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.

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.