Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue
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    • Home
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Our Staff
      • Newsletters
      • Wildlife Approved Vendors
      • Community Partners
      • SCWR in the News
    • Found an Animal?
    • The Work We Do
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Staff
    • Newsletters
    • Wildlife Approved Vendors
    • Community Partners
    • SCWR in the News
  • Found an Animal?
  • The Work We Do
  • Volunteer
  • Donate

Application Period for 2025 is Closed

Applications received will only be considered for Spring and Summer 2026


Spring 2026  

Recommended Date to Submit Application for Priority Consideration: 12/1/2025

Application Deadline: 1/1/2026


Summer 2026

Recommended Date to Submit Application for Priority Consideration: 2/1/2026

Application Deadline: 3/1/2026

Apply Now

Animal Care Internships

Animal Care Internship Job Description

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue is a non-profit organization. This is our mission statement:

Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue is dedicated to: the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife; the promotion, understanding, appreciation, protection and conservation of wildlife through our Educational Outreach Programs and our advocacy efforts. Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue also makes charitable contributions to animal rescue and rehabilitation organizations as authorized by the Board.


Our internships are set up to help us fulfill our mission statement and interns will contribute in all aspects of our statement throughout their internship. Each session is a minimum of 12 weeks. Interns will assist in any area that may be lacking help as well as accomplish regular duties each week. 


ALL LEVEL INTERNSHIP TASKS

Interns will assist an all areas of wildlife rehabilitation, not limited to animal care. These are the most common tasks that interns will be assisting with on a daily basis:

  • Preparing wildlife diets
  • Feeding wildlife patients, daily cleaning of enclosures
  • Cleaning and preparing enclosures for new patients
  • Facility maintenance (mulching, gardening, cleaning, laundry, dishes)
  • Predator Exclusion and Education Program barnyard and garden tasks (caring for domestic sheep, goats, cats, chickens, and working in Wildlife Education Garden)
  • Transporting wildlife patients or supplies 
  • Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning


LEVEL 1 INTERN AND LEVEL 2 INTERN TASKS

These are only examples of what can possibly be done. These skills are not guaranteed and will be taught on a case by case basis. Some aspects of the internship are season dependent.

12 weeks - Level 1 Intern

  • Observe examinations
  • Feeding baby squirrels, raccoons and skunks
  • Handling opossums, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, raptors etc…
  • Simple or baby animal rescues
  • Weighing wildlife
  • Examining deceased animals
  • Pulling up and administering subcutaneous fluids
  • Pulling up and administering medications 
  • Feeding coyotes
  • Shadowing different parts of our organization: Vet Visit, BOMP, AWES, PEEP


If an intern completes the 12 week internship and wishes to commit to another 12 weeks, that individual will be trusted to perform more tasks and learn additional aspects of Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. Interns who are interested in staying on for a Level 2 internship are encouraged to notify the internship administrator as soon as possible.


24 weeks - Level 2 Intern

  • Feeding opossum babies
  • Tagging opossum ears with staff (instead of assisting)
  • Help with examinations/preform simple exams
  • Additional hospital time
  • Draw up and assist staff with vaccinations
  • Guide other interns
  • Tube birds
  • Rescues that require more skills
  • An in depth use of our Wildlife Rehabilitation Medical Database

Internship Application

Join the team at SCWR as an intern. Our interns provide invaluable help to us in carrying out our mission. Work alongside the staff and other volunteers to provide care to wildlife patients and keep the facility running smoothly. 


Please read through all internship information prior to applying. For priority consideration, application deadlines are listed below however internship applications will remain open until all spots are filled.

Apply now

Internship Details

Interns who are pursing veterinary, biology, or ecological educational tracks in a professional career in wildlife will be given special consideration.  


You must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Commit to the 12 week program
  • Be able to work at least 3 days, working 8 hours.  
  • Be willing to work a flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, mornings, and evenings in all weather conditions
  • Have a valid driver’s license and have your own transportation
  • Be in good physical condition with the ability to lift at least 50lbs; able to bend, stoop, and crawl
  • Be comfortable in a fast-paced, high-stress environment
  • Must be ok with euthanasia, it is unavoidable


While no previous animal experience is required, there are certain aspects of the job that need to be considered.

  • Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue is not a petting zoo. You will be working with the animals, but it is important to remember these animals are terrified of us, and they can’t be talked to, cuddled, or pet.                                 
  • Wild animals have zoonotic diseases. Of the animals that come through our doors, 100% have some kind of disease or parasite (fleas, ticks, lice, worms, etc.).  They will have one or more that they can share with us. Safety protocols will be used, but you will be exposed. 
  • This job can be dangerous. Interns will be working in enclosures with wildlife and handling animals that can and will bite or scratch when scared. Safety training is required before these duties will be assigned.  


This position is unpaid. 


Schedules may be flexible, but you must commit to a minimum 3-day week, working 8 hours each day. A 5-day week is preferred, but we understand if you need to have a job to afford living in Sonoma County. You must complete a mandatory intern orientation before beginning.  


Application 

To apply, complete the Google Form (includes questions, resume, cover letter and references).


Apply using this Animal Care Internship Application Google Form. 

Please note the following dates for future intern application periods for priority consideration:

Fall and Winter internships are not available as it is our slow season and there are limited opportunities for animal care experience. 


Spring 2026  

Recommended Date to Submit Application for Priority Consideration: 12/1/2025

Application Deadline: 1/1/2026

Spring session ranges from February to May


Summer 2026

Recommended Date to Submit Application for Priority Consideration: 2/1/2026

Application Deadline: 3/1/2026

Summer session ranges from May/June to August/September


*Dates are subject to change and will be finalized at the time we begin accepting applications. 


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