Location

Kansas City, Missouri (serving the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas; services may be

provided at fixed facilities and via a licensed mobile RV clinic)

Position Overview

Always & Furever (A&F) is seeking an experienced Weekend Specialty Surgical Veterinarian to

provide high-quality surgical and medical care to rescue partners and, as capacity allows, the

broader community through its one-of-a-kind Veterinary Rescue Collaboration (VRC) program.

The VRC is a structured, invitation-only program that provides dedicated surgical and medical

capacity to rescue partners through a tiered monthly retainer model. The program emphasizes

high-impact care for shelter and rescue animals, including high-volume spay/neuter, and advanced

soft-tissue and orthopedic procedures. The VRC is actively growing, and as new rescue partners

are added, there is opportunity for expanded responsibilities and hours over time for the right

candidate.

Clinical services are delivered at fixed facilities and, at times, through a licensed mobile RV clinic

serving partner locations within the Kansas City metro and surrounding areas.

This role is designed for an experienced practitioner who can work independently without onsite

collegial support, with established protocols and remote backup available as needed. The position

is benefits-eligible and offers a predictable daytime weekend schedule with no mandatory

overnight ER shifts.

We are committed to building a sustainable, practitioner-first environment with competent

support staff, modern equipment, clear protocols, and a culture that respects the boundaries

of this role — because a well-supported veterinarian delivers the best outcomes for the

animals and partners we serve.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the Medical Director.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary: $75,000 per year

o Salary may be negotiable based on experience, surgical caseload history, and ability to

perform advanced soft-tissue and orthopedic procedures

• Schedule:

o Clinical hours: Friday through Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm 

• Benefits (per organizational policies):

o Health insurance

o 40 hours of paid time off (PTO) per year

o Professional liability coverage

o Support for licensure and continuing education (CE)o Mission-driven, collaborative rescue and veterinary team environment

Key Responsibilities

• Perform high-quality surgical care for VRC partner animals, including:

o High-volume spay/neuter

o Advanced soft-tissue procedures, such as mass removals and mastectomies,

gastrointestinal foreign body surgeries, cystotomies, splenectomies, aural hematoma

repairs, cherry eye repairs, and enucleations

o Dental procedures, including extractions

o Selected orthopedic procedures appropriate to a rescue or shelter setting, such as basic

fracture stabilization, limb amputations, patellar luxation repair, and femoral head and

neck ostectomy, with more complex cases referred to orthopedic or specialty centers as

indicated

• Provide medical examinations, diagnostics, and treatment planning for rescue animals within

the VRC program, consistent with established protocols and resource considerations

• Deliver care at fixed clinic locations and, when indicated, within a mobile RV clinic setting,

maintaining appropriate standards of sterility, safety, and workflow in both environments

• Work efficiently and safely in a largely independent weekend environment, following VRC

standards of care and clinical guidelines

• Complete accurate, timely medical records, including operative reports, discharge

instructions, and communication with partner organizations

• Collaborate with Medical Director on:

o Case review and follow-up planning

o Population-level health strategies and programmatic decisions related to animal welfare

• Participate in limited, pre-agreed after-hours involvement (e.g., triage input or program-

related communication outside weekend clinic hours), with clear expectations and

boundaries

Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) from an accredited institution

• Current license (or eligibility for licensure) to practice veterinary medicine in Kansas and

Missouri, as required for program locations

• Current (or willingness to obtain) USDA accreditation

• Experience in high-volume spay/neuter and advanced soft-tissue surgery

• Experience performing selected orthopedic procedures in dogs and/or cats (e.g., basic

fracture stabilization, patellar luxation stabilization, femoral head and neck ostectomy), with

appropriate case selection and postoperative management

• Prior shelter, rescue, or high-volume clinical experience preferred, not required.• Demonstrated ability to work independently and confidently in a surgical and medical setting

without onsite collegial backup, while collaborating effectively with leadership and staff

• Commitment to mission-driven, welfare-focused care for animals and to respectful, trauma-

informed interactions with clients, partners, and team members

• Excellent communication skills and comfort with written and electronic tools for case

management and protocol implementation

• Comfort working in both fixed-facility and mobile clinical environments, including RV-

based surgery or clinic setups

Ideal Candidate

• Thrives in a structured yet dynamic weekend environment with a consistent schedule

• Enjoys surgery and problem-solving in a resource-conscious, rescue-oriented setting and is

energized by a mix of routine, advanced soft-tissue, and selected orthopedic procedures

• Practices spectrum-of-care medicine utilizing best practices to provide both preventative care

and illness workup Values a role that blends hands-on clinical work with program-level

impact through protocols, case review, and collaboration with partner organizations

• Is comfortable taking ownership of weekend clinical decision-making within a clear

framework of VRC protocols and organizational support

• Is motivated by a growing program and excited by the opportunity to expand their role as the

VRC scales

Organization: Always & Furever

Position Type: Unpaid Internship

Schedule: Approximately 5 hours per week

Location: Remote, with occasional in-person opportunities if desired

Position Level: First-year or Second year law student preferred

About Always & Furever

Always & Furever is not a basic rescue or shelter operation. It is a growing, mission-driven animal

rescue and sanctuary working at the intersection of animal welfare, medical support, nonprofit

operations, and multi-state compliance.

What makes Always & Furever different is the scope and complexity of its work. The organization is

involved not only in rescuing and placing animals, but also in managing medical cases, supporting

veterinary access, navigating rescue and shelter regulations, coordinating across Kansas and Missouri

requirements, and building systems that protect both animals and the organization.

Because Always & Furever operates in a region where animal rescue, veterinary oversight, transport,

fostering, nonprofit governance, and public-facing programming often intersect, the organization

regularly encounters real-world legal and compliance questions that go beyond the typical shelter

experience. These may include issues involving rescue standards, foster oversight, veterinary

relationships, internal veterinarian rescue collaboration partnerships, contracts, waivers, policies,

animal care documentation, cross-state operational questions, bite statutes, code ordinance and state

regulatory expectations.

The organization’s work may involve understanding and supporting issues related to agencies and

frameworks such as the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Missouri Department of Agriculture,

veterinary regulatory requirements, rescue and shelter rules, program standards for medical and

animal care operations, and the legal structure needed to support a complex and expanding animal

welfare mission.

For a law student, this makes the internship unique. It offers exposure to the legal side of a modern

rescue organization that is growing, building systems, handling medical-program-related questions,

and working through the practical realities of compliance, operational risk, and mission expansion.

Position Overview

Always & Furever is seeking a motivated first or second year law student for an unpaid internship

focused on animal law, nonprofit legal research, compliance support, governance, policy-related

projects, and operational legal issue spotting. This is a learning-focused opportunity for a law student

who wants hands-on exposure to legal issues affecting animal rescue, nonprofit operations, animal

welfare, veterinary-adjacent compliance questions, and mission-driven advocacy work.

The intern will support research, writing, issue spotting, document review, and internal legal support

projects while learning how legal strategy can strengthen and protect an animal rescue and sanctuary

organization.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research related to animal law, nonprofit compliance, rescue operations,

contracts, liability, volunteer policies, and operational risk.

• Assist with research involving cross-state rescue and compliance issues affecting Kansas and

Missouri operations.• Help review statutes, regulations, administrative guidance, and legal developments related to

rescue organizations, shelters, fostering, transport, and veterinary-related operational

requirements.

• Support projects involving nonprofit governance, policies, waivers, intake practices, transfer

agreements, foster expectations, and program documentation.

• Draft research memos, issue summaries, internal guidance documents, and practical written

recommendations for leadership.

• Help identify legal or compliance questions that may affect rescue growth, medical

programming, partnerships, and operational expansion.

• Assist with policy and advocacy research involving animal welfare protections and related public

policy issues.

• Organize research in a practical, easy-to-use format for internal leadership use.

• Maintain confidentiality and use discretion with sensitive organizational information.

Learning Opportunities

This internship is intended to help a first or second year law student build practical experience in:

• Legal research and writing.

• Issue spotting and legal analysis.

• Animal law and animal welfare advocacy.

• Nonprofit governance and compliance.

• Rescue and shelter operational legal questions.

• Cross-state compliance awareness.

• Translating legal research into real-world guidance for a mission-driven organization.

The intern will gain exposure to how legal work supports an active rescue and sanctuary organization,

helps reduce risk, supports better policies, improves compliance, and strengthens long-term

organizational growth.

Qualifications

• Current first-year law student in good standing, or incoming/rising law student depending on

timing.

• Strong interest in animal law, nonprofit law, regulatory issues, compliance, policy, or mission-

driven legal work.

• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.

• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to work independently in a remote setting.

• Professional written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to handle confidential or sensitive information appropriately.

• Familiarity with Westlaw, Lexis, or similar legal research tools is helpful but not required.

Schedule and Format

• Approximately 5 hours per week.

• Flexible schedule.• Remote work is permitted.

• Internship length may be structured around the academic semester, trimester, or summer term.

• Supervision and project assignments will be coordinated based on organizational needs and the

student’s learning goals.

Compensation

This is an unpaid internship with a nonprofit organization and is intended to provide educational,

skills-based experience in animal law, nonprofit legal work, and compliance-related research.

If the student’s law school allows academic credit, externship credit, pro bono credit, or volunteer

service recognition, Always & Furever is open to discussing supporting documentation where

appropriate.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is curious, thoughtful, compassionate, and eager to learn. This role is best suited

to a law student who wants practical research and writing experience, cares deeply about animals, and

is interested in how legal work can support and protect a growing rescue organization.

The strongest candidate will be comfortable working in a developing environment where issues are

real, varied, and mission-centered, and where legal research needs to be translated into practical next

steps rather than purely academic analysis.

Why This Internship Is Different

This is not a generic legal internship and it is not limited to abstract animal law theory. The student

will be exposed to the real-world legal questions that arise when an organization is expanding rescue

work, growing its medical and veterinary-adjacent programming, operating across state lines, building

internal systems, and trying to stay compliant while continuing to serve animals at a high level.

The internship offers a rare opportunity to see how legal thinking applies directly to animal welfare

operations, rescue management, nonprofit governance, veterinary relationships, compliance systems,

contracts, policies, and organizational growth.

For a law student interested in animal law, this role provides unusually practical exposure to the legal

infrastructure behind rescue work.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Resume

• Short cover letter or statement of interest

• Law school name and current year

• General availability

What You'll Do

✅ Provide daily care for dogs, cats, and kittens — including feeding, watering, bottle-feeding neonatal kittens on schedule, and administering medications (heartworm & flea/tick prevention, plus kitten-specific care as directed). 

✅ Walk and exercise dogs throughout your shift; provide enrichment, handling, and socialization for cats and kittens. 

✅ Monitor neonatal kittens closely — weigh, chart, and report any concerns to the team lead promptly. 

✅ Clean and disinfect kennels, cat rooms, kitten nursery spaces, floors, furniture, bowls, litter boxes, and bedding to maintain a safe, sanitary environment. 

✅ Pick up waste, scoop litter, handle laundry, and keep supplies organized and restocked. 

✅ Give every animal love, gentle handling, and the socialization they need to grow confident and adoptable. 

✅ Assist with events at the barn as needed. 

✅ Take and share quality photos and videos to help promote our adoptable dogs, cats, and kittens. 

✅ Accept and organize deliveries; help build and assemble kennels, kitten nursery setups, and other barn supplies. 

✅ Assist the Maintenance Lead as needed (mowing, shoveling snow, light upkeep, etc.).

What We're Looking For

✔ Animal care experience required — Comfortable working around multiple dogs (including reactive ones), cats, and fragile neonatal kittens. 

✔ Bottle-feeding or willingness to learn — Neonatal kittens require feeding around the clock during their earliest weeks; we'll train the right person. 

✔ Physical stamina — Able to lift 50 lbs and stay on your feet for 4+ hours. 

✔ Reliable & responsible — Consistency is everything, especially for kittens whose lives depend on regular feedings. 

✔ Calm, gentle hands — Neonates and shy cats need a steady, patient presence. 

✔ Great communication & social media skills — Ability to capture quality photos and videos for adoption promotion. 

✔ 18+ years old.

Schedule & Commitment

• Must be willing to commit to a set schedule for consistency in animal care.
• Must be willing to work holidays, nights, and weekends.
• Flexibility for occasional overnight or extended-shift coverage during neonatal kitten season is a plus.

Why Join Us?

This isn't just a job — it's a chance to make a real difference for animals who need us most. From newborn kittens fighting for their first weeks of life to senior dogs waiting for their forever family, every shift matters. If you're hardworking, animal-loving, and ready to spend your days caring for some of the most grateful pups, kitties, and tiny tumbling kittens you'll ever meet, we'd love to welcome you to the Always & Furever family. ❤️

With kindness, dignity, and respect.Thank you for helping us say yes to those who need it most.