Description:
This is an unpaid volunteer role within our volunteer program. It is designed for reliable, self-driven, mature college students and high school upperclassmen considering careers with animals. It’s also appropriate for those on a gap year after high school, or before graduate school. If you are seeking an unfiltered look at the rewards and challenges of a career in animal welfare, with a focus on equine and farm animals, we’d love to consider your application!
The Barn Animal Welfare Specialist (AWS) Volunteer Intern will support staff in caring for animals in our Equine and Farm animal program. Applicants should share the MSPCA’s desire to affect change in our community. Barn AWS Interns should have a deep sense of compassion and a strong desire to help both animals and people.
The Barn AWS Intern will demonstrate and embrace the organizational values of compassion, integrity, collaboration, excellence, service, and positivity in carrying out day to day tasks as well as interactions with others.
Please note, volunteers are not permitted to ride horses in the care of the MSPCA.
**Applications for this role close May 1st, 2026.**
Responsibilities:
- Clean and disinfect both indoor and outdoor enclosures.
- Provide appropriate food, water, and bedding.
- Perform miscellaneous barn chores as assigned by staff. Examples include but are not limited to: picking paddocks, disinfecting equipment, distributing approved enrichment items to animals, restocking supplies, and cleaning tack.
- Barn intern volunteers will care for a variety of species, including goats, chickens, geese, horses, and other farm animals. We cannot accommodate requests to volunteer with only a specific species.
- Read daily emails and other communications regarding our barn animals.
- Participate in training as required by role.
- Have the ability to keep information confidential.
Physical, Emotional, and Mental Requirements:
- Able to sustain moderate to heavy activity with variable amounts of standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and stooping.
- Able to lift, push, pull, or carry objects and/or animals weighing 50-75lbs.
- Able to safely perform these duties in variant temperatures and elements including extreme heat, extreme cold, and inclement weather.
- Able to safely navigate uneven terrain and remain aware of your surroundings.
- Must be able to manage any animal or hay-related allergies with medication.
- Applicants must be able to adhere to rules regarding infectious disease quarantine and other important safety matters.
- Able to multitask, prioritize, and complete tasks in a fast paced, high stress environment.
- Able to maintain composure during challenging and/or emotionally charged situations.
- Able to work with staff, fellow volunteers, and clients in an empathetic and supportive manner.
- Adaptable to an ever-changing environment. This role is not a suitable match for individuals who do best with routine tasks.
- Receptive to direction and feedback.
- The ability to remain open-minded and understanding of decisions for euthanasia that consider the animal’s physical and emotional well-being and the safety of the community.
- For the safety of volunteers, staff, and our animals, as well as guests on our property, we are unable to accommodate request for alterations to these requirements. This includes but is not limited to requests for frequent breaks, or altering the ability to lift/push/pull/carry 50-75lbs.
Required Skills and Attributes:
- Reliability and punctuality are key!
- Ability to work well with and communicate effectively with the public, staff, and fellow volunteers.
- Ability to be judgment-free in challenging situations, including animal surrenders.
- Able to work independently.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus!
- Proficiency in using a computer without assistance, and learning new programs. All volunteers digitally log hours and use an online scheduling function.
Experience and Education Requirements:
- Completion of junior year of high school or higher by June 2026.
- Significant, recent equine and/or farm animal experience required.
Other Requirements:
- Applicants for this role must have a valid driver’s license and their own personal vehicle.
- Within one week of submitting an application, a cover letter and the contact information of two references must be submitted to nevinsvolunteer@mspca.org. References cannot be family members. Your cover letter should support you being a candidate who meets our needs and who will add value to our organization, while learning new skills.
- If accepted, attendance at a virtual orientation will be required prior to the start date.
- This role requires a high level of maturity, responsibility, and independence. All steps of the application process must be completed by the prospective volunteer rather than a parent or other 3rd party.
Time Commitment:
- One or two full days (8:00am-4:30pm) per week, on the same day(s) each week. This includes an hour lunch break 11am-noon. No half days are available.
- Maximum of 2 days per week, to maintain balance with any job or other activities you may have.
- Duration must be a minimum of 8 weeks during the period of May-August, starting no later than June 22nd. Weeks should be consecutive, with one gap allowed if you have a summer vacation planned. You may not miss more than one week in total once you have begun your internship. Please evaluate your other summer plans to ensure you can meet this commitment.
- As this is a summer role, when filling out the application please use your summer 2026 availability as a guideline when listing days you are available.
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