Two ways to join the team.
Our animals are cared for by a mix of volunteers and interns — people who give a few hours a month over years, and people who build a whole semester around us. Both matter. They just ask for different things from you.
Both ask for four months. The difference is how much of your week they take.
Volunteering asks for a four-month minimum and a few hours a month, scheduled around the rest of your life — and most people stay far longer than four months. An internship asks for 20 hours a week over a set term, and gives back credit, references and career training. If you're a student who needs those things, intern. Otherwise, volunteer.
What each one actually asks of you
Volunteering
Open to the community. Flexible scheduling. On site with the animals, or from home supporting outreach.
- Who it's for
- Anyone 16 and older — every role, on site or at home
- Time
- Scheduled shifts — as little as a few hours a month
- Length
- Four-month minimum, then stay as long as you like
- Application
- Short form plus a volunteer fee covering your first Chase t-shirt and handbook
- You'll get
- Hands-on animal time, training from our keepers, Bright Futures hours
- Not included
- Academic credit, stipend, or housing
Internships
A structured, full-term program in one of seven career tracks, with mentorship and formal evaluation.
- Who it's for
- Students and recent graduates in a related field of study
- Time
- 20 hours a week on most tracks; up to 40 for animal care
- Length
- 4 months on most tracks; 4 to 8 for animal care, depending on weekly hours
- Application
- Resume and application form, reviewed on a rolling basis
- You'll get
- Academic credit, a reference letter, mentorship, portfolio work, and a weekly stipend on some tracks
- Also available
- Optional on-site housing for animal care and pre-veterinary interns
Three questions that usually settle it
Read each one and go with your honest answer. If you land on different sides, the schedule question is the one that matters most.
1. How much time can you commit each week?
Both paths ask for at least four months. Interns commit 20 hours a week over that term on most tracks, and animal care runs 20 to 40 hours a week for four to eight months, with on-site hours typically between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Volunteers set their own pace inside the four months — a few hours a month is enough — and most carry on well beyond it.
Under 20 hours → volunteer2. Do you need academic credit or a formal reference?
Only the internship program produces a written evaluation, credit documentation for your institution, and a personalized reference letter from leadership.
Yes → internship3. Are you training for a specific career?
Internships are built around a track — animal care, veterinary, media, grant writing, tech, operations, or outreach. Volunteering gives you broad exposure rather than depth in one field.
Yes → internshipYou don't have to be here to help
Volunteering splits into two paths. Choose based on how far you live from Webster and what you actually enjoy doing.
At the sanctuary
On-site shifts across four areas: animal care, guided tours, the gift shop, and the snack shop. Some roles are hands-on with the animals; others keep the visitor experience running.
See the four on-site roles →At home
Outreach work you can do from anywhere — fundraising drives, donor thank-yous, community partnerships, social sharing, and event support. Ideal if you're out of driving range or have limited mobility.
See remote outreach roles →No time to give? Give anyway.
If neither path fits your schedule right now, a donation does the same work. Every dollar goes to food, medical care, and enrichment for the animals in our care. One-time gifts, recurring donations, and RoundUp programs are all available.