APA!’s paid internship program supports cultivating young leaders in animal welfare.
Animal welfare is about more than animals -- it’s about the humans who care for and love animals. Pet Pals began in 2023, led by APA!’s Director of Social Work, was designed for at-risk and vulnerable working-age youth to participate in an 8-week paid internship!
The interns, who are between 16 and 21 years old, learn the ins and outs of shelter management, and gain the necessary skills and experience to work in animal sheltering—including at Austin Pets Alive!.
Each session includes a lesson and/or training, group discussion and activity, one-on-one mentoring, lunch and refreshments, and walking and playing with animals.
In addition to developing animal caregiving skills, learning the history and forward-moving motion of animal sheltering, the interns are also offered resume building support, participate in mock interviews.
Shelters all over the United States are struggling, including Austin Animal Center and us right here at Austin Pets Alive!.
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