Animal Care & Husbandry
A highly immersive internship for students and early-career professionals seeking real-world experience in wildlife care, sanctuary operations, and conservation education. Interns are not observers — you become an active part of the animal care team.
- On-site in Webster, FL
- Weekly stipend
- Housing available
- 4–8 months by hours
About the Opportunity
Chase Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservancy is offering a highly immersive Animal Care Specialist Internship designed for students and early-career professionals seeking real-world experience in wildlife care, sanctuary operations, and conservation education.
This role is comparable to a traditional zookeeper internship, but within a nonprofit sanctuary environment, where animal welfare, ethical interactions, and conservation take priority. Interns are not observers — they become an active part of the animal care team while also serving as tour guides and educators, helping deliver meaningful, up-close experiences to guests.
Species You May Work With
We care for 240+ animals across 70+ species, including a large population of critically endangered primates. Many of our animals are rescued from the exotic pet trade, and interns will learn how to care for animals with complex behavioral and medical histories.
Primates
- Ruffed lemurs (critically endangered)
- Ring-tailed lemurs
- Cotton-top tamarins (critically endangered)
- Marmosets and other New World monkeys
Mammals
- Two-toed sloths
- Asian small-clawed otters
- Giant anteaters & tamanduas
- Kangaroos
- Patagonian cavies
- Deer & antelope
Reptiles & birds
- Galápagos and Aldabra tortoises
- Sulcata tortoises
- Various reptiles and small mammals
- Macaws, toucans, hornbills, ravens, and more
What Makes This Internship Different
- Combines animal care with public education through tour guiding
- Work directly with 240+ animals, not limited observation roles
- Focus on sanctuary ethics and welfare, not entertainment-based handling
- Exposure to real conservation work and species preservation efforts
- Hands-on involvement in daily operations of a growing sanctuary
Key Responsibilities
Animal care & husbandry
- Prepare diets and assist with feeding routines across multiple species
- Clean and maintain enclosures, barns, aviaries, and habitats
- Monitor animal health, behavior, and enrichment responses
- Assist in enrichment programs, both behavioral and environmental
- Support habitat improvements and daily operational needs
Education & tour guiding — a major component
- Lead or assist with guided tours and interactive animal experiences
- Educate guests on conservation, species behavior, and animal backgrounds
- Ensure all interactions follow strict safety and welfare guidelines
- Communicate the sanctuary's mission and conservation efforts
Interns are trained to deliver structured, high-quality experiences that prioritize animal choice and autonomy, guest safety, and educational storytelling.
Sanctuary operations
- Assist with volunteer coordination and supervision
- Support fundraising and outreach efforts
- Maintain facility cleanliness and organization
- Follow all safety, animal care, and emergency protocols
Training & Learning Experience
Interns receive structured, hands-on training in animal diets and nutrition systems, enclosure maintenance and safety procedures, behavior observation and enrichment techniques, tour guiding and public communication, and sanctuary operations.
Training includes real operational systems such as AM/PM animal checks and counts, feeding protocols across species, and habitat inspections and safety systems.
The program is designed to prepare interns for future roles in facilities licensed or regulated by the USDA, the National Wildlife Federation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the American Association of Zoo Keepers.
Work Environment
This is a hands-on, physically demanding internship: outdoor work in Florida weather, cleaning, lifting, and active tasks throughout the day, in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Professional expectations include following strict safety protocols, maintaining a positive and respectful attitude, and adhering to dress code and animal safety standards.
Qualifications
- Pursuing or completed a degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, or a related field
- Strong interest in animal welfare and conservation
- Comfortable with physical labor and outdoor work
- Strong communication skills for this guest-facing role
- Reliable, responsible, and team-oriented
What you leave with
- Hands-on experience with 70+ species and 240+ animals
- Real-world sanctuary and wildlife care training
- Public speaking and education experience
- Mentorship from experienced animal care professionals
- Letter of recommendation upon successful completion
- Preparation for careers in zoos, sanctuaries, conservation, and animal behavior
All time off must be requested and approved prior to the start of the internship. Unapproved absences may result in dismissal from the internship program.