Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit center (More info HERE) that exists solely on mostly donations from people like you, some grants & the help of our dedicated volunteers. Our goal is to treat injured animals, with the intent of releasing each animal back to the wild, if possible. If the animal is unable to survive in the wild we house them, feed & use them as an educational animal with interns & the public. Much of the wildlife that arrives at our doorstep is from some form of conflict with humans; such as being hit by cars, attacked by cats/dogs or being taken away from their parents by well meaning, but unknowing humans. We hold current state & federal licenses for wildlife rehabilitation, possession, & education.

      Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary specializes in the rehabilitation, care & treatment of small mammals, songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, and/or reptiles. Some of the Sanctuary's services, but not limited too:

• Orphan care for babies, with the intent to eventually release them back to the wild

• Educational programs & presentations to schools, youth groups, civic groups, or libraries(Click HERE for more information)

  • Programs can be tailored to native local wildlife, ecology, environment, natural resources, or backyard habitat creation

• A learning center is available to provide experience with hands-on rehabilitation for new rehabilitators, or those interested in earning their mandatory hours of experience & training for a variety of permits/licenses

• A permanent home to non-releasable waterfowl & assistance with placement of adoptable domestic waterfowl

• Social media updates on a weekly bases to promote activities, events, fund raising, educational moments or local issues concerning wildlife

      Possumwood Acres is only able to support itself through generous individuals, such as yourself, business sponsorships & through grant awards. Would you or your company consider becoming a sponsor today to support our efforts to protect, heal & educate people about the wildlife in the Onslow County area? If so please click HERE to be taken to our sponsorship sign up page.

Overview

Applications are being accepted for students 18 years old or older interested in volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary in coastal North Carolina.  Interns will receive intense rehabilitation training that focuses on native species of wildlife.  This includes small mammals as well as a wide variety of birds (songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, sea birds, shore birds). With this training the intern will be able to

participate in actual patient care and practice hands-on wildlife rehabilitation skills.  Upon completion of the internship, the student will receive a certificate documenting the skills learned and the hours of service performed.  No monetary compensation is provided with the intern positions, however, all necessary training is provided. Prior wildlife knowledge is not required but always appreciated. Limited housing may or may not be available for those performing 40 hours per week.

Training Benefits

Experience will be invaluable for students planning on furthering their education in the following fields:  Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Zoology, Veterinary Technician, Wildlife Management, Environmental Sciences, Small Animal Management, and Wildlife Rehabilitation. Internships allow qualified students to explore their interests and gain practical work experience in an active wildlife sanctuary. This experience will allow interns to find entry level employment opportunities in wildlife sanctuaries, nature centers, zoos, and wildlife centers.  They will learn the basics of public relations through dealings with those who find animals and bring them in for treatment.  They will be able to answer wildlife related questions and assist county residents by providing information and directing them to other relevant resources.   They will be able to take advantage of networking opportunities that may prove beneficial in the future in their chosen fields.  And finally, they earn Community Service Hours by volunteering at a non-profit organization.

Requirements

The intern will be working with wounded animals and their by-products (feces, urine, blood) and must provide proof of having a current Tetanus Booster (within the past 5 yrs.).  Anyone who is auto-immune system compromised or pregnant must provide a physician’s approval.  Other certain medical conditions may require a note of clearance from their physician before being allowed to work with any animals directly.

Program Specifics

Interns will be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week.  The sanctuary is open 7 days a week, from 9 AM to 9 PM. Schedules will include shifts on weekdays and weekends.    Program length may vary depending upon the intern’s availability, but a minimum of 6 weeks is required in order to receive a Certificate of Completion for the minimum of 180 hours.

Rehabilitation

Perform hands-on animal care inside the Animal Room.  This includes feeding, water, tubing, weighing, assisting with wound care, bandaging, splinting, administering medications, fluid therapy, and orphan care.  Proper husbandry will be maintained while cleaning and changing cages, as well as demonstrating proper safety precautions at all times while handling wildlife patients.  Interns will also have the opportunity to arrange for an additional week of training at a local veterinarian office and at the local zoo, if desired.  This additional training is optional and not required, but offered for those interested in these careers.

Education

Assist in wildlife presentations and programs, and help conduct group tours of the sanctuary.  Interns assist education staff with a variety of programs for the public and schools both on and off site. In addition to improving their own presentation skills, interns assist with program development.  Interns must be willing and able to relate to the public and have a tolerance for large school groups for students of all ages. Excellent customer service skills are a must.

Education Animal Care

Learn to work with the non-releasable animals and birds used in programs and presentations, and assist in the manning process for the raptors.  Interns will develop enrichment activities for mental stimulation for these program animals.

None

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.