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Wildlife Rehabilitation Internships

Location: Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary is located 7 mi East of McCall, Idaho, on 35 isolated acres of pristine spruce forest. The facility is “off-the-grid”, so electricity is limited to generators that are used as needed for animal care and solar-powered lithium-ion batteries in the intern and manager cabin. 

Amenities: Fully furnished two-story cabin with propane heat and running water located on the property. On-the-job veterinary, education, and maintenance training. There is no conventional electricity; a generator is on site for limited use for the clinic and animal care. Limited wireless internet and cell phone coverage (AT&T most reliable) is available. Unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities out of the back door. 

Qualifications: Must be at least 18 yrs old. A background in pre-veterinary studies, biology, or interpretation preferred but not required. Successful applicants are self-motivated with good communication skills, flexibility, and a willingness to respond to unanticipated challenges. Winter interns should have a willingness to be outdoors in adverse weather conditions and able to lift at least 50 lbs.

Description: Primary duties include food preparation and feeding, cleaning enclosures, maintaining a sanitary and organized clinic, assisting with veterinary care, grounds maintenance, and responding to work phone calls. Once trained and oriented to the facility, interns are expected to provide basic rehabilitation and maintenance duties without direct supervision. Veterinary training will be provided during all seasons and will cover how to take and read x-rays, give subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, tube-feed birds and mammals, calculate proper drug dosages using a formulary, bandage open wounds, and stabilize soft tissue injuries. Other duties include, but are not limited to, assisting with ambassador raptor training, educational programs, media management, and fundraising events.

Summer Internship

Duration: 3 months (June – end of August) *dates flexible*

Positions Available: 2

Summer interns are expected to commit to 5 days of work per week; hours are irregular and are planned around feeding schedules. $500/month stipend is provided.

Seasonal focus: The primary focus during the summer is raising orphaned songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, skunks, raccoons, bears, fawns, and foxes. The limited time between feedings is spent working on small projects and prepping for educational programs. Our schedule over the summer is often filled with fundraisers, outreach events, and presentations. 

Fall Internship

Duration: 3-4 months (September – end of November) *dates flexible*

Positions Available: 1

Fall interns are expected to commit to 5 days of work per week (~40 hours). $400/month stipend is provided. 

Seasonal focus: Primary animal care duties will be providing enrichment for the animals that were raised over the summer until they are ready to be released and caring for injured animals as they come in. There are fewer animals to care for during this season, so most of the day is spent finishing maintenance projects before snow accumulates and assisting with weekly educational programs.

Winter Internship

Duration: 3 months (December –end of February) *dates flexible*

Positions Available: 1

Winter interns are expected to commit to 4 days of part-time work per week (~20 hours) $300/month stipend is provided.

Seasonal focus: Winter animals include resident ambassador raptors, rehab bear cubs, and occasional rescue animals. Your primary duties will be snow removal, media management, ambassador raptor training, assisting with education/outreach events, and responding to work calls.

Spring Internship

Duration: 3 months (March – June) *dates flexible*

Positions Available: 1

Spring interns are expected to commit to 5 days of work per week; hours are irregular and are planned around feeding schedules. $500/month stipend is provided.

Seasonal focus: The primary focus during the spring is working with our educational ambassadors, providing our over-wintering patients with enrichment, some snow removal, and preparation for baby season. Depending on how early baby season arrives, the primary focus then will be to feed and raise orphaned songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, skinks, raccoons, bears, fawns and foxes. There may be some educational presentations as well.