Overview
Whether you’re looking for an internship to help your resume stand out from the crowd, or just want to lend a helping hand to Pennsylvania’s native wild birds, the summer college program at Wildbird Recovery offers college students a unique, hands-on learning experience with wildlife. You will get to know the staff, volunteers, and animals on a personal level, as well as have the opportunity to assist with all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation including: diet preparation, cleaning of rehabilitation cages and pre-release enclosures, facility upkeep (sweeping, mopping, etc), and, once approved by the rehabilitator, hand-feeding.
General Tasks
Assist the clinic staff by cleaning cages, weighing animals, preparing diets and feeding the “self-feeding” animals. Interns also help with cleaning and maintaining the facilities, laundry and dishes, as well as other tasks determined by clinic staff. Interns may choose to assist with education programs, as well as training of resident education animals, and must complete a project of their choosing during their internship.
Requirements
* Must be at least 18 years of age. The demands of treating so many animals each year (most of them between May and September) require the highest level of commitment from interns. For this reason, interns are expected to commit to at least 3 7-hour shifts per week from May – August (or later, if available).
* The clinic is open seven days a week, year-round.
* Animal care involves the ability to bend and kneel easily, carry buckets of water and food to outdoor enclosures (about 20 pounds), stand for 4 hours, walk unaided and walk on uneven outdoor terrain.
If you have any questions or concerns about these requirements or the application process, please feel free to contact us.
Application
Students interested in the college summer program should e-mail their resume and cover letter to bree.bigelow@gmail.com.