Veterinarian

Veterinarians treat and diagnose diseases and injuries of animals, as well as conduct routine examinations to ensure they are healthy.

Veterinarian Job Description

Administer and prescribe medication to animals.

Advise clients on health, nutrition, feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals.

Perform autopsies to determine the cause of death in animals.

Perform routine exams to make sure animals are healthy.

Perform surgery on animals if required.

Diagnose and treat animal diseases and injuries.

Vaccinate animals against various diseases.

Educate the public on health risks.

Collaborate with Animal Control for wildlife and stray animal cases.

Note

Remember, Veterinarians' role extends beyond medical care; it's about compassion, understanding, and providing comfort to both animals and their owners. Your dedication and expertise make a significant difference in their lives.

A day in the life

ACRES Veterinary Keeper

Who takes care of Singapore's wildlife? Watch how these unique animals are found and taken care of by Veterinary Keepers before being re-released into the wild.

What you should know about Veterinarian jobs in Singapore

Nature of Work

As Veterinarians, you will take on various roles to care for animals! You will be a Surgeon, Dentist, Anaesthetist, Radiologist, and Obstetrician.

Key Advice

You must act with empathy and tact when discussing surgery outcomes with pet owners as it will be an emotional moment for them.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements
Minimally a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine from Veterinary schools accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC). AVMA-accredited Veterinary schools in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the US issue these degrees.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) offers an 11-semester concurrent degree programme with The University of Melbourne. You need to gain admission into NUS’s Faculty of Science and declare your intent to major in Life Sciences. You can then apply for the programme within the stipulated time frame and await an interview if shortlisted.

To practise Veterinary Medicine in Singapore, the law requires you to apply for and get a Veterinary licence from NParks/AVS.
Possible Pathway

Possible Pathway

Skills you need to pursue a Veterinarian career in Singapore

Hard Skills

Medical Knowledge of Animals

Expert in animal anatomy, diseases, and treatments.

Hygiene

Skilled in maintaining cleanliness and disease prevention.

Handling Bodily Fluids

Proficient in managing animal fluids safely.

Soft Skills

Decisiveness

Quick and confident decision-making ability.

Flexibility

Adaptable to various situations and schedules.

Working Under Pressure

Efficient in stressful and urgent scenarios.

“We .. give animals treatment as and when needed, as well as providing the rehabilitation needed to release them back to the wild, in order to contribute to a balanced eco-system. ”

Xi Yun, Veterinary Keeper

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Where do Veterinarians work?

From private Veterinary clinics to Zoological institutions such as Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), Veterinarians can work anywhere as long as there is a demand for professional animal care.
What are the working hours like for Veterinarians?

Veterinarians are doctors too but they attend to animals instead of humans. Regular working hours are 5 days a week, and are then rostered for the evenings and weekends on a rotational basis unless there is an emergency. In such cases, they might be called in after work hours.
How do Veterinarians cope with the concept of death?

It depends, as everybody's coping mechanism is different. However, some coping suggestions given by other Veterinarians are talking to the clients and/or colleagues and sharing feelings over the loss, and spending time with another pet in the hospital.
Is it safe to work with animals?

When equipped with proper training, protective gear, equipment, and personal hygiene practices, Veterinarians are less susceptible to contracting infectious bacteria while working with animals.
What are the requirements for Veterinarians to renew their licences in Singapore?

The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) requires Veterinary Surgeons to obtain a minimum of 50 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) points over two years before their licence renewal, where a minimum of 16 CPE Points/2 years must be gained from structured activity.