Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Internship Program

Introduction
The Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has a staff of five wildlife rehabilitators and 150-200 volunteers who care for over 5,000 sick, injured and orphaned wild animals each year. Approximately 48% of the animals are birds; 50% are mammals; and 2% are reptiles, amphibians or exotics.

Goals
The Intern Program is a valuable experience for the intern as it is a source of inspiration, new ideas, and an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience. At the end of the internship, the intern should have a working knowledge of the basics of wildlife rehabilitation (see “Objectives”).

Overview
Interns will be accepted for a twelve-week minimum period. Priority will be given to qualified applicants who are available full time and who express the earliest dates of availability to begin their internship. Positions are available between April 1 and October 31 and carry a stipend of $7.25 per hour, paid biweekly.

Housing with a Center volunteer’s family may be available for out-of-town interns. Volunteer positions are available year-round.

Training
Hands-on training will begin by working primarily in our bustling Nursery, but also in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Treatment Center (long-term recuperation center). You will immediately be immersed into the work and function as a valuable staff member. Primary tasks include cage cleaning, animal food preparation and feeding, and administering staff-directed treatments and medications.

A comprehensive Intern Manual which contains departmental procedures is provided to all interns. There will always be a staff wildlife rehabilitator available for questions and assistance.

Training may also include assisting with our telephone hotline, animal-intake and reception duties, animal rescues and releases, and more.

If time is available, interns may work towards the completion of additional projects for school credit.

Qualifications and Expectations
The WHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is looking for motivated undergraduate or graduate students majoring in a biological field or veterinary studies; wildlife rehabilitators seeking more experience will also be considered. Previous animal handling experience is a plus.

Ideal interns are mature, hardworking, reliable, enthusiastic, conscientious individuals who are willing to perform a variety of tasks with a smile. Good communication skills and an ability to effectively work in a team environment are essential. A successful wildlife intern should also be able to work well under pressure.

Interns must be available evenings, weekends and holidays. They must also be available for the entirety of their internship; vacation requests are very rarely approved. Though we try to limit overtime, working overtime is sometimes necessary to complete essential animal care duties.

At times, this can be a physically demanding position. Interns must be able to stand for 8 hours a day, bend, lift, stoop, twist, crawl, and be able to lift 50 pounds.

A WHS Wildlife Center Intern will take full advantage of the internship by accepting increasing amounts of responsibility throughout their internship.

Objectives
At the end of the internship, the intern should have a working knowledge of a wide variety of subjects central to the practice of wildlife rehabilitation. These subjects can include:

• Performing physical exams on birds and mammals.
• Medicating animals by various routes.
• Formula selection and feeding techniques for orphaned mammals and birds.
• Maintaining accurate animal care records.
• Limiting stress in captive wild animals.
• Basic fluid therapy techniques.
• Facility sanitation and animal food hygiene.
• General release criteria for rehabilitated wildlife.

Evaluation
Upon request, a written evaluation will be sent to the school at the completion of the internship.

How to Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter explaining what you can offer and hope to receive from an internship to: bbohl@wihumane.org.

Application materials may also be mailed to:
Human Resources / Wildlife Internship
Wisconsin Humane Society
4500 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53208-3156

Equal Opportunity Employer