Title: Wildlife Rehabilitation and Animal Care Intern

Summary:

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing over 8,000 orphaned or sick animals each year, is offering a hands-on spring/summer internship in wildlife rehabilitation and animal care. This internship provides practical experience working with songbirds, wild and domestic fowl, and other small animals under the guidance of staff veterinarians and experienced volunteers.

Reports To: Laurel Millaci

What you will do:

Interns assist with a wide variety of tasks including:

• Setting up and maintaining animal enclosures
• Cleaning cages, dishes, floors, and laundry
• Preparing diets and hand-feeding young animals
• Baby care for songbirds, waterfowl (geese and ducks), fowl (pigeons, doves, chickens), and small mammals for stabilization until transfer to partner rehab centers
• Assisting with intake procedures, physical exams, lab work, and fecal parasite testing
• Administering medications, calculating dosages, giving injections, and providing fluids under supervision
• Helping with bandaging techniques and other treatment procedures
• Supporting X-rays and other veterinary procedures
• Data entry and maintenance of wildlife and domestic animal databases
• Assisting with volunteer shifts and answering hotline calls
• Day-to-day sanctuary operations including feeding, watering, and habitat enrichment
• General housekeeping including sanitizing, mopping floors, dishes, and laundry

Interns will gain hands-on experience in basic rehabilitation skills, including animal handling techniques, cleaning and sterilization procedures, habitat enrichment, diet preparation, and feeding methods.

Who we are looking for:

• Individuals with a strong interest in animal care (all training provided)
• Team players who can also work independently in a fast-paced environment
• Candidates with initiative, good organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to handle fluctuating priorities
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and flexible shifts (7AM–9PM)
• Ability to work in various weather conditions including heat, humidity, and rain

Preferred:

• College students in a related field or graduates
• Mature high school students 16+ with a strong interest in animal care

Internship Details:

• Duration: Minimum 90 days
• Hours: 20 hours (part-time) 40 hours (full-time) per week, flexible scheduling
• Stipend: $250 for part-time, $500 for full-time (paid upon satisfactory completion of the Internship)
• Hands-on experience with wildlife, domestic, and exotic animals
• College credit may be available with prior approval
• No housing or transportation provided

Eligibility:

• Must be 16 years of age or older
• Up-to-date tetanus shot required
• Strong interest in animal care
• Ability to commit to the full duration of the internship and flexible shifts