Veterinary Surgeon

We have been saving animals for almost 200 years. We were founded in a London coffee shop in 1824. The men present knew they were creating the world's first animal welfare charity, but they couldn't have imagined the size and shape that the charity would become today.

Back then, we were the SPCA - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Royal patronage followed in 1837, and Queen Victoria gave permission to add the royal R in 1840, making us the RSPCA as we're known worldwide today.

Organisation Aims and Mission

Our vision is a world where all animals are respected and treated with kindness and compassion. Our mission is to ensure animals have a good life by rescuing and caring for those in need, by advocating on behalf of all animals and by inspiring everyone to treat them with compassion and respect. Our strategy to 2030 will build on this strong platform as we look towards our 200th anniversary in 2024 and the years that follow.

Join our friendly team at Block Fen Animal Centre, located in the beautiful rural surroundings of Cambridgeshire.

Block Fen Animal Centre was built in 2003 and sits on approximately 70 acres just outside the village of Wimblington, near March. We care for a wide range of animals, including:

• Up to 63 dogs, 72 cats, 32 rabbits and a variety of small animals, poultry, and farm animals

This role is designed with well-being and work-life balance in mind. Hours are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, there's no weekend working, making this an excellent opportunity if you're looking for a role that fits around other commitments.

From day one, we want you to feel supported and included. We stay connected through regular check-ins and team meetings, and there's always a colleague nearby for advice, collaboration, or a friendly chat. You'll be part of a team that values respect, kindness, and shared purpose. You'll be supported daily, working closely with our dedicated Veterinary Nurse.

You'll oversee the rehabilitation of injured and unwell stray animals, as well as those recovering from cruelty or neglect. You'll demonstrate confident, welfare-led practice across a range of veterinary disciplines.

Your responsibilities include:

• Taking ownership of clinical decision-making and providing veterinary leadership in a sole-charge environment, supported by an experienced RVN and animal care team.
• Applying strong general practice and shelter medicine experience to assess, diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of welfare and clinical cases.
• Leading the delivery of preventative healthcare strategies and shelter medicine protocols to maintain high standards of animal health and welfare.
• Performing and overseeing essential surgical procedures, including neutering, dental procedures and other interventions appropriate to the shelter environment.
• Acting as the veterinary lead for welfare assessments, making confident, evidence-based decisions on treatment, rehabilitation, quality of life and rehoming outcomes.
• Providing expert clinical advice and professional guidance to the RSPCA Inspectorate on welfare-related investigations, including complex or sensitive cases.
• Working collaboratively with animal care colleagues, inspectors and operational teams while maintaining professional judgement and accountability for veterinary decisions.
• Championing best practice, continuous improvement and high standards of clinical care across the shelter.

As a Veterinary Surgeon, your work will be varied, meaningful, and impactful. For full details, please see the attached job description

• Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
• At least 3 years' post-qualification clinical experience
• An Interest or experience in shelter medicine
• Experience as a sole-charge vet, comfortable with taking ownership and accountability in decision-making
• A practical, welfare-focused approach to veterinary care
• Confidence handling dogs, cats, small mammals, and initial triage of birds or wildlife (expertise not required)
• Clear, compassionate communication skills, with the ability to explain complex clinical and welfare decisions to a wide range of colleagues
• In light of the cruelty and neglect many of our animals experience, strong emotional resilience is vital.
• Does this sound a strong match of your skills and experience? 

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK. 

We are unable to sponsor visas at the RSPCA.

Choose a career with us and make a difference.

Here's what the process looks like, no surprises, just a friendly guide:

1. Application
   Submit your interest via our careers website,  giving us a sense of your experience, skills, and potential.

2. Panel Interview 

3. This will be with Sally Jones, our amazing Centre Manager and one of our Veterinary team. We'll share further insight into the role and delve a little deeper into your experience and skills through competency-based interview questions.  

4. Post-Interview clinical insight visit
5. If your first stage interview is successful, you'll be invited to visit our Centre Manager and team at Block Fen - this gives you a great opportunity to gain valuable insight into the role and environment.

Need any adjustments during the recruitment process? Just let us know - we're happy to support you.

For the full job details and to apply, click here.