NKLA Kitten Caregiver Intern - Los Angeles, CA

TITLE: Kitten Caregiver Intern

REPORTS TO: NKLA Caregiver Lead / NKLA TII Caregiver

LOCATION: NKLA Pet Adoption Center (1845 Pontius Ave., LA, CA 90025)

PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Kitten Caregiver Intern is responsible for assisting with animal care and volunteer coordination at the NKLA Pet Adoption Center. Our nursery at the Best Friends Lifesaving Center (located in Mission Hills) saves an average of 3,000 kittens a season. Once graduated from the nursery in Mission Hills, selected kittens are transported to the NKLA Pet Adoption Center to receive care in anticipation of on-site adoption. Interns should be prepared to join a fast-paced environment and finish the internship having gained broad experience in shelter animal care, medical care, and animal welfare. Part time and full-time interns may apply. This internship is offered for academic credit. You must be a participant in an accredited academic internship program. This is an unpaid internship and housing is not provided. Start date is flexible.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Under supervision, facilitate the daily feeding, cleaning, medical care, and enrichment of kittens in Kitty City (the primary living area for kittens at the NKLA center) in accordance to Standard Operating Procedures. Reports any medical or behavioral concerns to the Animal Caregiving staff. • Administers medications and provides treatment, including care for critical patients. This may include assisting in physical examinations, administering injections, oral medications, fluid therapy, syringe feeding, and tube feeding. • Keeps animal records current, including intake paperwork, feeding charts and medical logs. • Assists in managing inventory of all Kitty City supplies, ensuring all necessary supplies are stocked and available at all times. • Expedites proper contamination and sanitation protocols in all areas of Kitty City as directed. • Collaborate with staff and veterinarians to determine proper treatment of sick or injured kittens in Kitty City. • Maintains daily communication with and oversight of volunteers dedicated to Kitty City. Assists staff with training new volunteers. • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: • After a short training period, demonstrates ability to care for kittens and follow contamination and sanitation protocols. • Demonstrates approachability when dealing with volunteers and staff. • Demonstrates ability to create and encourage a positive environment. • Strong interpersonal skills, i.e. ability to develop positive relationships with others and demonstrate sensitivity to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of others. • Demonstrates personal accountability to ensure that all responsibilities are completed effectively and in a timely manner. • Accurate, appropriate, clear, and concise written and verbal communication skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: • Must be able to routinely lift up to 40 pounds. • Ability to stand for long periods of time while performing assignments; requiring concentration and manual dexterity. • Must be able to perform strenuous physical activity on a daily basis, including but not limited to walking, bending, lifting, carrying, twisting, reaching, stooping and squatting. • Ability to effectively and safely handle cats and kittens and spend extensive periods of time with those animals in close quarters.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: To be considered for this position you must be currently enrolled in a college/university internship program.

CREDIT: College credit toward related major, minor or general electives.

START DATE: On or near the first day of the semester, negotiable. END DATE: On or near the last day of the semester, negotiable.

HOURS PER WEEK: To be determined, dependent upon total number of hours required to complete internship. Preferably 10-15 hours per week primarily focused in the hours between 8:00am – 12:00pm.

TO APPLY: Please email your cover letter and resume to LAinternships@bestfriends.org or use link provided to submit online application.