Animal Surgeon Jobs in Kentucky
Animal Surgeon jobs in Kentucky are open across Lexington, Louisville, and Nicholasville and other Kentucky metros, with employers like VCA Animal Hospitals, Banfield Pet Hospital, and Heartland Veterinary Partners hiring at every experience level. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people — providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage — for all the moments that matter. Because life is better with pets. We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience — every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve. With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:
- Local autonomy with national support
- Career mobility and development opportunities
- A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first
You care for pets. We care for you.
Position Overview
We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Board-Certified or Residency Trained Small Animal Internist to join our team. The ideal candidate will be passionate about providing high-quality veterinary care and possess excellent communication skills to build lasting relationships with our clients. You will work alongside a team of experienced veterinarians, technicians, and support staff and will work closely with the Hospital Manager and Regional Manager. This position comes with a leadership opportunity for qualified candidates.
Bluegrass Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency (BVS) is a 24-hour referral and emergency hospital in Lexington, KY. Our philosophy is to practice high quality, advanced medicine while maintaining an individualized approach for each patient and owner. Services offered include flexible and rigid endoscopy, laparoscopy, interventional radiology, fluoroscopy, digital radiography and 3-D, HD CT scan. The internal medicine support staff is outstanding and excellent emergency clinicians provide after-hours coverage.
We are currently offering:
- Base salary of up to $250,000 for experienced candidates and one of the best production policies in the industry
- Relocation reimbursement or travel stipend for non-local candidates
- Generous Sign on Bonus
Ready to take the next step? Apply today! For questions or to connect directly, please email your resume to Emily Lunsford at elunsford@petvetcarecenters.com.
Key Responsibilities
- Comprehensive patient exams and medical work-ups
- Client communication and education
- Maintaining accurate medical records
- Pharmacy duties such as prescribing medications to patients and following controlled substance protocols
- Promote teamwork and staff efficiency
- Work with the Hospital Manager on weekly priorities and expectations
- Evaluate and monitor protocols for the daily running of the hospital from intake to discharge
- Monitor cases in the hospital and attend daily rounds when possible to be sure the highest standards are being upheld
- Participate in practice management updates and training at all levels
- Performs other duties as assigned by Management.
Qualifications (Required)
- Veterinarian degree (DVM or VMD) from an accredited college or university
- 1-year rotational internship in small animal medicine, surgery, ER (university or large referral practice).
- Completed a 3-year, AVMA approved residency program
- Current State Veterinary License
- DEA registration must be obtained and maintained
- Strong diagnostic and clinical skills.
- Ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
- Commitment to providing compassionate and high-quality veterinary care.
- Excellent Communication Skills and the ability to communicate effectively, efficiently, and in a timely manner with all members of the Medical and Hospital staff.
- Client communication skills, must be able to elicit information, establish rapport, offer explanations with pet owners.
- Display confidence and reassurance when dealing with pets experiencing severe stress, illness, or pain.
- May include some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.
- Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work.
- Position does require the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Preferred Skills (Nice To Have)
- Board Certification
- 2-5 years of experience post-residency
- Clinical Knowledge and Skills: Demonstrate clinical knowledge and skill in examining and assessing animals. Perform cardiovascular, respiratory, orthopedic, neurological and other necessary examinations. Diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to develop solutions to challenges relating to the management of a high-quality veterinary hospital.
- Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective communication of diagnostic and therapeutic options to clients. Display effective communication with internal medical and hospital staff.
- Professionalism: Work as part of a high-quality, professional veterinary team with the ability to provide and receive appropriate constructive criticism, suggestions, and feedback.
- Business Acumen: Ability to understand the management and finances of the veterinary hospital practice.
- Ethics: Knowledge and understanding of ethical principles that guide decisions affecting patients.
- Commitment to Continuing Education: Commitment to utilize available resources of continuing education and to facilitate learning of others.
What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members — professionally and personally. Benefits include:
- Signing, retention and relocation packages up to $75,000
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
- 401(k) with discretionary contribution
- Team Member Pet Discounts
- Emotional wellbeing support — including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
- CE stipends and career development resources
- Grant Circle — a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
Pay Range $200,000—$300,000 USD
At PetVet Care Centers, we’re committed to a Culture of Care — for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 420 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive. Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you’re providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.
You care for pets. We care for you.
PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V
PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.
See All 37 Animal Surgeon Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Surgeon JobsAnimal Surgeon Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Animal Surgeon Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- VCA Animal Hospitals5

- Banfield Pet Hospital4

- Heartland Veterinary Partners3

- PetVet Care Centers3

- 970 Dr Chicken Shack2

Top Industries Hiring
- Animal Care & Pet Services17
- Agriculture & Farming2
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Consumer Goods1
- Food & Beverage1
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in animal surgeon jobs across Kentucky.
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an AVMA-accredited institution
- ACVS board certification or current residency-trained diplomate eligibility
- Proficiency in soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures across small animals
- Experience with advanced imaging interpretation including CT and MRI
- State veterinary license in good standing for the location of practice
- Strong client communication skills for pre- and post-operative consultations
Animal Surgeon Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How many animal surgeon jobs are there in Kentucky?
There are 37+ animal surgeon openings in Kentucky on Migrate Mate as of June 2026, with the most roles in Lexington, Louisville, and Nicholasville. New positions post regularly as employers across Kentucky hire.
How much do animal surgeons make in Kentucky?
Animal surgeons in Kentucky earn a median of about $104,100 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $44,200 for the lowest 10% to over $169,220 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which Kentucky cities have the most animal surgeon jobs?
Lexington, Louisville, and Nicholasville have the most animal surgeon openings in Kentucky right now, with additional roles spread across smaller metros statewide.
Which companies hire animal surgeons in Kentucky?
Employers hiring animal surgeons in Kentucky include VCA Animal Hospitals, Banfield Pet Hospital, and Heartland Veterinary Partners, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026.
Are there remote animal surgeon jobs in Kentucky?
Yes. About 0% of animal surgeon openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The rest are on-site roles based in Kentucky metros.
How do I apply for animal surgeon jobs in Kentucky?
You can apply to animal surgeon jobs in Kentucky directly on Migrate Mate. Search the listings above, find roles that match your experience and preferred Kentucky location, then apply to each one that fits.
See All 37 Animal Surgeon Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Animal Surgeon Jobs