Recruiting is hard, especially in the veterinary field. While recruiting for veterinarians might seem like something you can simplify by looking at how many candidates a recruiter has placed, the truth is none of that guarantees success for your practice.
If you’re a small or privately owned veterinary clinic, the traditional “big box” veterinary recruiting agencies might not have your best interests at heart. You’ll often get hit with a hefty price tag, treated like just another client, and sent candidates that may look good on paper but aren’t the right fit for your team or your mission. These companies are often more focused on volume than fit, and when you’re just one of hundreds of veterinary clinics they work with, your needs can get lost.
A Recruiter for Independent Veterinary Clinics
I’m Austin, the Recruiting Manager here at Vetcelerator, and I’ve seen this from both sides. Before I got into recruiting, I owned a small family business for over a decade. I know how much every hire matters. I know how it feels to pour everything into something and still be treated like a number by people who are supposed to be helping you grow.
That’s what pushed me into recruiting. I wanted to give smaller businesses like independent veterinary clinics the kind of hiring support and partnership they rarely get.
In veterinary recruiting, there’s one role that gets all the attention: the DVM. Why? Because DVM recruiting is where the big commissions live. Unfortunately, that means some recruiters will send anyone with a degree just to close the deal, regardless of whether they’re a long-term fit for your clinic. That kind of short-sighted approach isn’t helping anyone, especially not in a field already facing a massive shortage of qualified veterinarians.
So, what should a clinic owner or practice manager actually look for when choosing a veterinary recruiter? The following are five questions you should consider for selecting a great recruiter.
1. Does the Recruiter Know the Veterinary Industry?
You wouldn’t want a recruiter who’s never set foot in a clinic trying to find your next DVM or vet tech. The nuances of veterinary hiring are complex and emotionally charged. Your recruiter should understand:
- What burnout looks like in this field and how to spot it early in candidates
- The day-to-day dynamics of a general practice, emergency facility, or integrative clinic
- What makes someone thrive in a high-volume environment versus a slower-paced one
- Why personality fit can be just as important as surgical skill
Vetcelerator speaks your language and understands your struggles. We find a candidate who won’t just do the job at your veterinary clinic, but who fits your team.
2. How Big is the Veterinary Recruiting Team?
If you’re an independent vet clinic, you know what it’s like to wear ten hats and fight for every inch of growth. Working with a veterinary recruiter who understands that hustle makes a difference.
A smaller veterinary recruiting agency (or solo recruiters) often brings:
- Personal investment in your success
- One-on-one attention and specific strategies
- The ability to move quickly and respond like a real partner
At Vetcelerator, you’re not just a cog in our recruiting system. You’re a veterinary practice we believe in and one we will work hard to make sure the job candidates you get are ones who help you thrive, not slow you down.
3. Will the Recruiter Think Long-Term About Your Vet Clinic?
Veterinary hiring is high-stakes. Any person can fill a shift, but you’re building a team, a culture, and a reputation. A recruiter for veterinarians who is chasing commission will send over any warm body with a license. A long-term thinker will:
- Ask tough questions to understand your vet clinic’s personality and brand
- Turn down “good-on-paper” candidates who aren’t a fit
- Care about the next hire and the one after that because they’re in this with you for the long haul
Vetcelerator believes a vet clinic recruiter should be more concerned with getting it right than getting it fast.
4. Will Your Veterinary Recruiter Communicate with You?
Hiring is stressful, especially when you’re already managing a caseload, supporting your staff, and covering lunch breaks. The last thing you need is radio silence from someone you’re paying for veterinary hiring support.
A vet clinic recruiter who values communication will:
- Set realistic expectations and timelines from the start
- Check in regularly, even when they don’t have a new candidate
- Keep you looped in on where they’re sourcing, what they’re hearing, and what’s working (or not)
If they’re disappearing for weeks or only emailing when they want to push a candidate, that’s not a recruiting partner. That’s a sales rep. Vetcelerator values transparency and communication in everything that we do.
5. Are They Persistent When Recruiting for Vet Clinics?
The veterinary shortage is real, and that means the right candidate might take time to find. A good recruiter doesn’t panic when the first few weeks are slow. Instead, they dig in deeper.
You want a recruiter for your veterinary practice who:
- Keeps going, even when the pipeline feels dry
- Changes tactics if the first approach isn’t working
- Checks in to get your feedback and uses it to refine the search
- Doesn’t quit on you just because the search got tough
Because at Vetcelerator, we know the truth is that placing someone who isn’t a fit is way more expensive in the long run than waiting a little longer for the right one.
Find Better Candidates for Your Veterinary Clinic
You’ve worked hard to build your clinic. Every new hire either strengthens your foundation or puts a crack in it. Who you trust to find those new hires matters.
Don’t settle for a veterinary recruiter who treats you like a transaction. Don’t chase flashy placement numbers or a fancy veterinary recruiting agency logo. Look for someone who sees your vision, understands your field, and treats your success like it’s their own.
Build Something That Lasts with Recruiting Through Vetcelerator
If you’re a veterinary clinic that’s tired of feeling like just another client on a list, I’d love the chance to show you what a real partnership looks like through recruiting services at Vetcelerator. I work with independent and privately owned practices across the country, places that care deeply about their teams and the work they do. I bring that same level of care to all veterinary hiring support. Whether you’re recruiting for veterinarians, tech, or support staff, I’m here to help you grow with the right people, not just any people.
And if you’re a veterinarian or vet professional looking for something new (maybe a clinic that actually supports your career, your growth, and your values), reach out. I don’t place people just to fill a role. I work hard to connect candidates with the right practice for everyone involved. You deserve more than a recruiter chasing a commission. You deserve someone who listens.
Contact Vetcelerator and let’s start a conversation.
