Animal Caretaker Intern

About the Internship:

This internship provides high school students with hands-on experience caring for animals in a professional setting. Interns will learn about animal husbandry, health monitoring, and safe handling practices while supporting staff in daily animal care routines.

Key Responsibilities:

Feed, water, and monitor animals according to care guidelines.
Assist with cleaning and maintaining enclosures, stalls, or habitats.
Observe animal behavior and report any signs of illness or distress to staff.
Support routine health checks and grooming activities.
Help maintain accurate records of animal care and activities.
Participate in educational programs or enrichment activities as directed.
Complete assignments, reflection journals, or internship workbook entries as required by the program

Learning Outcomes:

Understanding of basic animal care, behavior, and welfare practices.
Experience with safe handling, feeding, and monitoring of animals.
Exposure to professional practices in veterinary, zoological, or agricultural settings.
Development of responsibility, attention to detail, and teamwork skills.

Qualifications:

Currently enrolled in high school (11th - 12th grade).
Interest in animals, veterinary science, or agriculture.
Responsible, compassionate, and attentive to detail.
Able to work in indoor and outdoor environments, sometimes in varying weather conditions.
Comfortable following instructions and handling animals safely.

Notice on Internship Opportunities

Please note that internship opportunities will vary by host site and county.

Not all career areas or placements will be available in every location.
Host sites may have different requirements, schedules, and responsibilities.
Opportunities depend on local partnerships, availability, and community resources.

Students are encouraged to remain flexible and open to a variety of learning experiences. Each internship is designed to provide valuable workplace skills, career exploration, and professional growth—regardless of the specific placement.

THIS DESCRIPTION DOES NOT LIST ALL DUTIES. INTERN MAY BE ASKED TO PERFORM OTHER DUTIES BY THE STAFF OR SUPERVISOR. INTERN WILL BE EVALUATED ON PERFORMANCE OF THE PROJECTS LISTED AS WELL AS INTERACTION WITH EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS. ON-SITE HOURS WILL BE NEGOTIATED WITH EACH CANDIDATE.

SAFETY EXPECTATIONS, INCLUDING HARASSMENT, SHOULD BE REVIEWED WITH THE HOST.

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