Foster Program Internship
Qualification Requirements
● College student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in any field and seeking class credit or intern experience
○ Ideal focuses: Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Animal Welfare and Behavior, Education, Social Work, Communication, Public Relations, and Business Administration
● Desire to learn more about the animal shelter environment and animal welfare in West Michigan
● Ability to utilize Microsoft Office Suite and Google Product Suite
● Strong attention to detail
● Highly organized and efficient
● Excellent professional customer service and communication skills
● Excellent time management and prioritization skills
● Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Internship Responsibilities
● Assembly of foster kits for different animals going to foster care and based on daily care needs
● Organization of foster kit assembly station to keep items in order for efficient assembly and tracking of supplies
● Maintenance of food bin organization and quantity tracking
● Organization and tracking of supplies returned by foster families
● Putting together supply refill request items for current fosters pick up
● Maintaining inventory of printed foster supply materials, such as; HSWM foster contracts, informational animal care handouts, animal weight logs, etc.
● Basic cleaning tasks such as; washing dishes, washing and folding laundry, taking out trash, sweeping and mopping
● Assisting in the cleaning and maintenance of kennels in the foster room, such as; wiping down and sterilizing kennel surfaces, replacing food/water bowls, emptying litter boxes, etc.
● Assisting with new animal intakes
● Assisting with the scheduling of vaccination scheduling
● Working with the Foster Coordinator and Foster Veterinarian Technician to socialize shy cats and/or kittens
● Scanning and inputting foster program related documents into ShelterLuv
● Writing animal biographies and adding or updating foster animal photos in ShelterLuv
● Researching different organizations foster program’s policies and procedures to determine areas of improvement and growth in HSWM’s foster program
● Assisting with the coordination of foster animal and/or supply drop offs/pick ups
● Assisting with foster program related events
● Other duties as assigned by the Foster Coordinator, Foster Veterinarian Technician, or other staff
Work Environment
HSWM Expectations of Employees
● Treat animals, staff, and volunteers humanely, with compassion, both on and off the job, and transmits these values to others
● Adhere to all state and local laws regarding personally owned animals
● Provide accurate information and courteous service to the public at all times
● Discretion with confidential information
● Adhere to HSWM Culture Commitment
Work Environment
● May be exposed to unpleasant noises, odor and animal feces
● May be exposed to bites, scratches and zoonotic diseases
Physical Demands
● Work requires lifting and carrying items & animals that weigh up to 40 pounds. Will be assisted by other staff members with items & animals weighing over 40 pounds
● Will be required to walk or stand for extended periods of time. Will frequently work in a bent position