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Animal Care Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Dancing Horses Theatre

Exotic Animal Intern

Delavan, WI · On-site

$13.50 - $18/hr

Exotic Animal Intern - PAID Animal Gardens Petting Zoo is seeking animal (PAID) internships ... Some knowledge of all phases of exotic animal care. * 4-6 months commitment is preferred. Benefits:

Dundee Township Park District

Zoo Intern

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Intern Zoo Intern Do you love animals, enjoy being outdoors, and want hands-on experience in a zoo ... What Youll Do: * Assist keepers with daily animal care, including feeding and cleaning * Help ...

CareVet

Veterinary Intern

Owensboro, KY

Provide basic animal care, including feeding, bathing, and exercising * Clean and maintain animal ... Intern position. We look forward to hearing from you!

Dundee Township Park District

Zoo Intern

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Zoo Intern Do you love animals, enjoy being outdoors, and want hands-on experience in a zoo setting ... What You'll Do: * Assist keepers with daily animal care, including feeding and cleaning * Help ...

Dundee Township Park District

Zoo Intern

Carpentersville, IL · On-site

$14.75 - $19.75/hr

Zoo Intern Do you love animals, enjoy being outdoors, and want hands-on experience in a zoo setting ... What You'll Do: * Assist keepers with daily animal care, including feeding and cleaning * Help ...

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Animal Care Intern information

What is an animal care intern?

Animal Care Interns are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who work under supervision to assist with the daily care and welfare of animals in facilities such as zoos, shelters, veterinary clinics, or wildlife centers. Their responsibilities may include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, monitoring animal health, assisting with enrichment activities, and sometimes helping with medical treatments or educational programs. Internships in animal care provide valuable hands-on experience for those interested in animal science, veterinary medicine, or related fields. These positions are usually temporary and are designed to give interns practical skills and exposure to careers involving animal care.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal care intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Care Intern, you need a basic understanding of animal behavior, husbandry, and welfare, often supported by coursework or experience in animal science or biology. Familiarity with animal handling tools, cleaning equipment, and record-keeping systems is typically required. Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for animal welfare help you stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining animal health, ensuring safety, and supporting the overall operation of animal care facilities.

What types of hands-on experience can I expect as an animal care intern?

As an Animal Care Intern, you can expect to be actively involved in daily care routines such as feeding, cleaning enclosures, monitoring animal health, and assisting with enrichment activities. You may also have opportunities to shadow veterinary staff during health checks or treatments and participate in record-keeping. Collaborating closely with animal care teams, you'll gain valuable insight into animal behavior, welfare standards, and facility operations, which can provide a strong foundation for future careers in animal science or veterinary medicine.

What is the difference between Animal Care Intern vs Animal Shelter Volunteer?

AspectAnimal Care InternAnimal Shelter Volunteer
Required CredentialsMay require basic animal handling knowledge; some programs prefer related courseworkNo formal credentials needed
Work EnvironmentStructured internship setting, often with supervision and trainingInformal, volunteer-based environment, often flexible
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by veterinary clinics, zoos, or animal rescue organizations for trainingCommonly used by shelters and rescue groups for community support
Search & Comparison IntentPeople seeking hands-on experience or internships in animal careIndividuals looking to volunteer and support shelters

Animal Care Interns typically participate in structured programs with some credentials or coursework, gaining practical experience under supervision. In contrast, Animal Shelter Volunteers usually offer support without formal credentials, working flexibly to assist shelters. Both roles contribute to animal welfare but differ in training, environment, and purpose.

More about Animal Care Intern jobs
What cities are hiring for Animal Care Intern jobs? Cities with the most Animal Care Intern job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Care jobs? The most popular types of Animal Care jobs are:
What states have the most Animal Care Intern jobs? States with the most job openings for Animal Care Intern jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Animal Care Intern jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Care Intern jobs are:
Animal Care Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Care Intern job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

2026 Fall Ambassador Animal Intern - OKC Zoo

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK • On-site

Part-time

Posted 13 days ago

Oklahoma City Zoo rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 37 rated wildlife parks and zoos

Job description

This internship is designed to be an entry point for someone who is seeking a career working in the field of Ambassador Animal programs. Interns will receive training and experience in the day-to-day management of ambassador animal programs by working alongside staff to assist with animal care, animal training, enrichment and welfare data collection. Interns will also gain training on guest education and public interaction to enhance visitor experience.

Employment Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Duration: 12 weeks - Starting on September 5th 2026

Schedule: Fall 2026 - 20hrs a week

Compensation: 14.00 per hour

Department: Conservation, Education and Science

Direct Supervisor: Rachel Sides - Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator

Primary Work Location: Zoo setting both indoors and outdoors

Certification: Completion of assigned OKC Zoo HSI training in the first 2 weeks of employment.

Other: This position is safety sensitive. It is subject to pre-employment and/or periodic background checks and drug testing.  This position works around animals susceptible to specific respiratory diseases, thus is subject to annual tuberculosis testing.

Internship Summary: This internship is designed to be an entry point for someone who is seeking a career working in the field of Ambassador Animal programs. Interns will receive training and experience in the day-to-day management of ambassador animal programs by working alongside staff to assist with animal care, animal training, enrichment and welfare data collection. Interns will also gain training on guest education and public interaction to enhance visitor experience.

Development Outcomes 

An intern in this position will complete assigned tasks resulting in the following learning outcomes

  • Intern will develop an understanding of the essential role that zoos and aquariums play in conservation 
  • Interns will develop a thorough understanding of safety procedures necessary for working with animal collections in a Zoo
  • Intern will learn the basics of guest interaction in a zoo or aquarium setting including how to convey educational information and effectively communicate conservation efforts 
  • Intern will learn how to prepare and maintain animal records and reports 
  • Intern will learn basic animal care and husbandry techniques
  • Intern will assist in the use of technology to conduct animal observations and collect data 
  • Intern will assist with enrichment initiatives as assigned 
  • Intern will understand basic operant conditioning principles related to behavioral training of Ambassador Animals 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Commitment of schedule
  • Current college or graduate student pursuing an applicable degree, recent graduate of an applicable degree, or relevant education with interest in transitioning into an applicable career 
  • Interest in pursuing career in animal care
  • Have the ability to work well in a busy and fast paced environment
  • Provide own housing and transportation
  • Basic understanding of computer operation and camera usage.

What Oklahoma City Zoo employees say

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