Description

Urgent Care Vets with True Grit – Join a Team That Does What It Can, Where It Counts

Do you want to practise real frontier medicine, the kind that makes a difference when things aren’t perfect?

Can you stay kind and calm and keep your humour when the cases are tough and things are getting a little rough around the edges?

Are you motivated by helping families who’ve been priced out elsewhere, not by chasing gold-standard ideals?

If that sounds like you, East End Animal Surgery and Urgent Care would love to meet you.

About Us

East End Animal Surgery and Urgent Care, Houston exists to serve the people and pets who’ve been left out of the system by offering compassionate, evidence-based urgent care that meets people where they are, without judgement, shame, or compromise. This is care that centres access, dignity, and real-world impact, delivered by a team who believe veterinary medicine can do better.

We work in the real world, where things are rarely perfect but the difference we make is. Not every pet that walks through our doors has had regular care, and not every family can afford the ideal treatment plan, but every single one deserves compassion. We do what we can with what we have, and we do it without judgement. Some days are messy and emotionally heavy, yet we find a way to laugh together and get it done.

Founded by Dr Mackenzie Gallegos, a former shelter vet, this practice was built on the understanding that many families in our community have never been taught what veterinary care could be. They do what they can, when they can, and our team meets them exactly where they are. We put community first, deliver care without prejudice, and value shared wisdom over hierarchy.

Our approach centres on doing the right thing, not the easy thing. Many of our clients arrive having been turned away elsewhere. Most are doing the best they can with what they have, and our team meets them with options, not blame or shame.

We’re a bridge between privilege and access, between clinical medicine and lived reality, proof that urgent care can be both excellent and equitable.

Our Houston clinic operates from a 1930s art-deco building in the East End, a space that is raw, real, and full of potential. It has character, imperfections, and a heartbeat, and it needs people who can see what it can become and want to help build that future.

What makes this practice special is our ethos of service and a team culture we’ve fought hard to protect. We finish each day laughing together, debrief difficult cases with honesty, and step in for each other without being asked. Mistakes are learning opportunities. Boundaries are respected. Everyone is trusted to lead.

If you believe urgent care can be excellent, equitable, and team-led, and you’re ready to help shape an essential community service, we’d love to meet you.

About the Role

This is urgent care that leans more toward ER and shelter medicine than general practice, with a strong focus on surgery and doing what works quickly and effectively. No two shifts look the same.

The pace is fast and the cases are varied. You’ll see everything from wounds and parvo to trauma, blocked cats, and walk-in emergencies alongside routine but important everyday medicine.

The work can be challenging and not every outcome is tidy. You’ll need to make sound, evidence-based decisions in real time, balancing best practice with what is possible for the family in front of you.

You’ll work side by side with a capable, upbeat tech team who are trained and trusted to do far more than in most clinics. They are your lifeline in a busy day.

You’ll be expected to:

• Triage effectively and make evidence-led, pragmatic decisions
• Collaborate with your team to deliver treatment plans that meet clients where they are
• Communicate clearly and kindly with clients and staff
• Delegate confidently to your techs
• Contribute to a learning-focused environment

We practise spectrum-of-care medicine informed by current research, not by cutting corners but by finding the right balance for each situation. If you are open-minded, flexible, and ready for real-world medicine, you’ll thrive here.

About You

You’re driven by purpose, not perfection.

You stay steady when things get messy.

You show compassion without judgement.

You’re confident in your skills and able to work without hand holding.

You value humour as much as hard work.

You’re grounded, curious, and committed to serving families who’ve been turned away elsewhere.

Who This Job Is For

Vets who want to practise real medicine in an imperfect but meaningful environment

Vets who can stay calm, kind, and focused when the day gets tough

Vets who value teamwork, laughter, responsibility, and respect

Vets who enjoy working closely with empowered techs

Vets who are open-minded and ready to grow

Who This Job Is Not For

Vets who need pristine facilities

Vets who struggle with ambiguity or evolving systems

Vets who want minimal client interaction

Vets who find informal, youthful teams challenging to work with

Vets who prioritise ideals over real-world impact

The Practical Details

Location: Houston, TX

Schedule: Three 12-hour shifts per week

Salary: Starting at $140k, up to $180k

Benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with 3% match
• Two weeks PTO
• CE allowance ($3,000)
• Licensing and professional fees paid
• Profit-sharing potential
• Loan Repayment Assistance
• Staff discount (at cost)

Relocation support available for the right candidate

How to Apply

If you’ve read this far and feel drawn to what we do, we’d love to hear from you.

Send your CV and a short note telling us what urgent care means to you to oliver@vetxinternational.com. It doesn’t need to be polished; it just needs to be honest.

We know we’re not perfect, but we’re real. And for the right person, this could be the most meaningful work of your career.