Veterinarian Jobs in Kentucky
Veterinarian jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green, where a strong mix of companion animal practices, equine facilities, and agricultural operations creates steady demand across experience levels. Kentucky's horse country drives one of the most distinctive equine veterinary markets in the country, while large-animal and food-safety work ties closely to the state's cattle and livestock industry. Established employers with lasting presences across Kentucky include Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Banfield Pet Hospital, and the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 62+ Veterinarian jobs
Petco Veterinary Services offers relief veterinarians the chance to work in two distinct settings: Vetco Vaccination Clinics and Vetco Total Care full-service veterinary hospitals. In both environments, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of pets every day.
As a relief veterinarian with Petco, you'll enjoy flexible online scheduling, allowing you to choose shifts that work best for your lifestyle. There's no minimum or maximum number of shifts required, and we offer a variety of weekday and weekend hours to fit your needs. You also have the freedom to set your own rate for each shift, ensuring you have control over your compensation. Continue practice activities outside of Petco shifts and enjoy NO agency fees!
Our appointment-based model helps manage patient flow and ensures you're able to leave on time, while our trained, experienced staff handles the operations, letting you focus on providing the best care possible. Stay up to date with important clinic news, policy updates, and product announcements through our monthly newsletter. And as a bonus, enjoy a 15% discount on all Petco products and services, perfect for treating your own pets.
What's the difference between Vetco Vaccination Clinics and Vetco Total Care Hospitals?
Vetco Vaccination Clinics: These clinics focus on basic wellness checks, vaccinations, heartworm testing, and microchip placement. We do not offer surgeries, emergency, or illness care. Our locations are primarily within Petco stores, with a few housed in advanced mobile van units.
Vetco Total Care: These full-service veterinary hospitals offer a complete range of services, from preventive care and diagnostic workups to outpatient surgeries and dental procedures. Our hospitals are equipped with digital dental X-rays, Butterfly IQ+ Vet ultrasound imaging, and fully equipped surgery suites, including heated hydraulic surgery tables, full anesthesia monitoring, and more. Licensed and trained hospital staff ensure the highest standards of care, with no overnight or emergency on-call shifts.
Requirements
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine state license in good standing
- Appropriate state-specific licensing to perform all shift functions including the ability to perform blood draws & administer vaccines
- DEA in good standing required for full-service Vetco Total Care hospital relief shifts
- Ability to provide Professional Liability Insurance + license defense policy
- Compliance with all local state and federal mandates
Ready to Make a Difference?
Vetco Vaccination Clinics and Vetco Total Care full-service hospitals provide access to high-quality veterinary care in 48 states. Help us continue providing exceptional care to pets across the country. Explore available locations for relief shifts and discover where you can make an impact.
Together, we're making pet healthcare better.
Send an email or schedule a call directly with one of our Talent Advisors to learn more! Explore all open shift locations on the Vetco Clinics website.
Petco Veterinary Services offers relief veterinarians the chance to work in two distinct settings: Vetco Vaccination Clinics and Vetco Total Care full-service veterinary hospitals. In both environments, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of pets every day.
As a relief veterinarian with Petco, you'll enjoy flexible online scheduling, allowing you to choose shifts that work best for your lifestyle. There's no minimum or maximum number of shifts required, and we offer a variety of weekday and weekend hours to fit your needs. You also have the freedom to set your own rate for each shift, ensuring you have control over your compensation. Continue practice activities outside of Petco shifts and enjoy NO agency fees!
Our appointment-based model helps manage patient flow and ensures you're able to leave on time, while our trained, experienced staff handles the operations, letting you focus on providing the best care possible. Stay up to date with important clinic news, policy updates, and product announcements through our monthly newsletter. And as a bonus, enjoy a 15% discount on all Petco products and services, perfect for treating your own pets.
What's the difference between Vetco Vaccination Clinics and Vetco Total Care Hospitals?
Vetco Vaccination Clinics: These clinics focus on basic wellness checks, vaccinations, heartworm testing, and microchip placement. We do not offer surgeries, emergency, or illness care. Our locations are primarily within Petco stores, with a few housed in advanced mobile van units.
Vetco Total Care: These full-service veterinary hospitals offer a complete range of services, from preventive care and diagnostic workups to outpatient surgeries and dental procedures. Our hospitals are equipped with digital dental X-rays, Butterfly IQ+ Vet ultrasound imaging, and fully equipped surgery suites, including heated hydraulic surgery tables, full anesthesia monitoring, and more. Licensed and trained hospital staff ensure the highest standards of care, with no overnight or emergency on-call shifts.
Requirements
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine state license in good standing
- Appropriate state-specific licensing to perform all shift functions including the ability to perform blood draws & administer vaccines
- DEA in good standing required for full-service Vetco Total Care hospital relief shifts
- Ability to provide Professional Liability Insurance + license defense policy
- Compliance with all local state and federal mandates
Ready to Make a Difference?
Vetco Vaccination Clinics and Vetco Total Care full-service hospitals provide access to high-quality veterinary care in 48 states. Help us continue providing exceptional care to pets across the country. Explore available locations for relief shifts and discover where you can make an impact.
Together, we're making pet healthcare better.
Send an email or schedule a call directly with one of our Talent Advisors to learn more! Explore all open shift locations on the Vetco Clinics website.
See All 62 Veterinarian Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Veterinarian JobsVeterinarian Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Veterinarian Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Heartstrings Pet Hospice, In-Home Euthanasia & Aftercare19
- Vetco6
- DESORT STAFFING6
- IndeVets2
- PetVet Care Centers2
Top Industries Hiring
- Animal Care & Pet Services
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in veterinarian jobs across Kentucky.
- Active Kentucky veterinary license issued by the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an AVMA-accredited college or university
- Passing scores on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and Kentucky state law exam
- Experience with equine, large-animal, or companion animal patients depending on practice focus
- Valid DEA registration for controlled substance prescribing and dispensing
- Strong diagnostic skills including radiography, ultrasound, and clinical laboratory interpretation
Veterinarian Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a veterinarian in Kentucky?
You must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination, then apply to the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners for your state license. Kentucky also requires passing a state jurisprudence exam covering Kentucky veterinary law. Graduates may apply directly after passing both exams, and those with licenses in other states can apply for licensure by endorsement through the same board.
How much do veterinarians make in Kentucky?
Veterinarians 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 companies hire veterinarians in Kentucky?
Kentucky veterinarian roles are posted by Heartstrings Pet Hospice, In-Home Euthanasia & Aftercare, Vetco, and DESORT STAFFING and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Kentucky's equine industry and large agricultural operations mean a notable share of openings come from specialty equine hospitals and university-affiliated practices not found in most other states.
Which Kentucky cities have the most veterinarian jobs?
Louisville, Lexington, and Florence lead Kentucky for veterinarian openings. Louisville anchors the companion animal and emergency specialty market as the state's largest metro, Lexington sits at the heart of Kentucky's Thoroughbred horse country and drives strong equine demand, and Bowling Green's growth as a regional center has brought expanded mixed-practice and suburban pet clinic hiring to south-central Kentucky.
Are there remote veterinarian jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. About 50% of veterinarian openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most clinical work. The roles most likely to include a remote component are telehealth triage consultation, veterinary medical review for insurance carriers, and regulatory or public-health veterinarian positions that do not require direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a veterinarian in Kentucky with little or no experience?
New graduates should target internship and residency programs, with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington and the University of Kentucky Veterinary Teaching Hospital offering structured training for candidates entering equine or large-animal practice. Companion animal associate positions at corporate-affiliated practices are also accessible to new DVMs. Obtaining your Kentucky license promptly and completing a USDA accreditation course adds immediate value for large-animal and food-safety roles across the state.
Where can I find and apply to veterinarian jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to veterinarian jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky openings across companion animal, equine, large-animal, and specialty practices. Find roles that fit your experience and practice focus and apply directly to each employer.
See All 62 Veterinarian Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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