Volunteer Internships
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2010
Oakland Animal Services (OAS), a division of the Oakland Police Department, is the municipal shelter for the city of Oakland, CA. OAS is dedicated to improving the relationship between the citizens of Oakland and its animals. Ensuring both public safety and animal welfare, OAS is responsible for responding to animal‐related calls for service including helping abused, neglected, injured and abandoned animals, investigating animal bites and regulating animal‐related activities within the City.
Summer interns will help enrich the lives of the animals in the OAS adoption program. Interns will specialize in rabbit, cat or dog care. Interns will spend the majority of their time at the shelter socializing animals and conducting adoption counseling. Beyond animal handling skills, interns will have the opportunity to learn about working with the public, veterinary care in a shelter environment, and animal cruelty investigations in weekly seminars. Interns will work side‐by‐side with shelter veterinary and administrative staff, animal control officers and volunteers. Interns will also organize a fundraising event for the shelter.
Please note that this is an an unpaid volunteer position.
Important dates:
May 28 2010 – Applications due (rolling admissions process, we recommend applying early)
June 4 2010 – Final admissions notices sent (rolling admissions notices sent throughout April‐May)
June 19 2010 – Program orientation
June 20 to 30 – Ongoing hands‐on training
June 23 to August 11 – Animal care and shelter seminars, Wednesday evenings 7 ‐ 8pm
Requirements:
• 18 years of age (no exceptions)
• Able to attend intern orientation (June 19) and complete training no later than June 30 (3‐6 sessions 1‐2hr each)
• Attend 6 out of 8 Wednesday evening seminars
• Commit to a minimum of 20hr/week for 6 weeks (after completing training)
Wed evening seminars (7-8pm, interns must attend at least 6):
June 23 – Basics of veterinary care: disinfecting, precautions, vaccines
June 30 – Effective adoption counseling / finding good homes
July 7 – Basics of animal control
July 14 – Basics of veterinary care: common signs of illness and diagnosis
July 21 – Animal behavior (separate dog/cat/bunny)
July 28 – Animal control investigation and prosecution of cruelty cases
August 4 – Wildlife rehabilitation
August 11 – How to establish a volunteer and foster program
Application Information:
If you have any questions, please email oas.internship@gmail.com.
To apply, send a completed application, cover letter and CV or resume to oas.internship@gmail.com.
Click here for an application form to complete.
