About the role#
The Kitten Nursery Medical Intern supports the Veterinary team by providing direct care for neonatal kittens. This role offers hands-on experience in a shelter medical environment, focusing on the daily needs of vulnerable animals. You will work under the direction of the Medical team to ensure kittens receive consistent care, monitoring, and documentation. This is an unpaid internship.
What you'll do#
- Provide hands-on care for kittens, including feeding, cleaning, and monitoring.
- Maintain a clean and sanitary environment in the Kitten Nursery.
- Enter accurate information regarding kitten care into ShelterBuddy and other databases.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with Medical team members.
- Use compassionate handling techniques to support stress and disease reduction.
- Assist with training or working alongside volunteers.
- Follow all safety guidelines, sanitation procedures, and organizational policies.
What you'll need#
- A commitment to the mission of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
- Genuine interest in animal welfare, shelter medicine, or neonatal kitten care.
- Ability to work in an environment that can be busy or stressful.
- Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Attention to detail and the ability to input data accurately.
- Basic math skills and a willingness to learn.
- Ability to follow instructions and ask questions when needed.
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.
- Dependability and a compassionate attitude.
Location & details#
- Location: Des Moines, Iowa.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Rolling.
- Schedule: Varies based on nursery needs and intern availability.
About Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa operates as a nonprofit animal shelter based in Des Moines. Founded in 1926, it serves as the largest organization of its kind in the state. The group provides care for thousands of animals each year. Its programs include pet adoption, behavior training, and spay or neuter services.
How to get in at Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
Applying early to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa gives you a distinct advantage before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first and get seen before the pile grows. Reaching out to the right people often yields better results than submitting an application into a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral, which materially improves response rates.



