Job Application for Intern, Animal Care at Farm Sanctuary

Back to jobs

New

***Application Deadline: November 30th, 2025 12 pm EST***

Job Description:

Summary: The Animal Care team is responsible for providing daily medical care and enrichment to our rescued residents. Animal Care interns are crucial members of a dedicated team helping provide exceptional care to the non-human animals of Farm Sanctuary. An Animal Care intern’s responsibilities can range from supporting caregivers in daily health treatments and feedings, as well as assisting with barn cleaning and grounds maintenance. They also receive opportunities to learn about veterinary-based care practices and ethical sanctuary-based research. All of these responsibilities are critical to providing lifesaving care and creating an environment for our residents to thrive.

Responsibilities:

Feeding residents in animal hospital and on the sanctuary grounds
Monitoring wellness of animal hospital residents
Cleaning cages, floors, and food and water bowls in hospital
Assisting in daily enrichment activities
Participating in animal health checks led by caregivers
Washing scrubs, towels, and blankets used in the animal hospital
Cleaning animal enclosures and giving fresh bedding for the animals
Participating in larger grounds maintenance projects as needed, such as repairing fences, painting, and raking

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout sanctuary grounds.
Must be able to perform strenuous physical labor and lifting (up to 50 lbs regularly; team-lift heavier amounts regularly)
Must be able to bend, lift, push, stoop, stretch, climb, and crawl and other strenuous physical activities
Must be able to regularly perform job responsibilities in a variety of weather conditions; almost all work is done in outdoor setting that is not climate-controlled

Qualifications:

Currently pursuing or interested in a career in animal care
Be able to work independently
Efficient time management skills
Detail-oriented and ability to maintain good communication
Ability to maintain a positive and respectful attitude

Animal experience is preferred, but not required
Alignment with Farm Sanctuary’s values of compassion, understanding, integrity, transformation, and freedom
Familiarity, commitment to, and experience with the practice of equity and social justice, and the principles embedded in Farm Sanctuary’s mission

Program Perks:

Attend weekly Farm Sanctuary education workshops that include presentations, staff Q&As, documentary viewings, and hands-on learning opportunities
Gain beneficial work experience in nonprofit employment, especially within vegan, animal rights, and sanctuary organizations
Make strong professional connections and references
Gain valuable insight about farmed animal care, rescue, and education

Specifications:

Terms of employment: Full-time Temporary, non-exempt position
Reports to: Intern Coordinator, Animal Care
Location: Watkins Glen, NY
Pay: $16.00 per hour

Accommodations:

Communal housing on sanctuary premises provided and preferred, but not required.
Each intern is provided with a shared bedroom and a shared bathroom.
Companion animals are not permitted.

Benefits:

Eligibility to participate in Farm Sanctuary’s medical insurance plan starting the second month of the internship

Additional Specifications:

This position requires a commitment of three months (March 1 through May 31)
Valid driver’s license preferred.

Our Process:

Stage 1 (Dec 1-8): 30-minute virtual HR screen
Stage 2 (Dec 9-13): 30-minute video interview
Stage 3 (Dec 14-20): Reference checks
Stage 4 (Before Jan 1, 2026): Job offer

Farm Sanctuary is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all employees are respected, valued, and feel a sense of belonging. We work hard to provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type. We take our duty seriously to protect employees with regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We believe that our prioritization of diversity, equity, and inclusion is a strength and essential to achieving our mission. A diverse workforce brings many perspectives, ideas, and experiences, leading to more creative and effective solutions to our complex issues. By embracing diversity and creating an inclusive environment, we foster a culture of belonging where innovation and growth can thrive. We are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our organization, including hiring and recruitment practices, employee development and training, and interactions with the communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are core components in fulfilling our mission of rescuing and protecting farmed animals from cruelty, and we are committed to creating a culture of respect, civility, and compassion for all.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Any photos or videos taken in the scope of employment and/or related to Farm Sanctuary are considered work product and intellectual property of Farm Sanctuary.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Farm Sanctuary? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

First Name

Last Name

Country

Phone

Location (City)

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Gender Pronouns:

Select...

Are you at least 18 years old?

Select...

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States, and do you currently reside in the United States?

Select...

Please note that, because we are unable to sponsor visas at this time, we are only able to consider candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States and currently reside in the United States.

How did you hear about this position?

Select...

Have you worked for or interned at Farm Sanctuary in the past?

Select...

What motivates you to work at Farm Sanctuary and how does our mission align with your personal values?

If you were to explain the importance of animal rights to someone unfamiliar with the concept, how would you go about it?

How do you handle the emotional challenges of working in activism, particularly when faced with resistance or setbacks?

Describe a time you faced a challenge related to diversity and inclusion. How did you handle it, and what did you learn?

How do you envision yourself upholding Farm Sanctuary's values of compassion, understanding, integrity, transformation, and freedom in this role?

I certify that I have not knowingly withheld any information that might adversely affect my chances for employment and that the answers given by me are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that omission or misstatement of material fact on this application may be grounds for rejection of this application or for immediate discharge if I am employed, regardless of the time elapsed before discovery. I hereby authorize Farm Sanctuary to thoroughly investigate my references, work record, education and other matters related to my suitability for employment (unless otherwise noted on application) and authorize the references I have listed to disclose to Farm Sanctuary any information related to my work records without giving me prior notice of this disclosure. I release Farm Sanctuary from any claims, demands, or liabilities arising out of or related to this disclosure. I understand that, if offered employment by Farm Sanctuary, my employment will be at-will, meaning either Farm Sanctuary or I can terminate that employment with or without good cause and with or without advance notice and agree that nothing conveyed to me during the application process by Farm Sanctuary has altered this at-will employment relationship. I understand that nothing contained in this application or conveyed in any interview is intended to create an employment contract between me and Farm Sanctuary.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Farm Sanctuary’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Gender

Select...

Are you Hispanic/Latino?

Select...

Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Veteran Status

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305

Page 1 of 1

OMB Control Number 1250-0005

Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
Blind or low vision
Cancer (past or present)
Cardiovascular or heart disease
Celiac disease
Cerebral palsy
Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
Diabetes
Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
Intellectual or developmental disability
Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
Short stature (dwarfism)
Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status

Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Intern, Animal Care

Apply for this job

Voluntary Self-Identification

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability