Summer Animal Welfare Specialist Volunteer Internship

Are you interested in a career with animals? Do you want to spend your summer helping animals and people in our community? If so, the Summer Animal Welfare Specialist Volunteer Internship might be a good fit for you!

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. If you are seeking an unfiltered look at the rewards and challenges of a career in animal welfare, we’d love to consider your application!

The Animal Welfare Specialist Volunteer Intern will support staff in caring for our animals and connecting people with the resources they need. As such, they should share the MSPCA’s desire to affect change in our community. AWS Interns should have a deep sense of compassion and a strong desire to help both animals and people.

The 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.

Applications must be submitted by May 1st, 2026.

Responsibilities:

• Complete a variety of tasks as directed by staff. Tasks may include but are not limited to cleaning, disinfecting, office work, cage set up, laundry, dishes, donation sorting, and animal care.
• Ensure all animals are provided with the best possible care.
• Clean and disinfect kennels/cages, which are regularly soiled with feces and urine. Vomit and blood may be encountered.
• Provide proper food, water, bedding, and enrichment to shelter animals
• Provide quality and meaningful customer service to the general public at all times.
• Participate in training as required for role.
• Keep information confidential.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to sustain moderate to heavy activity with variable amounts of standing, walking, bending, reaching and stooping.
• Able to lift, push, pull or carry up to 50 lbs.
• Able to perform these duties in variant temperatures and inclement weather.
• Must be able to manage any animal or hay-related allergies with medication
• 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 50lbs.

Emotional and Mental Requirements:

• Able to maintain composure during challenging and/or emotionally charged situations
• Able to be judgment-free in challenging situations, including animal surrenders
• 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.
• 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.

Required Skills & Attributes:

• Able to work well with and communicate effectively with the public, staff, and fellow volunteers
• Able to multitask and prioritize in a fast paced, high stress environment
• Able to work independently
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. As this role requires frequent verbal and written communication, applicants must be highly proficient in English. 
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus!
• Adaptable to an ever-changing environment
• Receptive to direction and feedback.
• Proficiency in using a computer without assistance, and learning new programs. All volunteers digitally log hours and use an online scheduling function. AWS volunteer interns may use computers for additional purposes.

Experience and Education Requirements:

• Completion of sophomore year of high school or higher by June 2026.
• Applicants must turn 16 by June 15^th, 2026. Internship cannot begin until the volunteer’s 16^th birthday has occurred, as our minimum volunteer age is 16.
• Some animal experience required. Experience with multiple species with various dispositions and behavior needs is especially helpful.

Other Requirements: 

• Attendance at a virtual orientation prior to the start date.
• Reliable transportation is required. There is parking on site, but there are numerous public transport options as well. Be sure to check out your possible commute before committing to volunteering.
• 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.
• Volunteers age 16 and 17 must be able to obtain a MA Youth employment permit for this volunteer role, prior to their volunteer start date. Details can be found at https://www.mass.gov/service-details/youth-employment-permit-information
• Please note that this is not a veterinary medicine internship. Although AWS Interns will receive exposure to shelter medicine, they will not regularly be working in our clinic or observing medical procedures.

Time Commitment:

• One full day (7:30am-4:30pm) per week, on the same day(s) each week. This includes an hour lunch break 11am-noon. No half days are available.
• Duration must be a minimum of 8 weeks during the period of June – August, starting no later than June 30^th.
• 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.

Apply Now!