15 Animal Welfare Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student considering a career working with animals, interning with an animal welfare nonprofit is a great way to explore the field. These internships offer the opportunity to observe how organizations care for and protect animals, and to contribute to their efforts. They will give you a closer look at how nonprofits operate. Depending on the internship, you might help care for animals, assist at adoption events, support community outreach, or work on projects that highlight important animal welfare issues.
These internships will allow you to build communication, teamwork, and organizational skills. They can also help you connect with mentors and other students who care about animals as much as you do. Whether you’re considering a career working with animals or just want to support a good cause, these internships offer a solid opportunity to get involved. If you’re planning to apply to veterinary school, an internship can boost your resume by demonstrating practical skills.
Here are 15 animal welfare nonprofit internships for high school students that you can explore:
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: About 19%, though the exact percentage varies by internship and cohort
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; the next deadline for the winter cohort is November 16
Dates: Programs run year-round in 8–12 week sessions during spring, summer, fall, and winter; the next winter cohort starts on December 8
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, or gap year students who can work 5–10 hours a week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a remote program that matches high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide, including many supported by Y Combinator and led by professionals from companies such as Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. Created by Harvard graduates, this program can help you connect with virtual internships at nonprofits and startups, including those focused on animal welfare and social impact. To land an animal welfare role, you should express your interest in nonprofits and animal welfare during the matching process. As an intern, you’ll take on real projects for your host organization and present your work at the end of the program. You’ll also participate in group sessions with other interns, build communication and time management skills, and get support from both a Ladder coach and site manager throughout the process. Before applying, you can review the application form to see which internships are currently available.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual, with live workshops
Cost: Varies depending on the program; need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: 6–12 students (group program)
Dates: Group Program: June 9 – June 29, August 4 – August 24 | Individual Program: 12 weeks with flexible start dates
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort; the next deadline for the winter cohort is November 16
Eligibility: All high school students
The Young Founders Lab, started by Harvard and Stanford alumni, is a startup incubator for high school students who want to launch a business or nonprofit. You’ll work with a team to build a startup that solves a real-world problem, guided by mentors from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. You’ll learn idea development, business basics, market research, prototyping, and how to plan a launch. The program ends with a Demo Day, where you’ll present your project to potential investors. If you’re passionate about animal welfare, this program can guide you in starting your own nonprofit. You’ll get help with writing a business plan, learning legal requirements, creating a fundraising strategy, and building a support network. You can choose between a 30-hour online group program in the summer or a 12-week individual program during the school year, which includes 12 hours of one-on-one coaching. The Individual Program uses strategies inspired by accelerators like Y Combinator and insights from Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford alumni. You can review the program brochure for details.
3. Internships at Anderson Humane — Wildlife Care Technician Internship
Location: Anderson Humane Rehabilitation Center, Elburn, IL
Cost/Stipend: $30 internship fee | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: February – April (Spring) | May – July (Summer) | August – October (Fall) | November – January (Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Anderson Humane offers internships for students interested in animal welfare and nonprofit work. You’ll receive hands-on training from industry professionals. The Wildlife Care Technician Internship will allow you to work with over 3,000 rescued animals each year. You’ll train with licensed wildlife rehabilitators and rotate through five wildlife areas in South Elgin and Elburn for a complete experience. Your work will include feeding animals, cleaning enclosures, assisting with intakes, and providing medical care, such as fluid therapy, wound care, and injections, under supervision. You may also join rescues, handle humane exclusions, update patient records, and communicate with vet staff. You’ll gain hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation, medical treatments, and database management. You’ll also learn about Illinois’ native species and build communication skills to work with the public.
4. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue Internships
Location: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, Indian Trail, NC
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Two 90-day sessions run each year, one in spring/summer and one in fall/winter
Application Deadline: Applications open in January for the spring/summer session and in July for the fall/winter session; rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school and college students aged 16 and above with a strong interest in animal care can apply; preference is given to college students in related fields or those who have completed a bachelor’s degree
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, a nonprofit organization, offers hands-on internships for high school and college students interested in wildlife biology, zoology, pre-veterinary studies, or public relations and marketing. You’ll work closely with a staff veterinarian, licensed rehabbers, and experienced volunteers. You’ll gain skills in animal handling, cleaning and sanitizing enclosures, food prep, habitat enrichment, and feeding techniques. Training includes giving medications, calculating dosages, administering fluids, bandaging, and helping with health checks, triage, and treatments. You’ll split your time between Wildlife Rehabilitation (medical exams, treatments) and Songbird Stewardship (feeding and caring for baby songbirds). You’ll care for songbirds, waterfowl, pigeons, chickens, and some small mammals. You’ll also hand-feed young patients, assist with intake exams, perform faecal tests, update the patient database, help with volunteer tasks, and answer hotline calls.
5. Wildlife Encounters Internships
Location: Wildlife Encounters, Gretna, NE
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available; flexible schedule
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; students must email their resume to info@wildlifeencounters.org
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in high school or college
Wildlife Encounters offers flexible internships for high school and college students looking to earn class credit or gain hands-on experience in animal care, wildlife conservation, education, or animal science. It is run by Wildlife Encounters, a nonprofit focused on wildlife education and caring for animals in need. You will work with staff to design a program that matches your interests and field of study. Typical duties include feeding and preparing diets for animal ambassadors, cleaning enclosures, and creating enrichment plans to keep animals active and engaged. You may also help plan and run summer camp activities, educational programs, and social media content, with opportunities to practice and improve your public speaking skills. If certain tasks don’t fit your goals, the team will adjust your internship to better suit your preferences.
6. MSPCA Boston’s Summer Animal Welfare Specialist Volunteer Internship
Location: MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Minimum 8 weeks between June and August, starting no later than June 30
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students who have finished their sophomore year and are at least 16 years old by June 15 can apply. Some prior experience with animals is required, and you can review the full list of requirements here.
The MSPCA Boston, a private nonprofit organization, offers the Summer Animal Welfare Specialist Volunteer Internship for students interested in pursuing a career in animal welfare. This unpaid internship will allow you to experience both the rewards and challenges of working in the field. You’ll assist staff with animal care and help connect people to resources, sharing MSPCA’s commitment to compassion and community impact. Your tasks may include cleaning and disinfecting cages, doing laundry, washing dishes, providing food, water, bedding, and enrichment, sorting donations, setting up enclosures, office work, and making phone calls. You’ll also provide quality customer service, attend required training, and maintain confidentiality. You will work one to two days per week, balancing the internship with other activities.
7. Malott Family Zoo Intern Program
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 8; orientation on June 7
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders, aged 16–18, who live in Chicago and are legally eligible to work in the U.S.
The Malott Family Zoo Intern Program offers Chicago high school students the opportunity to explore the Lincoln Park Zoo, a nonprofit organization, and learn about animal and conservation science. This is a seven-week paid program, where you’ll explore informal education techniques, figure out how to share conservation messages with guests, and create a final project promoting practical conservation practices. You’ll also meet researchers and Animal Care staff to learn about careers in animal science and conservation. You need to be available for orientation and all training days. During the program, you’ll work on animal-related projects, including observing animals in their habitats. You may also have the opportunity to participate in special events, such as behind-the-scenes tours and presentations by zoo professionals, to learn more about zoo careers.
8. Animal Care Shelter for Kent County (ACSKC) Internships
Location: Animal Care Shelter for Kent County, Chestertown, MD
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the available positions
Dates: Six weeks
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the opportunity
Eligibility: Kent County high school students
The Animal Care Shelter for Kent County (ACSKC) Internships provide Kent County High School students with an opportunity to explore careers in animal care and medicine. The program is run by ACSKC, a nonprofit that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes homeless animals in Kent County. You’ll work with animal welfare professionals, get hands-on experience, and build practical skills. You’ll help improve the daily care and quality of life for the shelter’s animals. During your internship, you may provide daily enrichment for the animals or assist the Medical Coordinator with routine exams, helping to improve the health and well-being of the pets in the shelter. These experiences will allow you to build lasting connections with both the staff and animals.
9. High School Internships with PAWS Chicago
Location: PAWS Chicago Medical Center & Lurie Clinic, Chicago, IL | PAWS Chicago Lincoln Park Adoption Center, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Limited cohort size
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
PAWS Chicago is a nonprofit that rescues and finds homes for pets in the Chicago area. It offers a limited number of high school internships each semester. Throughout your internship, you’ll work with PAWS staff to care for animals, help find them loving homes, socialize cats, walk dogs, and create enrichment activities that improve their well-being. To join, you must be part of a formal job-readiness or career-focused program run by your school or community organization. You’ll gain valuable insight into animal welfare and nonprofit work. Internship opportunities include assisting with direct animal care, adoption support, enrichment planning, community outreach, shelter operations, social media management, fundraising, and participation in special events. You can also apply for the Animal Welfare Internship, where you’ll rotate between the Lurie Spay/Neuter Clinic, Animal Care, and Shelter Medicine to gain a deeper understanding of animal sheltering.
10. West Place Animal Sanctuary Humane Education and Workforce Development Internship Programs
Location: West Place Animal Sanctuary, Tiverton, RI
Cost/Stipend: Free | Information about a stipend is not provided
Cohort Size: Limited cohort size
Dates: June – August (Summer Internships) | September – May (School-Year Internships)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school and college students
West Place Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit, offers local students hands-on internship opportunities at its 8-acre farm. You’ll help care for rescued animals, assist with wildlife rehabilitation, and participate in veterinary visits, shearing, hoof trimming, and dentistry. You’ll also get involved in growing food on-site, learn about farm management and land stewardship, and practice gardening, horticulture, and landscaping. You’ll gain experience in facilities maintenance, farm and nonprofit operations, and fundraising, marketing, and communications. You’ll develop practical skills and values that are applicable in any setting, strengthening your school applications and resume.
11. Berkeley Humane Animal Adoption Internship Program
Location: Berkeley Humane, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Three months; 20 hours per week
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students and non-students who have strong customer service skills and a passion for educating others about quality animal care can apply; you can review the physical requirements for participation here
Berkeley Humane is an independent nonprofit that offers an Animal Adoption Internship for students and non-students interested in animal rescue and shelter work. You’ll gain hands-on experience in adopting out cats and dogs in a busy shelter setting. You’ll also learn about shelter care, basic post-adoption medical care, and more. As an intern, you’ll work with staff to match animals with homes that meet Berkeley Humane’s standards, share post-adoption behavior and medical plans with adopters, update the animal database, and answer questions from visitors and the public when needed. The internship is unpaid, but it may help you earn course credit. After completing the program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion and a Letter of Recommendation.
12. Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) Internship Program
Location: Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha, NE
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: Three months; internship opportunities are available during spring, summer, and fall semesters
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15 or older
The Nebraska Humane Society, a private nonprofit, offers internships for students who want hands-on experience working with animals. The program is available year-round and requires a commitment of at least 10 hours a week for three months. You’ll get to explore different areas of the shelter, build real-world skills, and learn more about careers involving animals. You can learn about adoptions, animal care, medical and behavioral services, or education. Depending on the opportunity, you might help match animals with new homes, care for orphaned kittens, assist with medical treatments, learn about animal behavior, or develop skills in public speaking, leadership, and curriculum planning. This program will help you explore your interests, gain practical experience, and build confidence working with animals and people.
13. Mazott Family Research Apprenticeship Program
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: June 23 – August 8; orientation on June 7
Application Deadline: March 10
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders and college freshmen, ages 16–18, who live in Chicago and are legally allowed to work in the U.S.
Lincoln Park Zoo, a nonprofit focused on wildlife care, conservation, and education, offers the Malott Family Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP), a seven-week paid summer program for Chicago high school students. You’ll be paired with a mentor from one of the zoo’s five science centers and guided through your own research project. Your work will focus on animals and may involve observing them in natural or zoo habitats. You’ll gain hands-on experience in field and computational conservation research, explore natural science careers, and develop your analytical and communication skills. The program ends with a poster session where you share your findings with family, friends, and the zoo community. Past projects have included studying the impact of roads and waterways on bat activity, examining litter size and first-year mortality in Geoffrey’s marmosets, and mapping biodiversity along the Nature Boardwalk.
14. Blue Iris Farm Internship Program
Location: Blue Iris Farm, Lebanon, CT
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the available positions
Dates: Vary depending on the available positions
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school and college students
Blue Iris Farm, a nonprofit farm animal rescue, offers internships for high school and college students interested in animal welfare, farming, and community outreach. You’ll gain hands-on experience in farm management, animal care, and teamwork. As an intern, you might get to plan tours, field trips, summer camps, and community events, help with animal care and feeding, assist with landscaping, or work on animal education projects. You can also develop skills in social media and photography. During the internship, you’ll complete assigned projects, attend training sessions, and stay in touch with your supervisor about your progress. This experience will help you gain practical skills, work in a professional team setting, connect with others in the field, and strengthen your resume. You’ll also help out with Blue Iris Farm’s mission to promote animal welfare.
15. PETA Internships
Location: PETA Foundation, Norfolk, VA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Varies depending on the available positions
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; To apply, you can email IWantToIntern@peta.org
Eligibility: Students who are at least 18 years old, have signed up for PETA’s Action Team, have at least one year of work or volunteer experience, and show strong written and verbal communication skills
PETA and the PETA Foundation offer internships for students passionate about animal rights and activism. During the internship, you will help protect animals from cruelty and exploitation as well as gain hands-on experience in advocacy and animal welfare. You might assist with direct animal care, participate in public outreach, join road campaigns, or work with PETA’s youth divisions to share animal rights information with thousands of young people. You’ll also get professional training through expert-led seminars, work on research projects like identifying vegan-friendly colleges, and participate in daily brainstorming sessions with PETA leaders to plan strategies and discuss current issues. Each internship is unique, giving you a chance to learn what it’s like to be an activist, understand how a nonprofit operates, and develop your skills in animal advocacy.