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Barn Sanctuary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Barn Sanctuary

Animal Care Intern

Chelsea, MI · On-site

$13.73/hr

About Barn Sanctuary Barn Sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing lifelong care to abused and neglected farmed animals, while inspiring people to embrace a more ...

Farm Sanctuary

Intern, Animal Care

Watkins Glen, NY

$16/hr

... assisting with barn cleaning and grounds maintenance. They also receive opportunities to learn about veterinary-based care practices and ethical sanctuary-based research. All of these ...

Farm Sanctuary

Intern, Animal Care

Watkins Glen, NY · On-site

$16/hr

... assisting with barn cleaning and grounds maintenance. They also receive opportunities to learn about veterinary-based care practices and ethical sanctuary-based research. All of these ...

.org/advisors

Work-Trade Animal Care Intern

Laupahoehoe, HI

$14.25 - $19.50/hr

... sanctuary tours, manage our social media presence, and help on construction projects like building tiny homes for our animals, a special needs animal barn, fence maintenance, etc. We have special ...

.org/advisors

Work-Trade Animal Care Intern

Laupahoehoe, HI · On-site

$14.25 - $19.50/hr

... sanctuary tours, manage our social media presence, and help on construction projects like building tiny homes for our animals, a special needs animal barn, fence maintenance, etc. We have special ...

Mass Audubon

Livestock Farmhand

Lincoln, MA · On-site

$19 - $20/hr

... barn/facilities maintenance including fencing, pens, and livestock equipment * Support sanctuary ecological management goals by assisting in hay production, manure management, pasture management ...

All JobsBarn Sanctuary Jobs

Barn Sanctuary information

See salary details

$33K

$67.2K

$100K

How much do barn sanctuary jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for barn sanctuary in the United States is $67,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,000.00 and $84,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by animal caretakers at a barn sanctuary, and how can they be managed?

Animal caretakers at barn sanctuaries often encounter challenges such as managing the daily care of animals with varying medical and behavioral needs, working outdoors in different weather conditions, and handling physically demanding tasks. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as caretakers frequently collaborate with veterinarians, volunteers, and other staff to ensure the well-being of the animals. Staying organized, being adaptable, and maintaining a strong commitment to animal welfare help caretakers overcome these challenges and contribute to a positive work environment.

Do animal sanctuaries make money?

Barn sanctuary staff and operators typically do not make significant money from the sanctuary itself, as many are non-profit organizations relying on donations, grants, and fundraising. Revenue generated from visitor programs or merchandise may help cover operational costs, but staff salaries are often limited and depend on funding sources. Many workers in sanctuaries view their roles as volunteer or low-paid positions focused on animal care and conservation efforts.

What is the difference between Barn Sanctuary vs Barn Worker?

AspectBarn SanctuaryBarn Worker
CredentialsMay require animal care experience or certificationsTypically no formal credentials required
Work EnvironmentNon-profit, animal rescue, educational settingFarm or agricultural setting, manual labor
Employer & IndustryAnimal rescue organizations, sanctuariesFarms, agricultural businesses

While Barn Sanctuary focuses on rescuing and caring for animals in a non-profit setting, a Barn Worker generally performs manual labor on farms or agricultural sites. Both roles involve animal or farm care, but Barn Sanctuary emphasizes education and rescue efforts, whereas Barn Workers focus on farm maintenance and animal husbandry.

What is a Barn Sanctuary and what do people do there?

A Barn Sanctuary is a type of animal sanctuary dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing lifelong care for farm animals such as cows, pigs, chickens, goats, and sheep. People who work or volunteer at Barn Sanctuaries typically help with daily animal care, cleaning, feeding, medical treatments, and educational outreach. The main goal is to create a safe and compassionate environment for animals who have been neglected, abused, or abandoned, while also raising public awareness about animal welfare and ethical farming practices.

Who runs Barn Sanctuary?

Barn Sanctuary is operated by a team of staff and volunteers dedicated to rescuing and caring for farm animals. The organization is led by its founders and management team who oversee daily operations, animal care, and outreach efforts.

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

To thrive as an Animal Sanctuary Caregiver, you typically need experience in animal care, knowledge of animal behavior, and often a background in animal science or a related field. Familiarity with animal health monitoring systems, feeding protocols, and sometimes certifications in animal first aid are commonly required. Compassion, patience, attention to detail, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for ensuring animal well-being and collaborating with staff and volunteers. These skills and qualities are vital to provide high-quality care for rescued animals and maintain a safe, nurturing sanctuary environment.

What is the highest paying job in animal welfare?

In animal welfare, senior roles such as Animal Welfare Director or Chief Veterinarian tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures annually. These positions require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills, and may involve overseeing large organizations or specialized medical care for animals.

How much do people make working at farm sanctuaries?

Workers at farm sanctuaries, including roles like animal care staff and volunteers, typically earn between $10 and $15 per hour, with full-time employees earning around $20,000 to $30,000 annually. Compensation varies based on experience, location, and job responsibilities, and many roles may be volunteer-based or offer part-time hours.
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What job categories do people searching Barn Sanctuary jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Barn Sanctuary jobs are:
Barn Sanctuary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Barn Sanctuary job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Full Time, and 86% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $67,203 per year, or $32.3 per hour.

Animal Care Intern

Barn Sanctuary

Chelsea, MI • On-site

$13.73/hr

Temporary

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

About Barn Sanctuary

Barn Sanctuary is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing lifelong care to abused and neglected farmed animals, while inspiring people to embrace a more compassionate, plant-based lifestyle. Each  day, we provide safe and loving homes to our residents, including cows, pigs, goats, sheep, turkeys, ducks, chickens, donkeys and other incredible beings who deserve dignity and care. We’re seeking a compassionate, hardworking, and dedicated individual to intern with our Animal Care team to support the sanctuary’s mission and help us maintain a safe, clean, and enriching  environment for our animal residents who call Barn Sanctuary home. 

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 behavior, get the chance to work with many special needs animals as well as perform other day-to-day duties.

Interns will report to the Senior Animal Caregiver while working closely with the Animal Care and Facilities teams and may also occasionally coordinate with other departmental staff and volunteers.

Your time interning with the Animal Care Team is valued very much. We could not maintain our high standards of care without the help of interns and volunteers.



Specifications

  • We are currently accepting applications for our Fall internship which will run from the first week of August through the last week of October. The deadline to apply is July 24th.

  • Part time internships are available, with a minimum of 24 hours per week.

  • Weekend availability required.

  • 12-week minimum commitment.

  • This is a paid internship with an hourly rate of $13.73.

  • This internship will be performed 100% on site and interns must be able to commute and provide their own reliable transportation.

  • Interns must be prepared to work in all weather conditions and plan to dress appropriately.

  • Interns must be 18 or older.

  • Interns must have the ability to lift 50 pounds and do general physical work.


Duties Responsibilities

  • Cleaning and refilling resident waters

  • Mucking barns and coops

  • Preparing and distributing food to residents

  • Applying sunscreen and fly spray to residents that require it (Summer interns only)

  • Cooking and distributing eggs to the birds

  • Chopping and distributing fresh produce

  • Assisting with resident medical treatments and health checks

  • Shadowing Animal Caregiver daily routines


General Requirements

  • Interest in animal care, veterinary science, animal behavior, nonprofit sanctuary work

  • Commitment to Barn Sanctuary’s organization goals and mission

  • Strong attention to detail

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

  • Strong communication skills

  • Flexibility and openness to a multitude of tasks

  • Willingness to learn new things

  • Extreme reliability and dedication

  • Patience and the ability to act calmly in stressful situations


Creating a culture of Equality isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s also the smart thing. Diverse organizations are more innovative and better positioned to succeed in changing the world for the better. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Barn Sanctuary is an equal opportunity employer that strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee, independent contractor, volunteer, or applicant for any position because of an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, or any other characteristic protected by law.