Animal Care Internship

The Wildcat Sanctuary is home to over 100 feline residents; all of which rely heavily on the daily husbandry provided by staff and interns. TWS is looking for hardworking individuals who are dedicated to providing the ultimate care for rescued felines while maintaining strict safety protocols.  Our goal is to aid interns in gaining experience in the animal industry while educating them about the sanctuary field and the captive wildlife crisis. Interns will gain valuable experience from exotic feline husbandry, assisting staff in the building of animal enclosures, observing on-site veterinary procedures, and helping with educational and fundraising programs. Please note: contact is prohibited between the wildcat residents and interns.

The internship duration is 12 weeks.  We accept up to four full-time interns for each internship period. Internship starting dates generally coincide with the seasons of the year and may vary due to an intern’s availability.

Internships are non-paid positions. Interns are required to live on-site for the entire duration of the internship period.  TWS provides free intern housing for 1-4 people.

Intern Applicant Prerequisites:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Must be fluent in the English language (verbal and written communication)
• Candidates should have at least 2 years of undergraduate program studies in zoology, animal management, biology or related field
• Must provide your own health insurance
• Must be in good physical condition
• Must be able to consistently lift 50 pounds
• Must be comfortable on ladders
• Must be able to work in all weather conditions
• Must provide their own mode of transportation to TWS
• Interns must obtain tetanus and pre-exposure rabies vaccinations prior to participating in the internship program
• Interns must send a typed resume, cover letter, transcript, copy of driver’s license, and 2 reference contacts to PO Box 314 Sandstone, MN 55072 or email the information to tcampbell@wildcatsanctuary.org.

* Note: Please send all of the above information at least 12-15 weeks prior to the desired start date. Summer is the season that we receive the most applicants so it is suggested to send your information by February 15th. Please provide all the necessary information or your application will not be considered. Also, if you don’t meet all the requirements but are still interested, please contact us about interning during an off season (fall, winter or spring).

Prior to each internship season, staff reviews all intern applications. Applicants are then narrowed down and are contacted to set up a phone interview (sometimes interns will be asked to do 2 phone interviews). Staff will then contact the references of chosen applicants at this stage. All phone interviewees will receive an email confirming or denying their acceptance within 2 weeks of the initial interview. Those selected will be asked to return the necessary signed documents to TWS within 2 weeks of acceptance.

Training Program
Staff educates every intern through husbandry classes to ensure the safety and care of each of the sanctuary’s residents. Here is a list of some of the classes TWS offers:

• General Animal Information: This class covers protocols for keeper records, animal and enclosure inspections.
• Animal Observation: Learn the appropriate methods to assessing an animal’s behavior and the environment around them.
• Domestic/Hybrid Felids Husbandry: Teaches the daily cleaning/feeding protocols for domestic animals, Bengals, Savannahs, Geoffroy’s cats, Chausies and Jungle cats.
• Animal Emergency/ Escape: Interns will be instructed on the different procedures to ensure human and animal safety for all species that TWS houses. These protocols will be practiced regularly throughout the duration of each internship session.
• Safety Equipment: This class is meant to familiarize interns with the various equipment TWS uses. Each intern will learn the name and function of each piece of equipment; however, this is NOT a training class on how to use the chemical immobilization and the lethal force equipment. Interns will learn the proper techniques to using transport equipment, self protection tools and domestic/ hybrid capture equipment.
• Basic Human First Aid: This class is meant to teach the physical and behavioral signs of more common health condition and concerns. It covers basic treatments and protocols for handling various situations, but by no means equivalent to a C.P.R. training course.
• Lock-out Class: For the safety of humans and our residents, cats are shifted into “lock-outs” while enclosures are being cleaned or maintained.  Interns will learn the appropriate methods for “locking-out” various species ranging from African Servalsto Bengal tigers using operant conditioning.
• Food Preparation, Feeding, and Watering Class: This class covers the policies and procedures for food preparation, feeding and watering all TWS’s species.
• Enrichment Class: Interns are instructed on the importance of enrichment in a captive animal’s life. They will learn the four different types of enrichment, what acceptable forms of enrichment are for various species and the safety precautions of providing enrichment.
• Serval Cleaning Class: Teaches the standard procedures for cleaning and inspecting all serval and caracal indoor and outdoor enclosures.
• Upper Compound Cleaning Class: Teaches the standard procedures for cleaning and inspecting all bobcat and lynx enclosures.
• Cougar Cove Cleaning Class: Teaches the standard procedures for cleaning and inspecting all cougar indoor and outdoor enclosures.
• Big Cat Building Cleaning Class: Teaches the standard procedures for cleaning and inspecting all tigers, lions, leopard and jaguar indoor and outdoor enclosures.
• Quarantine Husbandry Class: Teaches the strict cleaning and feeding measurements that must be taken to insure the safety of humans as well as the animal. Learn instructional information for eliminating cross contamination with other TWS residents.
• Meds/Supplements Class: Learn the methods to accurately and carefully administer and distribute medication and supplements to TWS’s residents. Quarterly, interns will assist staff in fecals and parasitic prevention for its residents.
• Events/ Tour Back up: Covers expectations of interns during educational and fundraising events; in addition, the responsibilities of backing up a tour.

Additional Experiences Interns may be able to partake in:

• Vet procedures: All medical procedures/ treatments are done solely by TWS staff members and veterinarians. Interns may be chosen to observe these procedures and treatments. However this is not a guarantee for any intern. It is strictly on a case by case basis that is made by TWS staff. Staff bases the decision on the following criteria (but not limited to): risk and safety of humans and animal, intern’s behavior and work ethic, the species of the animal and the personality of the animal.
• Field trips: Staff may choose to take interns to other animal related facilities in the area.  This is a great opportunity for interns to gain knowledge and experience in other areas of the field. Staff bases the decision on the following criteria (but not limited to): the availability of other organizations, the safety of all animals and humans involved, the work ethic and attitude of each intern.

Questions:
For further explanation or specific questions please email Trista Campbell attcampbell@wildcatsanctuary.org.