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Animal Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Tuskegee University

Support veterinary students and small animal interns by teaching and demonstrating technical skills (medication administration, IV catheter placement, fluid therapy, bandaging, patient monitoring ...

The Pixel Fund

Non-Profit Animal Rescue Internship

Oviedo, FL · On-site

$12.75 - $15.25/hr

This internship will teach direct responsibilities in working with a non-profit. Ideal candidates would be interested in running a business or non-profit, human services, volunteering, animal rescue ...

Santa Barbara Zoo

Animal Keeper

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$23.90 - $26.30/hr

P. of Animal Care & Health, the Keeper is responsible for the application of daily animal care ... Supervises volunteers and interns * Shares critical information, best practices, and procedures on ...

Chimp Haven

Animal Caregiver

LA · On-site

... and interns. • Perform related duties as required. Supervision and Responsibility • Works under general supervision of Colony Director, Supervisor, or senior animal care staff. • Does not ...

Chimp Haven

Animal Caregiver

Keithville, LA · On-site

... interns. · Perform related duties as required. Supervision and Responsibility · Works under general supervision of Colony Director, Supervisor, or senior animal care staff. · Does not normally ...

Barn Sanctuary

Animal Care Intern

Chelsea, MI

$13.73/hr

Job Overview Animal Care Interns gain experience working at a nonprofit sanctuary with over 140 animal residents covering nine different species, learn valuable skills related to animal health and ...

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Animal Internship information

Do veterinary internships pay?

Veterinary internships, including those related to animal internships, are often unpaid or offer a stipend to cover expenses. Some programs may provide a small salary, but many are volunteer-based to give students and early-career professionals hands-on experience in clinical or research settings.

What is an animal internship?

An animal internship is a temporary, supervised work experience that allows students or aspiring professionals to gain hands-on experience working with animals. These internships can take place at zoos, veterinary clinics, animal shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, or research institutions. Interns typically assist with animal care, feeding, enrichment, cleaning, and sometimes research or educational programs. The goal is to provide practical skills, industry knowledge, and networking opportunities in the animal care or animal science fields.

What is the difference between Animal Internship vs Animal Technician?

AspectAnimal InternshipAnimal Technician
Required CredentialsOften no formal certification; some may require relevant coursework or volunteeringTypically requires a high school diploma or equivalent; some positions prefer or require certification
Work EnvironmentAnimal shelters, research labs, veterinary clinics, zoosVeterinary clinics, animal shelters, research facilities
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs offered by organizations to gain experienceFull-time or part-time roles in animal care facilities
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Animal internships are typically entry-level opportunities designed for individuals seeking hands-on experience in animal care without requiring formal certification. Animal technicians are trained professionals responsible for daily animal care, often requiring specific certifications or education. While internships focus on learning and observation, animal technicians perform routine tasks and support animal health and well-being in various settings.

Is 22 too old for an internship?

Animal internships are generally open to individuals of various ages, including those in their early twenties. Age is rarely a barrier, and many programs value maturity, relevant skills, and a strong interest in animal care. Applicants should review specific internship requirements for eligibility criteria.

What jobs can I do if I love animals?

Animal internships can lead to various careers such as zookeeper, veterinary technician, animal trainer, wildlife rehabilitator, or pet groomer. These roles often require specific skills, certifications, or training, and involve working in environments like shelters, zoos, clinics, or research facilities.

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 need a basic understanding of animal care, biology, and safety protocols, often supported by coursework in animal science or related fields. Familiarity with animal handling tools, record-keeping systems, and sometimes first aid certification is typically beneficial. Strong observational skills, reliability, and effective communication help you stand out when working with both animals and staff. These skills are crucial for ensuring the well-being of animals, supporting team operations, and gaining valuable experience in animal-related fields.

Does Disney do animal internships?

Disney offers animal-related internships through its conservation and animal care programs, primarily at locations like Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney Conservation Fund. These internships often focus on wildlife conservation, animal husbandry, and environmental education, and may require relevant experience or coursework. Applicants should review specific program requirements and application deadlines on Disney's official careers website.

What types of hands-on experiences can I expect during an animal internship, and how do they contribute to my professional development?

During an animal internship, you can expect to gain direct experience in animal care, such as feeding, cleaning enclosures, assisting with medical treatments, and observing animal behaviors. These tasks are typically supervised by experienced staff and may also involve record-keeping and participating in educational programs. This exposure not only builds practical skills but also helps you understand best practices in animal welfare and facility operations. Collaborating with veterinarians, animal trainers, and other interns can further enhance your communication and teamwork abilities—key assets for a future career in animal science or care.
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Animal Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Internship job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.
Unpaid Animal Care Internship - Primate Canyon

Unpaid Animal Care Internship - Primate Canyon

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN • On-site

$12.50 - $16.75/hr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Animal Care Internship - Primate Canyon
Species: Gorilla, orangutan, bonobo, siamang, white-cheeked gibbons, colobus monkeys, spot-nosed guenons, red- and black-and-white-ruffed lemurs, mandrills, Sulawesi crested macaques, and Asian small-clawed otters.
Interns work directly with animal care staff to gain firsthand experience of all aspects of animal husbandry including diet prep, enclosure maintenance, training, enrichment, guest interactions and more. The goal of the program is to provide college students (or recent graduates) with pre-professional career experience through hands-on experiential learning opportunities.
This internship is unpaid but housing may be available seasonally. The program spans 10-12 weeks and participants will be scheduled up to 40hrs per week. Spring internships begin in January and end in May (deadline for application is due Nov 15th). Summer internships will begin in May and end in August (deadline for application March 1st). Fall internships begin in August and end in December (deadline for application due July 1st). Selected participants must successfully complete a background check and TB test.
Intern duties will vary upon season and departmental needs, but could include:
Assisting staff in all aspects of animal care including, but not limited to, diet preparation, exhibit cleaning/disinfection, maintenance, training and enrichment, record keeping, and guest interactions. Contact with class one animals is minimal and directly supervised.
  • Actively observing animal's behavior
  • Facilitates formal and informal public presentations to engage guests and provide a positive guest experience.
  • Assisting with the production of special events, animal celebrations, and awareness days
  • Maintaining animal areas, work areas, and all resources in a clean, organized manner
  • Completes a special project covering observations, research, enrichment, or another area of interest.

Qualifications:
  • Must be a dependable, hard-working college student or recent graduate with an interest in the fields of education, interpretation, environmental science, biology, zoology, or zoo management, or might be considering a change of career.
  • Must be able to work between 24-40 hours per week for 10-12 weeks.
  • Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
  • Must demonstrate enthusiasm and good judgement while working with zoo guests of all ages.
  • Must demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to follow directions.
  • Must be 18 years or older.

Beneficial Skills:
  • Proficiency in Office 365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Behaviors:
  • Team Player: Works well as a member of a group.
  • Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well.
  • Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity.

Motivations:
  • Goal Completion: Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks.
  • Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization.

Required Education or Experience:
  • Completion of college coursework in biology, zoology, animal behavior, or related fields.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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