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Animal Intern Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Butterball

2026 Management Trainee Program

Garner, NC

Learn and apply company policies on human safety, animal welfare, product quality and environmental ... Previous intern, co-op, or work experience. * Nice to have but not required: Experience in poultry ...

All JobsAnimal Intern JobsAnimal Intern Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Animal Intern information

What is the difference between Animal Intern vs Animal Technician?

AspectAnimal InternAnimal Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some may have related courseworkAssociate's degree or certification in animal care or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, shelters, research labs, zoosVeterinary clinics, animal shelters, research facilities
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, research organizations, zoosVeterinary practices, animal care facilities, research labs
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in animal careLearning about professional animal care careers

Animal Interns typically gain hands-on experience in animal care environments as part of their educational or training programs. Animal Technicians are more experienced professionals with specialized training or certifications, performing routine animal care and assisting veterinarians. While both roles involve working with animals, Interns are usually in learning phases, whereas Technicians are more established in their careers.

What is an Animal Intern?

An Animal Intern is typically a student or recent graduate who works temporarily at an animal care facility, such as a zoo, veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or wildlife center, to gain hands-on experience with animals. Interns assist with daily animal care tasks, learn about animal behavior and health, and may help with educational programs or research. These internships provide valuable practical training for those interested in careers in animal science, veterinary medicine, or wildlife conservation.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect as an Animal Intern, and how do these contribute to my professional development?

As an Animal Intern, you'll typically participate in a variety of hands-on experiences such as assisting with animal care routines, preparing diets, cleaning enclosures, observing medical procedures, and sometimes aiding in enrichment activities. These tasks provide foundational knowledge in animal husbandry, welfare, and basic veterinary practices. This exposure is invaluable for building practical skills, expanding your understanding of animal behavior, and networking with professionals in the field, all of which can open doors to advanced roles in animal care, research, or veterinary medicine.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animal Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Intern, you generally need a background in animal science, biology, or a related field, along with practical experience handling and caring for animals. Familiarity with animal care tools, data entry systems, and sometimes certifications in animal handling or first aid are often required. Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for animal welfare help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure the safety, health, and proper care of animals while supporting smooth operations in veterinary or research environments.
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Animal Intern jobs near you
Fall 2026 Wildlife Intern

Fall 2026 Wildlife Intern

Piedmont Wildlife Center

Durham, NC • On-site

$2K/wk

Other

Medical

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Piedmont Wildlife Center is seeking a Wildlife Intern who is interested in live-animal care and husbandry practices, education, and environmental non-profit experience. Interns will gain experience in the following:

  • Care for and safely handle educational reptiles, mammals, birds (primarily raptors), and more. 
  • Work with our Animal Enrichment Manager to develop and implement enrichment opportunities for our animal ambassadors.
  • Assist with on-site and off-site Wildlife Education programs with live animals.
  • Assist with daily maintenance tasks that make a non-profit run, including administration, cleaning, laundry, and tool use. 
  • Develop, plan, and implement a self-led capstone project (Past Capstone Projects).

This is a paid internship with a $2,200 stipend that is part-time (20 hours/week) for a minimum of 12 weeks. Most hours occur during normal business hours, though occasional weekend and evening work is available. Exact start and end dates are flexible.

Organizational Overview: Piedmont Wildlife Center is a Durham-based non-profit environmental organization encouraging conservation and inspiring people to build lifelong connections with nature through immersive outdoor education, citizen science, and wildlife stewardship. We offer year-round outdoor education programs as well as conservation-themed outreach and citizen science programs with our resident ambassador animals.

Land Acknowledgement: Piedmont Wildlife Center operates out of Leigh Farm Park in Durham County. Leigh Farm Park is a remnant of a 19th century plantation. The Durham County Park department has preserved multiple historic structures. It is extremely important that we discuss this history with our staff and campers, honor the Indigenous and enslaved peoples who cared for the land, amplify their stories, and continue learning about and examining the parks' legacy. Please let us know if you have perspectives or resources to share - we are always interested in getting staff involved in our journey.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Carefully follow animal care guidelines to perform daily husbandry for animal ambassadors including snakes, turtles, opossums, rats, raptors, and more. 
  • Assist with medical care of all ambassador animals when necessary.
  • Assist the Animal Enrichment Manager to create and maintain enrichment for all ambassador animals.
  • Ability to assist and lead educational programs with live animals both on and off-site.
  • Develop, plan, and implement a capstone project to benefit PWC and explore new skills.
  • Willingness to learn and assist with all aspects of running an environmental non-profit.

Qualifications:

  • This internship is designed for college students or recent graduates. A degree is not a requirement.
  • Flexible schedule, but available 20 hours per week for a minimum of 12 weeks.
  • Attention to detail, especially in relation to the safety and health of animals.
  • Confident and enthusiastic about our mission and work.
  • Dependable. Must have reliable transportation to get to PWC.
  • Comfortable working independently with a proven ability to take initiative on tasks that need to be completed.
  • Comfortable handling live animals (snakes, turtles, birds, mammals).
  • Ability to dissect rats, mice, chicks, and other raptor food.

Schedule: Schedules are flexible and are designed to accommodate each intern's availability.  Some interns opt for fewer days per week with longer shifts, while others are here more days per week with shorter shifts. To fully experience everything the internship has to offer, we recommend that interns have at least 2 shifts each week that are 5 or more hours long.

Pay: $2,200 stipend. Accepted interns receive half ($1,100) at the start of the internship, and the remaining half ($1,100) at the end of the internship.

AI-generated application materials will not be considered for this position. 

The application period will be open from April 20th to June 1st, with a target start date in August.

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