Internship
Your help is welcomed year round!
The Primate Rescue Center relies on the hard work and dedication of interns to help ensure that our residents get the high quality care they deserve, and that our organization functions efficiently. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to observe primate behavior, interact with primates from a safe distance, and have the satisfaction of knowing you are improving the lives of apes and monkeys! Our interns must appreciate that our residents are not pets, are not used for invasive research, are not for sale or adoption, and do not benefit from exposure to the general public.
The PRC operates 365 days a year, and we offer seasonal internship sessions year round. Our website will help familiarize you with our history and mission, and give you some sense of the vital role that interns play in our day-to-day operations. We have short-term and long-term internships, so take a look to see what category best fits you as a potential intern at the Primate Rescue Center!
Short-Term Internship Program
- 12-week Program
- Seasonal Sessions
- On-Site housing available
- Limited positions available
- Introduction to animal care
- Learn from experienced caregiving staff and build your resumé
Long-Term Internship Program
- Minimum of 26-week to maximum 52 week program
- On-Site living and personal vehicle required
- Weekly stipend provided
- Full-Time/40 hours per week position; two days off per week
- May be required to work weekends and/or holidays
- Build your resumé and gain significant training and experience in animal care
Eileen Dallaire
Executive Director
Our internship program is a great way for individuals to learn about the daily operation of a primate sanctuary. You will be immersed in the routine care and management of nearly 40 primates, including various species of monkeys and apes. We are looking for very hardworking, dedicated, and focused people to join our program. Due to the nature of the species’ we work with and our commitment to the highest safety standards, interns never have any direct physical contact with any of the primates.
Short-Term Internship Program
Short-Term Internship Overview
This program is tailored to individuals interested in a 3-month introduction to non-human primate husbandry, behavior, and the daily operation of a non-profit primate sanctuary. Interns will have the opportunity to work with and train under our knowledgeable caregiving staff, gaining valuable skills for a career in animal care and/or advocacy. This program is labor intensive and is suited for hard working, dedicated, positive, self-motivated individuals who don’t mind a little dirt under their nails.
Program Goal
To encourage careers in animal care, advocacy, rehabilitation, and conservation.
Program Description
The PRC Short Term Internship Program is designed to immerse students, recent graduates, and those who are seriously interested in pursuing careers in animal care and/or advocacy in the daily operation of a non-profit primate sanctuary. Our program provides a unique opportunity to participate in the routine care and ongoing rehabilitation of nearly 40 non-human primates in an environment that is focused entirely on their enrichment and well-being. PRC residents are never exploited for any reason, including exhibition, and are afforded lifetime care in a protected and secure environment. PRC interns play a vital role in helping us keep our promise of lifetime care to the residents.
Interns assist with the daily care of our residents, along with administrative tasks, fundraising, and special tasks. Duties include, but are not limited to, food preparation and sorting, cleaning of ape, monkey, non-primate resident, and human areas, and creating enrichment items for primates. Interns can expect to gain significant animal husbandry experience and learn about primate behavior, stress responses, and the rehabilitation process. They will also gain a greater understanding of the issues facing primates and other animals in the modern world. The working environment is intimate and dynamic, and we encourage interns to be motivated, innovative, and ask questions. Interns will have numerous opportunities to observe the animals and get to know them as individuals. However, interns will never have physical interaction with any of our non-human primate residents. Attempts to do so are grounds for immediate dismissal.
Program Qualifications
All sessions are competitive and have limited spots. Coursework in primatology, biology, animal behavior, or psychology is preferred but not required. Applicants must be currently enrolled students, recently graduated students, or currently pursuing careers or internships in animal care. A general understanding, interest, and concern for primate well-being is required. This program is labor intensive, so interns must be in good physical condition and be able to lift 50 pounds. Proof of negative TB test is required. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and may be from across the U.S. and abroad.
Program Term
Interns are required to complete a minimum of:
Full-time: 480 working hours (40hrs/week for 3 months) if you need on-site housing OR
Part-Time: 240 working hours (20hrs/week for 3 months) if you do not need on-site housing.
Intern shifts fall between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm, Monday – Sunday. Interns may be asked to participate in afterhours fundraising activities or events.
Enrollment Dates
The PRC Short Term Internship Program is segmented into seasonal sessions. These sessions may be flexible depending on individual and sanctuary schedules and needs.
- Spring: March thru May
- Application Deadline: February 1
- Summer: June thru August
- Application Deadline: May 1
- Fall: September thru November
- Application Deadline: August 1
- Winter: December thru February
- Application Deadline: November 1
Housing – A fully-furnished, comfortable, studio-style apartment is available at the sanctuary, and interns are strongly encouraged to stay on-site. This apartment can accommodate up to two same-gender individuals. Pets are not allowed. On-site laundry machines are available, but you must provide your own laundry supplies. Cellular service is fairly reliable at the sanctuary depending on your cellular provider.
Housing Fee – For interns living on-site, a fee is required to cover the cost of rent, utilities, local phone service, internet, and television. Interns are responsible for their own food, toiletries, laundry supplies, and long-distance call expenses. All fees are non-refundable and are due in-full two weeks prior to your start date. All housing expenses paid will be received as a tax-deductible donation to the sanctuary.
Fees for Interns Requiring Housing: $100/week, totaling $1200 for the 3-month session
*Payments made using a debit or credit card will incur a 3% processing fee
*A Director’s Scholarship may be available for those interns requiring financial assistance. To apply, please include with your application a two-page paper describing the reasons we should consider you for this scholarship.
Transportation – The sanctuary is located in a rural area requiring transportation to all stores and retail areas. We are approximately 15 miles from the city of Lexington and about 5 miles from the nearest convenience store. Although a personal vehicle is not required for interns living on-site, it is strongly encouraged if available. Interns without their own transportation can catch a ride into town once or twice a week during our produce runs.
Join The Fun
Long-Term Internship Program
Long-Term Internship Program Overview
This program is tailored to individuals interested in gaining significant training and experience in non-human primate husbandry, behavior, and the daily operation of a non-profit primate sanctuary. Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with and train under our knowledgeable caregiving staff to gain valuable skills that will build their resume and prepare them for a promising career in primate care. This program is labor intensive and is suited for hard working, dedicated, positive, self-motivated individuals who don’t mind a little dirt under their nails.
Program Goal
To provide intensive training, experience, and exposure to primate husbandry in a non-profit sanctuary setting.
Program Description
The PRC Long-Term Internship Program is designed to immerse recent graduates and those seriously interested in pursuing a career in animal care in the daily operation of a non-profit primate sanctuary. Our program provides a unique opportunity to participate in the routine care and ongoing rehabilitation of nearly 40 non-human primates in an environment that is focused entirely on their enrichment and well-being. PRC residents are never exploited for any reason, including exhibition, and are afforded lifetime care in a protected and secure environment. PRC interns play a vital role in helping us keep our promise of lifetime care to the residents.
Interns assist with the daily care of our residents, along with administrative tasks, fundraising, and other special tasks. Duties include, but are not limited to, food preparation and sorting, cleaning of ape, monkey, non-primate resident, and human areas, and creating enrichment items for primates. Interns can expect to gain significant animal husbandry experience and learn about primate behavior, stress responses, and the rehabilitation process. They will also gain a greater understanding of the issues facing primates and other animals in the modern world. The working environment is intimate and dynamic, and we encourage interns to be motivated, innovative and ask questions. Interns will have numerous opportunities to observe the animals and get to know them as individuals. However, interns will never have physical interaction with any of our non-human primate residents. Attempts to do so are grounds for immediate dismissal.
Program Qualifications
This program is only open to one qualified individual at a time, so it is extremely competitive. Coursework in primatology, biology, animal behavior, or psychology is preferred but not required. Applicants must be recently graduated students or individuals currently pursuing careers or internships in primate care. A general understanding, interest, and concern for primate well-being is required. This program is labor intensive, so interns must be in good physical condition and be able to lift 50 pounds. Proof of negative TB test is required. Applicants must commit to work a minimum of 6 consecutive months, live on-site in sanctuary housing, and have a personal vehicle available for transportation. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and may be from across the U.S. and abroad.
Program Term & Work Schedule
Interns are required to complete a minimum of 26 consecutive weeks working full-time, 40 hours per week. Interns will have two days off per week. Shifts fall between the hours of 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Sunday. Interns may be required to work holidays and weekends, and participate in after-hours fundraising activities or events.
Enrollment Dates
The PRC Long Term Internship Program is open until we find the right person.
Housing – This internship opportunity provides free housing, utilities, local phone service, television, and internet services. A fully-furnished, comfortable, studio-style apartment is available at the sanctuary. The apartment can accommodate up to two same-gender individuals. As a long-term intern, you may or may not be sharing this apartment during the various short-term internship seasonal sessions throughout the year with other same-gender interns. Pets are not allowed. On-site laundry machines are available, but interns are responsible for providing their own laundry supplies. Interns are responsible for their own food, toiletries, and long-distance call expenses. Cellular service is fairly reliable at the sanctuary depending on your cellular provider.
Transportation – The sanctuary is located in a rural area requiring transportation to all stores and retail areas. We are approximately 15 miles from the city of Lexington and about 5 miles from the nearest convenience store. A personal vehicle is required for transportation.
Stipend – The PRC will provide a weekly stipend of $50. This stipend will be paid weekly through a Venmo account. You must set up an account and provide us with the email address associated with the account in order to receive your stipend.
Our interns have been hard at work!
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