Internships

Internships with Kildare Wildlife Rescue

Internships with Kildare Wildlife Rescue are intensive volunteering opportunities as part of a positive and experienced team in a busy environment caring for a wide variety of native Irish species. We are located in Kildare Town on the grounds of Village Vets Greyabbey which means we are in the unique position that we have access to 24hr veterinary care for our patients.

About internships

KWR offers a comprehensive support package to interns to ensure that each intern gets the most out of their experience:

Online training prior to beginning of internship Induction Scheduled learning modules Veterinary shadowing (Vet students) Lunch and learns and Workshops (seasonally) Weekly progression meetings with Intern Coordinator

Points to note

Interns will work 35 hrs per week on rotating 8 hour shifts over 7 days a week.
Interns must be over 18 years of age
Internships are unpaid
We cannot provide accommodation (We do work with a number of local host families)
You do not need a third party agency to avail of an internship opportunity with KWR
Clinical placements are limited

Contact the volunteer co-ordinator

Daily Life

Our busiest time is orphan season which runs from April to September. During this time we operate from 8 am until 10 pm. Outside this season, we are open from 8 am until 8 pm. Morning rounds consist of wellness checks on all patients, followed by morning meds and feeds. The day involves continuous feeding, cleaning, veterinary rounds, and new admissions. Lunchtime is a great opportunity to catch up with the team and discuss various topics before the afternoon rounds begin.

What our interns say

Guilherme Godinho, Portugal

My name is Guilherme Godinho, I’m from Lisbon, Portugal and I’m in my final year of Veterinary Medicine. I’ve started my internship at KWR in October of 2023, and it lasted until January of 2024. It has been one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had, I feel very lucky for the opportunity to meet such an amazing team that welcomed me with open arms, and I’ll carry them in my heart for the rest of my life.

I’ve had the opportunity to learn so much during my time here and to become more confident handling animals. I’ve also had the chance to evolve as a future vet and to practice along side the amazing vet team at GreyAbbey Vets.

I wouldn’t exchange my experience at KWR for anything and I leave Ireland with the feeling of belonging to this project and I’ll miss every single person and moment I’ve experienced here.

Valerie Plackova, Czech

My experience at Kildare Wildlife Rescue Centre was incredibly rewarding and educational. The team was supportive, and the hands-on work with wildlife gave me invaluable skills for my veterinary studies. The guidance from the Volunteer Coordinator and the well-organised training modules made the experience even more enriching. I highly recommend this placement to anyone passionate about wildlife care and looking to gain practical experience in a nurturing environment.

Lindsay Stumer, USA

I really enjoyed interning at Kildare Wildlife Rescue. I got to work with so many different species of animals I wouldn't have otherwise, like bats, otters, and birds of prey. I also learned so many new skills like triage and tube feeding. Not only was the work I was doing so enjoyable, but the people were so nice and welcoming. Kildare Wildlife Rescue was not just a place of work, but a home.

Emma Kelly, Biological and Biomedical Sciences- Zoology

My experience at KWR has been really inspiring and educational. It was an amazing experience to be surrounded by so many talented and dedicated volunteers who had so much to share and were more than happy to teach you anything they could. As a zoology student, there was so much for me to learn about Irish wildlife species and so many unique opportunities to see and interact with these animals in ways that wouldn 't be possible anywhere else. I highly recommend this internship to anyone with a passion for natural sciences or conservation, it' s a once in a lifetime experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Inés Mateo Juan - Veterinary Medicine

My experience as an intern at the centre couldn't be better. On the professional side I've learned a lot, they really care and know what they're doing with wildlife and that shows every time. On a personal level, every person working at the centre is extremely welcoming and they make you feel part of the family from the beginning. It's an amazing place to learn.

Internships FAQs

No, you do not need to be studying to avail of an internship opportunity with KWR

Typically internships last 8-12 weeks, but can start from 4 weeks up to a year

Once we have agreed on an internship you will be sent a welcome brochure with all the info you will need for your stay in Ireland

Yes, you will receive a two-day induction at the start of your internship, followed by three afternoon training modules during your stay.

Interested in becoming an intern?

We’d love to hear from you. Email our volunteer coordinator to find out more.

Email our volunteer coordinator

Internships

Internships with Kildare Wildlife Rescue

About internships

Points to note

Daily Life