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If you’re studying animal sciences, veterinary studies, or related fields, or if you’re simply passionate about animal welfare and would like to intern with an animal charity – we have some exciting opportunities for you. By joining an animal internship, you can be part of animal charities that focus on the welfare of street animals, and contribute in a way that aligns with your study program or professional interests. Whether you’ll be doing fundraising or communications work, or working with animals hands-on, you’ll gain valuable work experience while contributing to an important cause.
An animal welfare internship brings forth a platform to advocate for the rights and well-being of animals while offering you the chance to develop your personal and professional skills further. You’ll be a voice for the voiceless and contribute to a more empathetic world.
Why choose Roots Interns for Animal Welfare Internships?
Grassroots work
You’ll join an organization that works directly with their community to solve problems on the ground and make a real impact.
Matchmaking
We’ll help you find and prepare for an internship with the organization that’s right for you and your skills, background, and passions.
Academic Placements
Working abroad is an experience like no other and your internship will be tailored to your studies and interests.
Browse All animal Welfare Internship Projects
Wildlife Sanctuary Program
- Min. 2 weeks
- Lilongwe, Malawi
- Animal Husbandry, Orphan Care, Observations, Integrations
Work directly with rescued animals, gain conservation skills, and contribute to meaningful rehabilitation efforts.
Find out more
Veterinary Internship
- Min. 4 weeks
- Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain
- Hands-On Clinical Work, Animal Care, Treatments & Consultations
Extend the reach of dedicated nonprofits through digital marketing campaigns and refined communications strategies.
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Customized Internship in Europe
- Min. 4 weeks
- Croatia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain
- Social-Environmental Impact, Tailor-Made, Nonprofit Development
Design a tailor-made internship experience that aligns with your professional and personal goals while furthering the mission of a nonprofit in Europe.
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Veterinary Internship
- Min. 4 weeks
- Santarém, Portugal
- Animal Care, Veterinary Assistance, Treatment
Get first hand veterinary experience by caring for vulnerable animals in a sanctuary surrounded by forest.
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Wildlife Husbandry Internship
- Min. 4 weeks
- Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
- Animal Care, Camera Traps, Training, Feeding
Gain hands-on experience caring for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife of Costa Rica.
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Orphan Care Internship
- Min. 6 weeks
- Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
- Animal Care, Nursery Assistance, Animal Research
Immerse yourself in nurturing and rehabilitating orphaned wildlife, contributing directly to their conservation in the heart of the biodiverse Puntarenas province.
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Veterinary Internship
- Min. 4 weeks
- Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
- Veterinary Assistance, Reporting, Animal Care
Work on the frontline of wildlife conservation in a wildlife sanctuary in Costa Rica and assist with animal treatments, record-keeping, and overall care.
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Galapagos Conservation Internship
- Min. 8 weeks
- Galapagos, Ecuador
- Internships, Summer internships, Gap year internships
Undertake a unique journey of conservation and transformation, working closely with experts to maintain Galapagos’ ecosystem.
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Wildlife Veterinary Internship
- 2-12 weeks
- Lilongwe, Malawi
- Veterinary Work, Animal Care, Integrations, Observations
A hands-on wildlife veterinary internship at a rescue and rehabilitation center
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Media Marketing and Content Creation Internship
- Min. 8 weeks
- Remote
- Content Creation, Videography, Design, Writing
Gain multifaceted working experience in design & marketing while supporting street animals.
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Other Academic Focus Areas
Benefits of Animal Welfare Internships
Practival Experience
An animal welfare internship will enable you to apply prior academic knowledge in real-world settings as you gain hands-on experience in animal care, rights, and welfare practices.
Personal Network
Build connections with the animal welfare community and establish relationships and contacts for future career opportunities.
Personal Growth
Animal internships can foster a sense of determination, responsibility, and patience through the challenges of animal care.
Make an Impact
Contributing to the well-being of animals and being part of initiatives that promote animal rights is sure to make a meaningful and tangible impact.
Communication Skills
An animal care internship will improve your teamwork abilities and enable you to communicate with diverse audiences from various backgrounds.
Animal Care
You’ll get the chance to enhance your resume with relevant real-world experience which displays your devotion to animal welfare.
Why Choose Roots Internships in Animal Welfare
Find out from our previous interns how internship positions in Animal Welfare can boost your professional career and grow your interpersonal skills.
This internship was amazing! I was able to work with so many unique animals, immerse myself in Costa Rican culture, and meet people from all over the world. This internship pushed me out of my comfort zone and I am proud to have traveled to a place where I didn't know anyone and managed to make many meaingul connections that I know will stay with me forever.
Lyra, American – University of Minnesota
Wildlife Husbandry Internship, Costa Rica
I loved interning at the sanctuary and being able to help with all the animals. I had a lot of fun during my time with the organization and was able to do/see a lot. It was a great opportunity to learn about Portugal and Portuguese culture, while also being able to further my experience in the animal/veterinary field!
Sydney, American – University of Vermont
Veterinary Internship, Portugal
My Animal Welfare internship gave me the opportunity to work and become a part of a close-knit team, which meant my voice was heard and valued. This engagement was beneficial to my time at this organization because it allowed me to work on projects that I was genuinely interested in and passionate about. I was able to learn about the day-to-day of the organization and also the big-picture concepts that drive them. From working on social media campaigns to content planning to more, I was able to use my skill set to make a difference, while also improving on my... See More
Stephanie, American – New York University
Writing & Communications Internship, Remote
Animal Welfare FAQs
What kind of work will I do during an animal internship?
Your exact tasks depend on the role you take within the organization. At Roots, we always want to ensure that as an intern, you’ll meet your desired learning outcomes and that the work you do fits within your academic focus and career goals. Our internships with animal charities have a range of focus areas; communications, content writing, fundraising, veterinary/husbandry support, project coordination, and overall nonprofit management. If you’re not sure which exact internship fits you best, just get in touch and we’ll help you figure it out!
What are the requirements for animal care internships?
This depends on the animal care internship you’re applying for. The specific requirements are listed on each individual internship page, so do check this out. But overall, it’s important that you have a flexible attitude and that you’re willing to take on a variety of tasks (as you’ll be part of a small organization). And it helps to have a passion and love for animals!
Where will I stay during my internship?
We’ll arrange comfortable and convenient accommodation for you, wherever you do your internship. You’ll share a house or lodge with other international students, volunteers, or travelers so that you’ll land in a welcoming social environment. We’ll get everything set up for you so you don’t have to worry about the details.
How will doing an animal welfare internship help my career?
There are so many ways in which an animal welfare internship can help build your resume, steer your career, and inspire you. First of all, you’ll get great exposure to the animal welfare sector. As part of a small and field-based organization, you can expect to get a thorough understanding of everything involved in operating a successful animal charity. If you’re planning on working in this field, the experience you’ll get will be invaluable. It will also give you great insight into the nonprofit world in general.
You can expect to have more responsibility than you’d have during a more traditional internship, and you’ll gain a wealth of experience in the specific focus area of your choice, which might be communications, fundraising, or veterinary medicine.
Your internship will easily translate into useful knowledge and experience for various types of careers. So even if you’re not planning on a career in the nonprofit sector, you can expect to have a resume-building, confidence-strengthening experience that will help you going forward.
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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