The festive season is ramping up and the animal-health industry is experiencing a familiar and often under-appreciated shift: increased demand for veterinary and support staff. For many clinics, December and early January bring heightened pressure and demands. With pet owners rushing to book vaccinations, boarding, travel-related care, or last-minute wellness appointments before their holiday trips, many practices find themselves short-staffed just when caseloads surge.
On top of this, veterinary staff are seeking to take holiday time off, coincidentally creating staffing gaps at the exact moment demand peaks. As a result, clinics often turn to relief veterinarians, temporary hires, or flexible/part-time staff to cover holiday shifts.
For job-seekers in the animal-health sector, whether veterinarians, vet techs, or other support staff, this seasonal shift can represent real opportunity. Relief or holiday-shift roles tend to pop up more often, and clinics are actively sourcing staff to maintain care standards during the busiest time of year. For those willing to work weekends, evening shifts, or be available on short notice, this can be a lucrative and strategic way to secure work in the short term while building relationships that might lead to longer-term positions.
That said, it’s not only about filling in gaps. Holiday shifts, with higher stress, emergency visits, boarding-related cases, and often unpredictable hours, demand adaptability, strong communication, and a capacity for handling emergencies. Clinics favor candidates who are comfortable with flexible scheduling, unpredictable caseloads, and potentially rapid changes. The ability to demonstrate these traits can significantly increase a candidate’s attractiveness, especially when compared to those seeking standard 9-to-5 roles.
So, if you’re considering a holiday-season job hunt in animal health, now is an opportune time. Update your resume to highlight availability, past relief or temp work, and willingness to work non-standard hours. Reach out early; many clinics plan coverage well in advance, especially in December. And if you’re open to short-term or part-time commitments, holiday staffing often serves as an informal “trial period,” giving both you and the clinic a chance to evaluate fit under real-world pressure.
The holiday season isn’t just a rush for pet owners; it’s a hot hiring window for clinics, and a strategic entry point for candidates. If you’re flexible, prepared, and responsive, the end-of-year staffing scramble may just land you your next great opportunity.
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