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January 21, 2014

Interning at a Farmed Animal Sanctuary

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Many people, especially those in metro areas, have little or no experience with living farmed animals, and their only exposure to them is from movies and tv. What's great about farmed animal sanctuaries is that most of them give people a chance to get a hands-on experience with farmed animals by letting visitors volunteer and by hosting work parties. This allows people to see how cuddly (and big!) a cow can be, how intelligent and dog-like pigs are, the way a chicken or turkey communicates with their flock, that sheep actually have long tails, and how silly goats are (as well as how accurate the "goat eating a tin can" trope can be!).

There is a smaller group of sanctuaries, though, that offer an internship program that allows for a more 'full-immersion' experience. These internships are almost always unpaid, and may require a refundable deposit to participate, however they can provide a great learning and work experience to anyone interested in animal care or behavior. During these internships, the sanctuary typically offers humble living quarters (if any at all), and usually require a minimum commitment of 4 to 8 weeks, with the option of staying longer (i.e. 12 weeks or more). It is also a requirement that you live as a vegan (or at least vegetarian in some cases) while on the property, and to not bring animal products into the sanctuary out of respect to the residents.

Some sanctuaries may have certain requirements to intern (e.g. be currently enrolled in college), while others may be open to anyone age 18 and older. Many sanctuaries that have internships will also give college credit to those that want it. And because they offer credits, the summer months are highly sought after and tend to fill up quickly as that is when students are out of school. So depending on who you are and why you want to intern, applying for the autumn, winter, and spring months may give you a better chance at being selected.

Below is an in-progress list of sanctuaries that currently allow internships.


Animal Acres (see Farm Sanctuary)
Location: Acton, CA, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
  • Education
Minimum commitment: 1 month
Offers college credits: Yes

Animal Place
Location: Grass Valley, CA, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
  • Education
Minimum commitment: 2 months
Offers college credits: Yes

Catskill Animal Sanctuary
Location: Saugerties, NY, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
  • Business Office
  • Communications
  • Hospitality
  • NYC Outreach
Minimum commitment: Varies
Requirement notes: Most internships at Catskill require the applicant to be enrolled in a related class or working towards a related degree.
Offers college credits: Yes

Farm Animal Rescue
Location: Dayboro, QLD, AUS
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care

Minimum commitment: 1 month
Offers college credits: Unknown

Farm Sanctuary
Location: Orland, CA, USA; Acton, CA, USA; Watkins Glen, NY, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
  • Communications (NY)
  • Development Services (NY)
  • Development Department (NY)
  • Education
Minimum commitment: 1 month
Requirement notes: Some internships may require previous experience.
Offers college credits: Yes

Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary
http://happytrailsfarm.org/category/sanctuary-news/
Location: Ravenna, OH, USA
Internships offered:

  • Animal Care 
  • Criminal Justice
  • General Facility Operations 
  • Marketing/Special Promotions 
  • Volunteer Coordinator
Minimum commitment: Unknown
Requirement notes: Internships are for applicants currently in college, university, or continuing education organizations.
Offers college credit: Yes

Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary
Location: Stockton, CA, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
Minimum commitment: Unknown
Offers college credit: Yes

Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary
Location: Gainesville, FL, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care 
  • Animal Health 
  • Social Media 
  • Office 
Minimum commitment: Varies
Requirement notes: Each internship has a different set of requirements; there is a weekly fee to participate for some internships.
Offers college credit: Unknown

New Dawn MT Farm Sanctuary
Location: Stevensville, MT, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
Minimum commitment: Unknown
Other notes: Internships are provided primarily for University of Montana students and staff. Contact New Dawn MT by email if interested otherwise.
Offers college credit: Yes

Pasado's Safe Haven
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/2011/08/intern-at-pasados-safe-haven-were-looking-for-you/
Location: Monroe, WA, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
Minimum commitment: Typically 3 months
Offers college credit: Unknown

Piece of Peace Animal Sanctuary
Location: Marysville, CA, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
Minimum commitment: 1 month
Offers college credits: Yes

Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary
http://animalsanctuary.org/volunteer/
Location: Poolesville, MD, USA
Internships offered:
  • Administration
  • Animal Care
  • Maintenance
Minimum commitment: Unknown
Offers college credits: Yes

SASHA Farm
http://sashafarm.org/volunteer/internship_program.htm
Location: Manchester, MI, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
Minimum commitment: 1 month
Offers college credits: Yes

V Animal's Sanctuary
http://www.vanimalsanctuary.org/interns-s/1825.htm
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Internships offered:
  • Shelter Projects
  • Rescue Department
  • Vet Tech
  • Irrigation & Landscaping
  • Event Coordination Dept.
  • Receptionist
  • Graphic Designer
  • Printing Department
  • Communications Department
  • Education Department
  • Social Media
Minimum commitment: 25-40 hours/week 

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary
Location: Willow, NY, USA
Internships offered:
  • Animal Care
Minimum commitment: 2 months
Other notes: Limited housing availability; must note on application if housing is needed.
Offers college credits: Yes

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