Wild Animal Care Internship

Intern feeding cougarAre you a student enrolled in an animal related college curriculum and would like to gain experience in wild animal care? Peace River Refuge & Ranch is currently accepting applicants for internships at our facility. Candidates must be enrolled in a college curriculum or have completed at least 2 years of college in degree program or have graduated with a degree in Biology, Animal Psychology, Zoology or other animal related studies.

Working with wild animals is a very gratifying an unique experience, please read the following before applying.

Important!

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

  • Our program focuses on the importance of proper management of captive wild animals and does not promote private ownership of wild animals.
  • We teach management in a professional manner and our program stresses the importance of proper management of wild animals in captivity for both the health and well-being of the animals as well as the safety of our staff and volunteers.
  • This program does not include direct contact with potentially dangerous animals residing at our facility
  • Direct contact is defined as any physical contact with any animal, including contact through cage wire (reaching of limbs through fences or cages), etc.
  • These animals are not pets. If you are looking for an internship that offers direct contact with animals you should consider an internship working with domestic animals.
  • Any and all violations involving direct physical contact with the wild animals will cause an intern to be the subject of immediate dismissal from the property under escort by security, and/or management or staff, there are no exceptions to this policy.
  • Safety of the animals, management, staff, interns and volunteers always comes first at our facility.
  • If an wild animal bites or scratches you, it immediately places the welfare of the animal and our entire facility at risk, so the above rules are taken very seriously.

Internship Objectives:

  • Gain professional hands-on animal care experience at an wild animal sanctuary and educational facility.
  • Provide support to full-time sanctuary staff.
  • Enhance productivity and efficiency in animal husbandry at the sanctuary.

Internship Guidelines:

  • Minimum age is 18.
  • Internships are available year-round, with flexible dates.
  • The positions are non-stipend during the summer months but can include a stipend of $300-$500 after the first 4 weeks (non-stipend for the first 4 weeks.) This is to be negotiated during your interview process. All interns receive lodging and meals.
  • Positions last for a period 4 weeks up to six months, and require a minimum of 40 hours per week. Students should be able to work a flexible schedule.
  • Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or otherwise legally allowed to work in the United States, as we do not have the ability to participate in any application visa process.
  • Candidates must be enrolled in a college curriculum or have completed at least two years of college (currently enrolled) in a degree program or have graduated with a degree in Biology, Animal Psychology, Zoology, or related field.
  • One school reference (school contacts/phone numbers, NOT letters) must be submitted with the application.
  • Two letters of reference including addresses and contact numbers from two individuals not related to you who have known you for over a year submitted at time of application, preferably from volunteer work or other employment.
  • Must be able to provide proof of a current negative TB test.
  • Hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccinations are recommended.
  • Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds on a routine basis.

Although not required, the following items will increase your odds of selection:

  • Proof of a current pre-exposure rabies vaccination
  • Your own car to drive while you are here so that you are not dependent upon us for transportation

Application process

 

Permanent link to this article: http://peaceriverrefuge.org/internships/animal-care/