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Animal Program Internship Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Animal Care Intern

Palm Desert, CA · On-site

$16.90/hr

Schedule to be determined upon acceptance into the internship program. The successful candidate will rotate through all four areas of animal care over the course of 10 weeks; African Safari & Rhino ...

Resume noting any experience in large animal work or advanced reproduction. * Cover letter ... Individuals must be enrolled in an AVMA accredited program and have completed 2nd year of ...

Rotating Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K/yr

The Internship is designed to provide an intensive one-year experience in management of small animal clinical cases under Staff DVM supervision. The training program will utilize Staff doctors of VCA ...

Rotating Intern

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K/yr

The Internship is designed to provide an intensive one-year experience in management of small animal clinical cases under Staff DVM supervision. The training program will utilize Staff doctors of ...

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Animal Program Internship information

What is an animal program internship?

An Animal Program Internship is a supervised work experience where interns assist with the care, observation, and enrichment of animals in facilities such as zoos, aquariums, or wildlife centers. Interns typically help with daily husbandry tasks, educational programs, and sometimes participate in research or conservation projects. This internship is designed to give students or recent graduates hands-on experience in animal care and to provide insight into careers in animal management, conservation, or education. It often serves as a stepping stone for future employment or advanced studies in animal-related fields.

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

As an Animal Program Intern, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on activities such as animal husbandry, routine feeding, habitat cleaning, and assisting with basic health checks under supervision. These tasks not only build your practical animal care skills but also expose you to daily operations in a professional animal care setting. Many internships also involve supporting educational programs or guest interactions, which can enhance your communication and teamwork abilities. This well-rounded experience is highly valued by employers in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife rehabilitation centers, and can be a strong stepping stone for future roles in animal care or conservation.

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

To excel as an Animal Program Intern, you generally need a background in animal science, biology, or a related field, often supported by coursework or experience working with animals. Familiarity with animal care protocols, basic husbandry tools, and data recording systems is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and a proactive attitude are essential soft skills for collaborating with staff and ensuring animal welfare. These competencies are critical for maintaining safe, effective animal care and supporting the overall goals of the animal program.

What job categories do people searching Animal Program Internship jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Program Internship jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Animal Program Internship job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 15% Internship, 50% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 15% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

OC Animal Care Foster Program Management Intern (Unpaid Intern)

County of Orange

Santa Ana, CA

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

Internship

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

CAREER DESCRIPTION Position OC Animal Care Foster Program Management Intern (Unpaid Internship) OC Community Resources/OC Animal Care This internship recruitment will remain posted on a continuous basis until the needs of the Agency are met. Students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply immediately. OC COMMUNITY RESOURCES (OCCR) The County of Orange, OC Community Resources is a multi-faceted department comprised of OC Animal Care, OC Community Services, OC Housing & Homeless Services, OC Parks, and OC Public Libraries.

OC ANIMAL CARE OC Animal Care promotes responsible pet ownership, health and safety of people and animals, and spay/neuter programs. OC Animal Care provides temporary shelter and medical care for "lost" owned or stray animals and opportunities for adoption of these animals. THE OPPORTUNITY OC Animal Care is seeking outgoing, dependable individuals with positive attitudes who can work independently in a fast-paced environment.

The work experience that this internship will provide will lend itself to those interested in the medical, animal care, program management and/or county government fields. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to make a direct and profound impact on the lives of companion animals in our local community. Duties may include assisting staff with one or more of the following assignments or projects: Provide guidance and direction to foster caretakers regarding the care of animals Coordinate with shelter clinic staff regarding observations of ill or injured animals Provide foster caretakers with basic animal health instructions as issued by shelter clinic staff/veterinarian Assist with OC Animal Care special events Provide administrative support by preparing files and spreadsheets for reports, coordinating foster related appointments, returning phone calls/emails and managing program audits Participate in day-to-day operations of Department's busy foster program, which involves handling of companion animals Please note this is an in-person internship.

Interns will not be able to perform the above duties remotely/virtually. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Applicants must be current college students enrolled in an accredited college/university or be a recent graduate (6 months) with an interest in pursuing a career in the public sector and/or in gaining experience within an office/administrative environment. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS OC Animal Care is seeking applicants with the following qualifications: Highly organized and dependable Eager to gain professional experience Able to complete assignments in a timely manner Reliable, outgoing and able to work independently Experienced with Word, Excel, Outlook and basic internet use Effectively follows written and oral instructions Ability to interpret and apply oral/written instructions Comfortable communicating with members of the public in a variety of situations displaying social skill, awareness, and tact Animal handling and/or medical skills a plus, but not required TIME COMMITMENT The internship is in-person only.

Immediate placement is available. Minimum 10 - 20 hours per week for 3 or more months. Hours must be scheduled during normal business hours (Monday - Sunday between 9 a.m

and 6:30 p.m.). Applicants able to schedule the maximum hours/duration listed for the internship typically gain a more in-depth experience. BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO INTERN Although this is an unpaid internship that does not lead to paid employment or include employee benefits, students and recent graduates are offered an excellent opportunity to: Build resumes/work history and explore career options Apply skills and knowledge acquired in an academic setting to the workplace Fulfill college/university internship requirements Network with professionals in their fields of interest APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applicants must attach a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts to their application

The cover letter is an opportunity for students to describe career and academic goals, to elaborate upon personal and academic accomplishments, and to identify what type of internship experience they are seeking. Learn more about what to include in a cover letter HERE. Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts will not be considered.

REQUIRED BACKGROUND SCREENING/REFERENCE CHECK Prior to placement, applicants may be asked to submit contact information for reference checks, and a background screening will be conducted that requires a state issued driver's license or ID card and a U.S. Social Security number. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations

Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details. Internship recruitments at the County may close at any time at the discretion of the Agency.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person.

Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS For additional internship postings, please check our Web site at the following link: https://hrs.ocgov.com/careers/volunteer-intern/internships/internship-opportunities Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions. For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact (714) 834-2555 or countyoforangeinterns@ceo.oc.gov EEO INFORMATION Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.