Registered Veterinary Technician

Job Summary

The City of Mississauga's Animal Services Division is committed to promoting animal welfare, public safety, and responsible pet ownership through compassionate care, progressive sheltering practices, and community engagement. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) to join our Animal Care & Well-Being team.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your veterinary nursing expertise in a municipal shelter environment where animal welfare, shelter medicine, and public service come together. Working within a Fear Free and low-stress handling framework, you will play a key role in supporting animal health, population wellness, disease prevention, and humane care practices that improve outcomes for animals in our community.

If you are passionate about animal welfare, thrive in a collaborative environment, and are committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of animals and the residents we serve, we encourage you to apply.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you will:

• Deliver compassionate, Fear Free care that supports both physical and emotional well-being.
• Recognize health and behavioural concerns early and respond appropriately.
• Contribute to reduced stress and improved outcomes for shelter animals.
• Maintain accurate and thorough medical documentation.
• Demonstrate professionalism, empathy, and sound clinical judgment.
• Build strong working relationships with staff, veterinarians, volunteers, and community partners.
• Support a safe, welcoming, and humane shelter environment.
• Adapt to changing operational priorities while maintaining high standards of care.

Duties and Responsibilities

Animal Health & Welfare

• Conduct daily physical and behavioural assessments using low-stress handling techniques.
• Identify signs of illness, injury, pain, fear, anxiety, stress, or behavioural concerns and escalate appropriately.
• Recommend individualized care plans that support animal health, welfare, and emotional well-being.
• Ensure animals' needs are met throughout intake, treatment, housing, recovery, transfer, adoption preparation, and end-of-life care.
• Assist with feeding, cleaning, grooming, enrichment, and general animal care duties as required to support health and welfare outcomes.

Intake, Triage & Animal Flow

• Perform intake examinations and health screenings of incoming animals.
• Assess and prioritize animals based on medical urgency, behaviour, and stress levels.
• Support housing and placement decisions, including isolation, quarantine, or alternative housing recommendations.
• Apply shelter medicine, population management, and disease prevention practices to support animal health and capacity management.
• Communicate findings and recommendations clearly to veterinarians, leadership, and operational staff to support informed decision-making.

Medical & Nursing Care

Under veterinary supervision or approved medical directives:

• Administer medications, vaccines, parasite prevention treatments, wound care, and supportive therapies.
• Collect laboratory specimens and perform diagnostic support procedures.
• Monitor patient progress and response to treatment.
• Maintain accurate medical records and treatment documentation.
• Utilize Fear Free and low-stress handling techniques during examinations and procedures.
• Monitor clinical and behavioural responses, documenting changes and escalating concerns as required.
• Assist with or perform humane euthanasia in accordance with applicable legislation, City policies, and veterinary direction.

Population Health & Infection Control

• Support shelter-wide infection prevention, control, and infection control practices.
• Monitor population health trends and identify emerging health risks.
• Recommend interventions that reduce disease transmission and stress, including housing modifications, enrichment strategies, cohorting practices, and shelter traffic-flow improvements.
• Participate in outbreak management and emergency response activities.
• Promote best practices in sanitation, infection control, and animal welfare.
• Support humane, welfare-focused responses during disease outbreaks or high-capacity shelter operations.

Team Support & Veterinary Coordination

• Provide functional guidance to Animal Care Attendants, Animal Care Assistants, and other shelter staff regarding animal health monitoring, medication administration, and low-stress handling practices.
• Assist with workflow coordination and inventory management of medical supplies and equipment.
• Communicate medical observations, treatment updates, and animal welfare concerns accurately and professionally.
• Collaborate with veterinarians, rescue partners, community veterinary clinics, and shelter leadership to support high-quality animal care.
• Support staff training and education related to animal health, welfare, shelter medicine, and Fear Free principles.
• Contribute to a positive, respectful, and team-oriented workplace culture.

Skills and Qualifications

• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in good standing with the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) and/or Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT).
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of veterinary technician experience, preferably in shelter medicine, emergency medicine, animal welfare, or high-volume care environments.
• Strong knowledge of animal health assessment, nursing care, disease prevention, and patient monitoring.
• Excellent observational, triage, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to animal welfare and Fear Free sheltering principles.
• Ability to work effectively within a municipal animal services environment that balances animal welfare, public service, and regulatory responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills.
• Valid Class G Driver's Licence in good standing.
• Fear Free Shelters Certification, or willingness to obtain certification.
• Experience with shelter medicine, population health management, low-stress handling programs, and animal welfare organizations is considered an asset.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or training staff is considered an asset.
• Current rabies vaccination and annual titre verification.