer
Multiple Openings
Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA
Harrisonburg, Virginia
The Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA is seeking compassionate, mission-driven individuals to join its team. For more than 50 years, RHSPCA has provided adoption services, community cat programs, foster care, and other essential animal welfare programs that help pets and people throughout the Shenandoah Valley.
Whether you're beginning a career in animal welfare or looking for your next opportunity, RHSPCA offers the chance to make a meaningful difference every day.
ADDITIONAL CAREER RESOURCES
Looking for additional opportunities? The organizations below maintain their own employment pages with positions in animal welfare, sheltering, veterinary medicine, advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and related fields.
Job availability changes frequently. Visit each organization’s career page for current openings, position requirements, and application instructions.
POST A JOB
Looking to hire?
VFHS Organizational Members receive complimentary job postings on the VFHS website as part of their membership benefits. Our job board reaches animal welfare professionals from across Virginia, helping connect organizations with qualified candidates who are passionate about serving animals and their communities. Non-member organizations may also post positions for a nominal fee.
Email us to submit a job listing: