Wildlife Rehabilitation and Animal Care Spring/Summer Internship

Love animals? Carolina Waterfowl Rescue is a non-profit organization that takes in, rehabilitates, and releases 8000 orphaned or sick animals annually. We are accepting applications for spring and summer interns.

Note this is an internship with a stipend paid at the satisfactory completion of the Internship. $250/for part time position and $500/for full time position.

This is a hands-on working internship that provides our interns the ability to observe and work with a variety of different wildlife, domestic and exotic animal species, however the primary focus is songbirds, and wild and domestic fowl. Interns work with a staff veterinarian, licensed staff, and seasoned volunteers as they gain on the job training in basic rehabilitation skills such as handling techniques, cleaning and sterilization procedures, habitat enrichment, diets, food preparation, and feeding methods. Training will be provided on administering medication, calculating medication dosages, administration of fluids, giving injections, bandaging techniques, etc. Our interns assist our rehabilitation staff with treatment procedures such as health checks, medicating and triaging. Interns are also expected to assist with day-to-day sanctuary animal feeding and watering as well as some housekeeping such as laundry, dishes, mopping floors etc.

This is an incredibly fast paced and busy rescue where good organization skills and attention to detail are a must.

College credits may be considered with approval prior to hiring.

The most important qualification is to have a strong interest in animal care as all training will be provided. This internship will require a minimum of 12 hours per week with flexible scheduling and does not provide housing or transportation. Interns are expected to complete a 90-day internship.

There are various shifts between 8 AM to 9 PM. This includes nights and weekends as well as holidays. We are open 365 days per year. Start and end dates can vary based upon school schedule and individual availability.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Set up and maintain animal enclosures
• Clean: Cages, dishes, floors, laundry
• Diet preparation
• Baby Care: songbirds, waterfowl (geese and ducks), fowl (pigeons, doves, chickens), small mammals for stabilization until transferred to a partner rehab center (Much more limited in the fall than spring/summer)
• Hand-feed young patients
• Assist with intake, physical exams, fecal parasite testing and medication administration
• Data entry and maintenance of wildlife and domestic data base
• Assist with volunteer shifts
• Answer hotline calls

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have initiative, good skills, be a team player as well as be able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be adept at handling fluctuating priorities.
• Must work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Must be able to work in various weather conditions including the heat and humidity of summer, rain etc.
• Must be up to date on Tetanus shot.

Preference will be given to those currently in college for a related field or those who have completed a bachelor’s degree. We will also consider mature high school students 16 years of age and older with a strong interest in animal care.