At PAWS, we believe that wild animals are best served by being allowed to live undisturbed in their natural environment. As development encroaches on wildlife habitat, PAWS' nationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation center rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned animals and educates people about peaceful coexistence with wildlife. It is our goal to return wild animals back to the wild where they belong. No animals are permanently kept in captivity at PAWS.

Internship Description
Spring and summer are the busiest seasons for wildlife rehabilitation centers, including PAWS. During these months, we often receive 30-40 animals per day (between 3,000-4,000 wild animals each year). The primary role of a wildlife department intern is to help care for these animals, many of whom are orphans. The internship is intense, physically demanding, fast-paced and repetitive, giving interns the opportunity to learn about all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation.

Interns gain valuable practical experience, while helping PAWS' wildlife patients and working with professional staff and highly trained volunteers. Some of the skills learned include individual species identification and natural history, proper husbandry and enrichment techniques, animal handling, tube-feeding of mammals and birds, medication administration, lab work, and various other procedures. Interns will receive daily one-on-one training and are required to attend an orientation and two in-depth training classes. Interns will also have the opportunity to work on an individual or group project.


Job Duties (After training)

• Cleaning tasks: cage cleaning, laundry, washing dishes, sweeping and mopping floors, grounds-keeping.
• Answering phones and admitting new animals.
• Setting up and maintaining animal enclosures by referring to the natural history of the individual species.
• Preparing food (includes preparing dead prey for carnivores and raptors).
• Animal care: handling and restraint, hand-feeding and tube-feeding of birds and mammals and assisting with the releases of rehabilitated wildlife.
• Medical care: administering daily medications, performing lab work, assisting staff with animal intake and physical examinations.
• Other tasks as required.

• Ability to speak, read and write the English language fluently.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to perform tedious tasks for long periods of time.
• Ability to do rigorous outdoor work in all types of weather.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, such as cleaning, lifting (up to 40 pounds), climbing stairs, etc.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently while precisely following directions and procedures.
• Ability to get along with others in a group-housing situation.

• Three to four months, 40 hours per week, five 8-hour shifts per week.

• May 1st to August 31st
• July 15th to October 15th

• Your resume or curriculum vitae.
• Academic transcript supporting education level achieved (copies are acceptable).
• An essay describing your career goals and how an internship at PAWS will help you achieve your goals. The essay must be 1-2 typed pages in length.
• Three letters of recommendation, including at least one former employer, should also be submitted.

Mail to:
PAWS
Attn: Corrie Hines
Wildlife Program Manager
P.O. Box 1037
Lynnwood, WA 98046

For questions about the internship or the application process, please contact Corrie Hines at chines@paws.org or at 425.787.2500 x818.

Go directly to the Wildlife Internship Application page.