Internships
Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary Internship Program
Fall/Winter Six-Month Big Cat Internships
Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary is currently interviewing for Fall/Winter six-month animal keeper internship positions. Safe Haven provides lifelong care to surrendered and confiscated exotics including tigers, African lions, bears, mountain lions and small wild felids including bobcats, caracals, African servals and native Nevada wildlife. Most recently, Safe Haven has been working with both the Cheetah and Snow Leopard Foundations, providing homes for those “retired” from the Species Survival Plans. Interns will gain extensive experience and skills necessary to pursue paid animal care positions. Safe Haven is accredited by GFAS, the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, meeting over 500 animal care recommendations.
Responsibilities:
Provide daily animal husbandry, medications, species-specific diets and supplementations.
Daily animal feedings.
Habitat and den cleaning.
Assists in safe capture procedures.
Participates in emergency training and evacuation drills.
Provide animal enrichment.
Provide informal educational tours to the public.
Assists in lifting and positioning sedated animals during on-site veterinary exams.
Requirements:
Must be 18 years or older.
Prefer students working toward a degree in animal science, zoology, biology and environmental sciences.
Self-motivated and hard working.
Professional attitude and ability to work with other interns and staff.
Must be comfortable with interacting with the public.
Able to lift at 50 pounds and work in inclement weather.
Must adhere to safety protocols and no-contact policy.
Must have own vehicle and valid driver’s license.
Education and Pre-Requisites
H.S. Diploma or GED equivalent.
Compensation and Benefits
This is an unpaid position. However, interns are provided free onsite housing and a $1,200.00 per month stipend.
To Apply:
Applicants can submit a cover letter, resume and two letters of recommendation to:
Submitted materials will be reviewed and an interview scheduled.
“My six month internship at Safe Haven was an incredible experience. It taught me so much about working at a GFAS accredited sanctuary and caring for all the residents here. I gained experience working with a variety of big and small cats, foxes, coyotes, black bears, desert tortoises, and macaws. In addition to basic animal care (feeding, changing waters, giving meds, cleaning, etc.), staff and interns are always kept busy with a variety of tasks, such as providing enrichment, giving educational tours, and building new enclosures. Not only did I learn a lot personally, I also gained a lot of experience sharing my knowledge with others through leading tours of the sanctuary and talking to people about both our animals as individuals and the systemic problems facing wildlife in captivity, from the exotic “pet” trade to the exploitative entertainment industry.
Spending time with the animals taught me so much about each individual, their behaviors, and my deepest interest, their psyches. My ultimate career goal is to specialize in the psychological health of sanctuary animals, as so many experience adverse or traumatic backgrounds before reaching their forever home. My internship gave me a great introduction to caring for animals with a wide variety of histories and seeing firsthand how an animal’s past experiences can shape their personality and behaviors, as well as how an animal who came from a terrible situation can blossom into a confident individual in a safe sanctuary environment. My favorite part of my internship was building relationships with all the residents. It was such a rewarding experience to gain their trust, get to know their quirks and unique personalities, and learn to recognize their moods and preferences. Finally, I can’t talk about my time here without mentioning my amazing coworkers! It was so much fun to get to know the other staff and interns and connect over shared interests. I made so many unforgettable memories here, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have been a Safe Haven intern!”
– Maggie Topalian, Safe Haven Intern
“The internship with Safe Haven was not only an incredible opportunity for me, but a great entrance into the world of animal care in a way not many people are afforded. Being able to work so closely with exotic animals and learn about their care as it varies between different species is the best way to prepare to care for any animals you may work with. The people are beyond kind and teach you how to do things, including the purpose for each protocol and procedure. Lynda Sugasa, the founder and executive director of Safe Haven, has the knowledge and compassion necessary for animal care and allows every opportunity to take on new roles and responsibilities to further your expertise in the field of wildlife care. She works closely with her staff to ensure the best care for each animal as well as the comfort and growth of every animal keeper.
In my time at Safe Haven, I felt my voice was heard when I offered to take on new roles, and my questions were answered when I wanted to learn and understand. In an internship, the purpose is personal growth in the field of interest. I felt Safe Haven had a grasp on this in a way, not many opportunities I had before did. The clear goal of Safe Haven is the care of the animals and the education of the public. Anyone presented with the opportunity to intern here will come away with priceless experience, valuable contacts, and a furthered love of animals and those who care for them.”
– Sam Tappan, Safe Haven Intern (January- June 2023)
Our Internships
We offer six-month internships, twice per year to graduates seeking to gain hands-on experience in animal, veterinary and environmental sciences.