Intern With Lions, Tigers and other Big Cats
Big Cats = Big Opportunities for a Select Few
Big Cat Rescue is pleased to announce that it is in its fourth official year of a formally structured intern program. Internships are available in both our animal husbandry and education departments.
Internship News: Due to the overwhelming popularity of our internship program, very limited space remains available for our summer 2008 session. Applications are now being accepted for fall 2008 and onward. Acceptance to the internship program is on a rolling basis throughout the year and is based on the availability of applicants. There are only twelve available intern positions at a given time, so it is recommended that you apply as early as four-six months prior to your desired start date.
Program Overview
Big Cat Rescue is a TAOS accredited rescue facility which over 100 exotic cats call home. The sanctuary offers internships in three month terms. Throughout the course of the internship, our interns gain valuable knowledge and working experience with exotic felines which can be later used to further one’s career in the animal field. Three month extensions may be offered to exceptional performers based on the availability of housing. The Intern Program consists of 6-12 intern position at any given time, overlapping each other throughout the year.
Training
With Big Cat Rescue’s big cat training classes you can gain the necessary experience often required for employment consideration in the animal field. The training classes currently available through the program are:
Animal Observation: teaches one to identify and document signs of an ailing animal.
Animal Emergency: to learn the standard operating procedures for an animal escape
Small Cat Cleaning: demonstrates the protocol and techniques for cleaning the lesser cat and small mammal enclosures, including bobcats, Canada and Siberian lynx, caracals, servals, fishing cats, jungle cats, ocelots, leopard cats, Bengal cats, binturongs, cavies, coatimundi, genets, and civets.
Guest Relations: teaches the safety procedures and guidelines for assisting with guided tours of the sanctuary.
Human First Aid: shows the protocol and techniques for minor wounds and conditions.
Events: offers guidelines for assisting with off-site educational programs.
Big Cat Cleaning: teaches the protocol and techniques for cleaning cougar enclosures.
Animal Feeding: shows the protocol and techniques for feeding the lesser cats
Enrichment: where we design and implement enrichment items for the animals.
Operant Training: learn to reward desired behaviors, a form of animal training.
Tour Guide: offers the guidelines for leading tours through the sanctuary.
Education Program Tour Guide: offers the guidelines for leading children’s tours through the sanctuary.
Animal Husbandry Intern Program
Internships within the animal husbandry program are full-time positions during which the intern will gain valuable knowledge and hands on experience working around exotic felines. There are two levels of internship available within the animal husbandry department. Level I internships are available to a broad range of applicants and designed to provide a base line of learning. This level is introductory and is geared towards individuals with little to no exotic animal experience. All interns begin the program as Level I and this is an unpaid position.
Level I Requirements:
The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Big Cat Rescue is an English speaking facility. Interns must be fluent in the English language, with both spoken and written comprehension.
The work is physical and primarily performed outdoors in all types of weather. Good health and endurance are required.
Interns are responsible for the cost of their own food, transportation, and long distance phone calls.
A criminal background check will be performed on each applicant and all references will be contacted to complete a reference form on behalf of the applicant.
Due to the intensive nature of this position, part-time jobs or classes are not permitted throughout the duration of the internship.
Level I Duties:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: enclosure cleaning, diet preparation, feeding, operant conditioning, and behavioral enrichment for the following species: Siberian and Canada lynx, servals, caracals, bobcats, ocelots, jungle cats, geoffroy’s cat, leopard cats, sand cats, fishing cats, and other exotic animals such as binturongs, civets, cavies, and coatimundi. While Big Cat Rescue is also home to lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, and cougars, these animals are not worked with or cared for by interns, although there are opportunities to observe these cats. Grounds maintenance including cage renovations, landscaping, general clean-up, building maintenance are also required duties. Interns are involved in guest relations, assistance with educational tours and programs, fundraising, legislation, and other tasks as deemed necessary.
Interns work a 5-6 day work week of 50+ hours. This includes holidays. Interns generally have Sunday off, or have light duties, with the exception of a mandatory meeting the first Sunday of each month. Depending on the needs of the sanctuary, interns may get one additional weekday off. Interns do not get Saturdays off.
Level II internships
Level II internships are available to applicants with a greater degree of educational and/or professional experience. A small stipend is available to help defray the cost of living for interns who meet the additional requirements. Acceptance into this program is contingent upon the unanimous agreement of our selection committee. Upon acceptance into the Level II program, there is a two week probationary period during which time a stipend is not offered. Following the probationary period, performance will be assessed by the Big Cat Rescue Volunteer Committee.
Level II Requirements:
Applicant must meet all Level I Requirements.
The applicant must have at least three years of college study in a relation field (biology, zoology, wildlife management, or psychology); or at least one year of full-time employment experience in a related field (zoo, wildlife facility, or vet clinic); or 3 years of management experience; or an invited graduate of BCR’s Level I internship program.
Must have an over GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Applicants must be hardworking, focused, dedicated, and able to work independently or in a team environment.
Successful completion of the Level I program does not guarantee acceptance into the Level II program.
Level II Duties:
All Level I duties are included.
Lead animal husbandry duties and projects.
Ensure maintenance of intern housing.
Required application materials for all internship programs:
Completed application, send application request to intern1@bigcatrescue.org
Unofficial or official transcript (Level II only)
A copy of your resume
Intern Housing:
Comfortable housing is provided free of charge. Each intern house can accommodate 2-4 interns. Guests are not permitted at intern housing.
For the duration of the internship, there is a 10 pm curfew, interns must be onsite and in their own housing at this time. Interns are not permitted to spend nights away from intern housing.
Veterinary Student Disclaimer:
Our animals are in natural habitats, with limited human contact, thus our routine veterinary care consists of monthly parasite preventatives and vaccinations every three years. These procedures are performed exclusively by our veterinarians and BCR staff. Opportunities to observe non-routine veterinary procedures, but they are infrequent and performed only as necessary in emergency situations, observation of these procedures are also not guaranteed. Opportunities for enrichment and behavioral training occur daily at the sanctuary and the interns do participate in these duties.
Application:
Applications should be submitted approximately 4-6 months prior to the desired start date of the internship. The standard start dates for internships are Saturdays, and acceptance is on a rolling basis throughout the year. Read the application carefully and be sure to answer each question completely.
Special Tips:
When listing your residential addresses, be sure include the county (not country, if in the US).
When listing your references, include an email address as we will send each reference an electronic reference form to complete on your behalf.
Non-US residents must submit an electronic copy of either their driver’s license or passport along with the application.
To request an application, email: intern1@bigcatrescue.org
Big Cat Parties are all open to Interns too!
Interviews:
Upon review of completed applications, the applicant will be contacted via email to set up an interview session date. All applicants must interview in person, with the exception applicants from abroad. The interview sessions are from Thursday through Saturday and are subject to availability. Schedules for the interview sessions are as follows: Thursday arrive for the 3 pm tour; Friday check-in at 8:30 am (unless otherwise specified) with the intern manager and you will shadow an intern or volunteer; Saturday check-in at 8:30 am and shadow an intern/volunteer in the morning and interview with the Selection Committee (casual attire). You are free to leave after the interview, which is conducted when time permits, but is usually by 2 pm at the latest. Housing during the interview session is provided for the applicant only. Transportation to and from the airport is the responsibility of the applicant.
Interviews are currently being scheduled. All US residents are required to participate in an onsite interview session. Interview sessions are by appointment only. Phone interviews will be conducted for all non US residents.
Questions:
For answers to specific questions, please email (preferred) detailed inquiries to Tiffany, our intern manager, at intern1@ bigcatrescue.org
Program Contact:
Kathryn Quaas
Big Cat Rescue Intern Manager
12802 Easy St
Tampa, FL 33625
Intern1@bigcatrescue.org
813.323.2085
The response to our intern program has been overwhelming. We receive over 100 intern inquiries each quarter. Kathryn spends time sorting through applications, responding to each one, interviewing the candidates, coordinating travel arrangements, and maintaining intern housing. Vice president Cathy Neumann tells us, “I am very excited about what the interns have to bring to Big Cat Rescue. Not only are they a huge help with the day-to-day tasks, but they bring their experiences and fresh point of view to the sanctuary, allowing us to make improvements. We have applicants from all over the US and the world and they have been eager to learn and to help provide our animals with great care.” Kathryn is so efficient with the coordinating of the program that she constantly has new applicants waiting as interns are ready to graduate from the program. This is a one of a kind program, not to be missed.
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee interviews applicants and selects the applicants that will be accepted into the program. The Committee is comprised of our president - Jamie Veronica, vice president – Cathy Neumann, operations manager – Scott Lope, intern manager – Kathryn Quaas, and volunteer curator – Jennifer Ruszczyk.
Den Mothers
Once you are accepted into the program, Kathryn, the Big Cat Rescue intern manager, will ensure that the time spent at Big Cat Rescue offers the interns a well rounded experience in every aspect of sanctuary work.
Kathryn understands the hard work and dedication necessary to successfully complete the program. Honey, a former intern, is a resident of one of the onsite intern homes and will ensure that interns maintain all intern housing.
See a slide show of a typical day in the life of a volunteer HERE.
Let us tell you about our current interns. We hope that their stories will be meaningful and inspirational to you. Visit Big Cat Rescue interns 2003-2007.