Animal Care Summer Intern

Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge

Job Description

Applications for our 2026 Animal Care Summer Internships are now OPEN and will close February 28, 2026.

Here at Piedmont Farm Animal Refuge, interns are an essential part of our team and play many valuable roles in the day-to-day work at our sanctuary! As an Animal Care Intern, you will be provided with the unique opportunity to learn what it is like to work as a caregiver to over 100 rescued farmed animals, including sheep, goats, cows, geese, ducks, turkeys, chickens, and (one) guinea fowl. This hands-on experience will equip you with substantial knowledge about caring for farmed animals in a sanctuary setting, as well as experience in public outreach through exploration of other sanctuary roles such as education and administration. Please read through all of the information before applying.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Opening up animal houses and ensuring doors and gates are properly secured

Feeding animal residents

Cleaning and replenishing water bowls and pools

Providing daily enrichment for residents (e.g. giving treats in puzzle toys, spraying interesting scents around the habitat, playing music, etc.)

Cleaning animal houses and yards (e.g. sweeping poop off goat bunks, spot cleaning sand in duck/goose houses, removing cobwebs, etc.)

Cleaning clinic cages

Assisting caregivers with medical care and health checks

Preparing food (e.g. chopping greens, making supplement and enrichment treats, cooking eggs for the chickens, etc.)

Washing dishes

Doing laundry

Cleaning and tidying human workspaces

Observing animals for any behavioral or health issues

Shadowing staff members in roles outside animal care (education, administrative and facilities departments)

Leading activities for campers during Camp Compassion

Several educational activities

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be at least 18 years old

Respect for our animal residents as individuals with inherent value

Willingness to learn about the Refuge’s approach to farmed animal rescue and care

Respectful and professional attitude toward staff, volunteers, and visitors at the Refuge

Willingness to do manual (sometimes dirty and smelly) work outside in all weather conditions

Ability to lift bales of hay and straw and carry 5 gallon buckets of feed and water (about 50 pounds)

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time and climb ladders

Attention to detail

Ability to follow written and spoken instructions

Ability to work both as a team and independently

Punctuality and efficient time management

Comfortable working with cows, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl

Comfortable around wildlife, including snakes, spiders, mice, and others

No previous animal experience is required

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

The internship is 12 weeks long from mid May to late July or early August. Shifts are 8am-1pm, and interns work 4-5 shifts a week (20-25 hours/week).

On-site housing is not available, so interns must have reliable transportation to and from the Refuge. An exception could possibly be made for interns residing far away from the Refuge, but it is not guaranteed.

This is an unpaid internship. However, if you need academic credit for the internship, we can work with you to see if our program meets your requirements.

Interns are expected to respect the Refuge being a vegan space by not bringing any animal products on site in the form of food (meat, dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin) or clothing (leather, wool, fur, silk).

WHAT PAST INTERNS HAD TO SAY:

“The Refuge provides a great education on animal care responsibilities while also teaching about proper animal welfare in all regards (diet, treatment, entertainment, etc.). This internship was the assurance I needed that animal care work is the career for me.”

“This internship gave me the necessary context and preparation for a professional career in animal rescue and care. I now feel confident in my ability to handle and care for a variety of animals.”

“[Interning at the Refuge] was a fun, educational experience full of personal growth that will stay with me throughout my career!”

“My personal relationship with animals grew a lot stronger—it was the opportunity I was looking for to put my beliefs into practice.”

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Submit an application between January 1 and February 28, 2026.

Brief phone interview

In-person working interview (8am-12pm)

Internship offer

We will review applications after the deadline of February 28. We will respond to all applicants via email by mid-March.

Questions? —> Email info@piedmontrefuge.org