Employment Opportunities

Description

This opportunity will expose participants to the medical processes of shelter operations. Participation in this program will allow students to develop transferable, real-world skills in the areas of animal health, surgery, animal handling, animal behavior and teamwork.

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Reports To

Operations assistant
Animal Medical Director

Hours and Schedule

Each internship is an unpaid position working a minimum of 10 hours per week to be scheduled during normal business hours for three months. This exact schedule canb e determined between the intern and the department managers. Individual experiences may be custom arranged based upon program requirements.

Learning Goals and Objectives

1. Learn proper sanitation and cleaning techniques used in environments housing animals.
2. Develop interpersonal skills while working with a variety of staff and volunteers.
3. Understand surgical procedures from intake to release.
4. Learn to fulfill basic care needs for a variety of animals, such as feeding and socialization.
5. Develop the ability to identify animal health needs and provide medical support including, but not limited to, administering medication, running lab tests, and treatment of injuries.

Job Duties

Interns attend an orientation, including animal handling training and departmental safety concerns. Interns are expected to work a regularly scheduled shift that includes, but not limited to:

• Observe and assist with surgical processes.
• Prepare animals for adoption including micro-chipping, vaccinating, blood drawing, and more.
• Assisting with medical rounds and animal transport
• Assist with running various tests in a laboratory setting.
• Animal care including cage cleaning and disinfecting.
• Provide medical support for neonatal kittens including weighing, syringe feeding, and fluid administration.

Abilities and Requirements

• At least 19 years of age
• Basic animal handling skills
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, especially when being given direction.
• Ability to work effectively and independently without supervision as well as working well with others.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn and to try new things.
• Ability to be comfortable around unpleasant situations that can include dealing with blood and animal waste.
• Ability to be comfortable being exposed emotionally and physically demanding situations.

What we need from you

• A cover letter explaining credentials and career goals
• At least two references
• Your school's requirement for independent study (if applicable)
• Completed application

This opportunity will expose participants to the animal care processes of supporting orphaned kittens. Participation in this program will allow students to develop transferable, real-world skills in the areas of animal handling, animal welfare, animal behavior, animal health and teamwork.

Apply Now 

Reports To

Operations Assistant
Director of Animal Welfare

Hours and Schedule

Each internship is an unpaid position working a minimum of 3 days per week to be scheduled during normal business hours for three months. The exact schedule can be determined between the intern and the department managers. Individual experiences may be custom arranged based upon program requirements.

Learning Goals and Objectives

1. Learn proper sanitation and cleaning techniques used in environments housing animals.
2. Understand how to fulfill neonatal kitten care including feeding, socialization, and weighing.
3. Learn to provide supplemental medical care, such as syringe feeding and fluid administration.
4. Develop interpersonal skills while working with a variety of staff and volunteers.

Job Duties

Interns attend an orientation and cat handling training course. Interns are expected to work a regularly scheduled shift that includes, but not limited to:

• Daily care of kittens including kennel cleaning, feeding, watering, weighing, dishes, and laundry.
• Assist with preparing kittens for foster homes, which could include, but is not limited to, assisting with fluid administration, blood draws, and collecting fecal samples.
• Provide feline enrichment and socialization.
• Report medical and behavioral observations.
• Provide supplemental medical care including syringe feeding and fluid administration.

Abilities and Experience

• At least 15 years of age.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Basic animal handling skills
• Ability to work effectively and independently without supervision as well as working well with others.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn and to try new things.
• Ability to be comfortable being exposed emotionally and physically demanding situations.
• Ability to be comfortable around unpleasant situations that can include dealing with blood and animal waste.

What we need from you

• A cover letter explaining credentials and career goals
• At least two references
• Your school's requirement for independent study (if applicable)
• Completed application

This opportunity will expose participants to the role of animal behavior in shelter operations. Participation in this program will allow students to develop transferable, real-world skills in the areas of canine body language, canine handling, canine welfare, behavior modification, behavior observation, canine enrichment and teamwork.

Apply Now 

Reports To

Lead Behavior Modification Specialist
Animal Program Coordinator
Director of Animal Behavior

Hours and Schedule

Each internship is an unpaid position working a minimum of 10 hours per week to be scheduled during normal business hours for three months. The exact schedule can be determined between the intern and the department managers. Individual experiences may be custom arranged based upon program requirements.

Learning Goals and Objectives

1. Develop the ability to identify and report medical and behavioral concerns.
2. Understand how to read canine body language and utilize appropriate fear-free animal handling and Least Intrusive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) techniques.
3. Become well versed in learning theory concepts, such as desensitization and counterconditioning.
4. Learn to create and provide various types of enrichment opportunities to dogs.
5. Develop interpersonal skills while working with a variety of staff and volunteers.

Job Duties

Interns are expected to work a regularly scheduled shift. After attending an orientation and training course on canine body language and handling, animal behavior interns may follow one of the two following tracks:

Applied Track

• Creating, preparing, and distributing canine enrichment.
• Participating in canine intraspecies socialization programs.
• Providing socialization and adoption exposure opportunities for long-term dogs.
• Implementing behavior modification plans with fearful or unsocialized dogs.
• Communicating behavioral concerns and developing basic interventions for common behavioral concerns.

Research Track

• Developing a research question relating to shelter animal behavior and welfare, with applications to the needs of the agency.
• Alongside the Director of Animal Behavior, creating a research plan and developing data collection materials to carry out the project.
• Collecting and analyzing data, and then summarizing the findings in write-up or presentation form.
• May be completed in conjunction with thesis credits through college or university.

Abilities and Requirements

• At least 19 years of age.
• Basic animal handling skills and experience working with or training animals.
• Coursework in animal behavior and/or learning processes preferred.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to work effectively and independently without supervision.
• Team-oriented mentality and ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn and to try new things.
• Ability to handle situations that can be emotionally and physically demanding.
• Ability to be comfortable around unpleasant situations that can include dealing with blood and animal waste.
• Ability to engage in frequent walking, bending, standing, and other physical activity which may include lifting objects up to 50 lbs without assistance.

What we need from you

• A cover letter explaining credentials and career goals
• At least two references
• Your school's requirement for independent study (if applicable)
• Completed application

Participation in this program will allow students to develop transferable, real-world skills in the areas of education, curriculum development, public speaking and leadership. This internship is ideal for those pursuing more experience in standard education, humane education, zoo education, public speaking, curriculum building, and/or program development.

Apply Now 

Reports To

Humane Education Manager

Hours and Schedule

Each internship is an unpaid position working a minimum of 10 hours per week for three months. The exact schedule can be determined between the intern and the department manager. Individual experiences may be custom arranged based upon program requirements.

Learning Goals and Objectives

1. Hands-on experience reviewing and creating curriculum for humane education programs.
2. Understand the history and implementation of humane education in public schools.
3. Learn how to educate all ages on appropriate animal care, ways to show kindness and how to utilize empathy.
4. Form experience and build public speaking skills by participating in public presentations, leading behind-the-scenes tours and leading discussion at camps.

Job Duties

Interns attend an orientation and are given time to study the history of humane education. Interns are expected to work a regularly scheduled shift that includes, but not limited to:

• Assist with behind-the-scenes tours.
• Provide support for Camps, Scouts and various other Education programs.
• Review current curriculum and expand it.
• Assist with planning, organizing, and execution of education events.

Abilities and Experience

• At least 19 years of age.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Basic animal handling skills preferred but not required.
• Ability to work effectively and independently without supervision as well as working well with others.
• Understanding of basic public speaking skills.
• Basic computer skills.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn and to try new things.
• Ability to be comfortable being exposed to emotionally and physically demanding situations.

What we need from you

• A cover letter explaining credentials and career goals
• At least two references
• Your school's requirement for independent study (if applicable)
• Completed application

This opportunity will expose participants to the adoptions process of shelter operations. Participation in this program will allow students to develop transferable, real-world skills in the areas of customer service, animal health, animal care, animal handling, animal behavior, teamwork.

We are not currently offering an Adoption Department internship. Check back soon or check out our employment opportunities!

Reports To

Adoptions Supervisor
VP of Business Operations

Hours and Schedule

Each internship is an unpaid position working a minimum of 10 hours per week to be scheduled during normal business hours for three months. The exact schedule can be determined between the intern and the department managers. Individual experiences may be custom arranged based upon program requirements.

Learning Goals and Objectives

1. Experience adoptions of animals including but not limited to dogs, cats, and a variety of critters.
2. Understand the support system provided to animal owners and people wishing to rehome animals.
3. Learn how to educate animal owners on humane animal care, training, and ownership in general.
4. Understand how to utilize appropriate fear-free animal handling techniques.
5. Develop interdepartmental relationships and learn how to work in conjunction with multiple departments to create a smooth business experience.

Job Duties

Interns attend an orientation and dog and cat handling training course. Interns are expected to work a regularly scheduled shift that includes, but not limited to:

• Assist customers during the adoption process.
• Provide support to prospective and recent adopters on how to care for animals and manage various animal behaviors.
• Observe and report animal medical and behavioral concerns. Provide administrative support to the adoptions team.
• Assist with planning, organizing, and execution of adoption events.

Abilities and Experience

• At least 19 years of age.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Basic animal handling skills.
• Ability to work effectively and independently without supervision as well as working well with others.
• Understanding of basic customer service skills.
• Basic computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn and to try new things.
• Ability to be comfortable being exposed emotionally and physically demanding situations.
• Ability to be comfortable around unpleasant situations that can include dealing with blood and animal waste.

What we need from you

• A cover letter explaining credentials and career goals
• At least two references
• Your school's requirement for independent study (if applicable)
• Completed application