We believe our Intern Program is a very gratifying, special and unique experience. We consider our work here a privilege and look forward to the opportunity to share our experiences, and knowledge with those who will be walking in our footsteps in the future. Interns and students of today are the ones charged with assuring that these animals have a future. Our internship program is our way of assuring that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy these wonderful animals as much as we have.
Interns can be integral to our success as they participate in the daily work of the shelter. There are several Intern Courses an intern can take depending on the knowledge and experience they wish to achieve. Our internships are an excellent opportunity for young individuals who are considering a professional career in animal welfare, or are interested in animal sheltering, and want to take animal sheltering into the next generation with pride and confidence in their mission. Each intern is given a certification in their specific area by the SPCA at the completion of their respective course. Unlike other intern programs, no experience or college degrees are neccesary, just a sincere desire to learn and a dedication to make life better for pets and their owners.

Although there is no real age limit for being accepted into the SPCA Intern Program, it has been developed and designed to assist those from the ages of 15 to 25 who wish to get a boost for a career in an animal welfare related field such as Veterinary Technicians, Veterinarians, or even as Shelter Managers or workers in this, or another, shelter. Interning at an animal shelter can also help those who wish to enter specialized fields such as Animal Husbandry, Anthropology, Biology, etc. Too, as a young person works and learns as an Intern, they also learn lifelong qualities such as responsibility and organization, not to mention caring for others both human and animal as they see different and varying levels of suffering and abuse on one side and generosity and loving on the other.

The Staff of the SPCA is truly proud of its Intern Program and the things it can accomplish in a young person's life. Much like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or even religious young people's organizations, and the military, we teach valuable lessons that will be used by our Interns each and everyday of their lives that can help them to better their positions no matter what road they choose to follow, or career they choose to pursue.

Please browse through the information on this page to learn about the SPCA's Intern Program. Whether you are a parent looking to find something to interest a child who loves animals, or the child him or herself that is wanting a career in an animal welfare related field, our Intern Program has something to offer you.

Call the shelter at 870-453-7249 or speak to any SPCA representative anywhere you see us to see if you or someone you know qualifies for the program. We'd be happy to take the time to talk to you about it anytime.

Intern Courses
Shelter Management Course 1: Interns are trained in all aspects of shelter management. From start to finish, as we do it here at the SPCA. This means that the basic "animal warehousing" as seen in most animal shelters throughout the country simply is not enough. Interns are taught Human Services which care for pet owners as well as stray and abused dogs and cats through specialized programs designed to assist people with keeping their pets rather than relinquishing them to shelters. We at the SPCA believe this is the next generation of animal sheltering and that pet owners are equally as important as the pets they own. Shelter Manager Interns will be certified as Animal Shelter Managers at the completion of this course.

Interns will:
• complete the Animal Caretakers course;
• work all ascpects of Office Operations, Employee & Volunteer Management, Grants, Website Design and Maintenance, and Special Human and Pet Services related Projects;
• will learn Fundraising and Banking essentials;
• will learn Basic and Advanced Recordkeeping;
• will assist with internal and external marketing and promotion of animals available for adoption, including special write-ups, production and mailing of our newsletters, and communications with our media partners regarding the shelter and its programs and services;
• will assist with special events such as offsite adoption events and more;
• will provide administrative support to shelter programs teams.
  Course Length: 1 year.

Shelter Management Course 2: Interns are trained in all aspects of Shelter Management Course 1. Interns are also assisted to enroll in, and earn an Associate's Degree in Business Management through the Arkansas State University and will be certified as Animal Shelter Managers at the completion of this course.
Course Length: 2 years

Animal Carertaker: Interns are trained in all aspects of caring for the physical and mental needs of dogs and cats that the state laws do not require one to be a veterinarian to do. Upon completion of this course, these interns will be prepared to go into careers in working with any other organized animal shelters, or into advanced training for veterinary technicians, or even becoming a veterinarian themselves with a respect and appreciation for the work animal shelters do on a daily basis. We place a strong emphasis on young people going into veterinary careers with the love of animals as their main purpose for entering the field rather than simply a money career as is found all too often around the country and in our area. Interns will be certified as Animal Caretakers at the completion of this course.

Interns will:
• learn Basic training in animal health and emergency treatment;
• assist in preparing diets and food distribution;
• clean habitats for animals that reside at the shelter;
• learn General cleaning and organizing activities involved with feeding and general care for the animals;
• assist with habitat building, learning about safety and caging requirements;
• assist in general grounds maintenance and habitat landscaping;
• assist in general animal enrichment activities thereby learning how to ensure a better quality of life for all animals residing at the shelter;
• assist in administering medications and animal transport as the need arises;
• provide daily, weekly, and monthly preventative care to dogs and cats at the facility;
• assist in general administrative duties related to animal care and shelter procedures and other duties as assigned;
• assist the public in the adoption process and with lost and found pets;
  Course Length: 3 months (This program is excellent as a summer project for teenagers)

Internship Objectives:

• Gain hands-on animal care experience at a next generation animal welfare and rescue facility by providing support to shelter staff.
• Learning to work with others as you work with volunteers and regular shelter staff. Actively participating in every aspect of our operation relevant to your chosen Intern Course.
• Learning responsibility, maturity, and a respect for yourself, co-workers & other people, and all animals, as well as a basic business sense needed to become or advance to management levels in whatever career you may choose for your life.
Internship Job Description:
• Interns will be working full-time, 5 days a week
• All interns will undergo training on safety procedures, crisis management, and the rules of the road involving the care of potentially dangerous animals.
• You will be exposed to significant levels of heat and humidity during the summer months, ice and cold during the winter months, and dust, wind and rain pretty much year round. Appropriate dress is required!
• Initially, the intern will be under the Direct Supervision of a staff member. This supervision may relax as our confidence in you grows and you become familiar with our procedures and routine.
• After orientation, interns will be required to abide by and follow all rules, policies, and procedures of the SPCA in accordance with our SOP.
• Non-compliance with the shelter's rules and procedures will result in immediate program termination.
  DIRECT SUPERVISION is defined as in the "physical presence of a staff member".
Internship Guidelines:
• Minimum age is 15. (High School Students may enroll for summer courses with parent's permission)
• Internships are non-stipend and non-salaried.
• Intern Parking is provided.
• Students should be able to work a flexible schedule.
• Hepatitis B, and tetanus vaccinations are recommended.
• Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• Spanish Speaking Interns are encouraged, however, for safety issues, all Interns must be able to speak, read and understand English.
• Absolutely no non-prescription (illegal) drugs or alcohol are permitted at the facility.
• For safety reasons, no pets, other than shelter animals, are allowed to stay at the facility or in Intern housing.
• Because of the number of animals that come through the shelter that truly break your heart, Interns are not allowed to adopt while enrolled in any course.
Internship Accommodations:
• Male Interns may be housed at the Opportunity Inc Complex when space is available. otherwise:
• Intern lodging may be available through several of our gracious volunteers who open up their homes to provide a place for students to stay during their internship. In many cases, Internet access, phone, Laundry and cable TV may also be available.
• Interns must be comfortable with spending quiet evenings in their own company depending on where they are staying and the personal schedules and obligations of their hosts.
• We try to maintain a relaxed, family like atmosphere. We normally provide lunch when we are working. These meals are home-cooked. We request your assistance in helping us prepare and clean up after meals. We will try, when we can, to accommodate special diets, or vegetarian meals with some advanced notice.
• For those without vehicles, we will provide transportation to shopping several days a week for personal items as we pick up animal supplies.
• We provide all materials, curriculum and training in all areas of shelter operations.
• We provide the opportunity to socialize with volunteers and staff during cook-outs or gatherings as they occur (This happens frequently when it is warm outside).
An experience you will never forget, and a lifelong friendship with some real special dogs and cats.

Because of the numbers and temperaments of the animals in our care, we must insist No Personal Pets Allowed.

Interns living either at the Opportunity Inc Complex or in a Volunteer Home, are required to respect the facility, people, pets and other animals, and living accomodations provided to them. Any disrepect, theft of property, acts of violence, or other un-appropirate behavior can result in you being dismissed from the program immediately and possibly prosecuted.

Costs & Living Expenses Being a nonprofit organization, our resources are limited. To support our internship program without taking away from our animal care program we must ask interns to make contributions to cover utilities and materials. Interns are responsible for their own transportation and food expenses, laundry and long distance calls. All fees are non-refundable and are due at the beginning of each month.
Fee for Interns: $100/month.
This includes rent, utilities, local phone service and access to computers and the Internet, uniforms, and other provisions made by the shelter. 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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Our program focuses on the importance of proper management of abused, neglected, and abandoned pets and the rehabilitation of these animals to be reintroduced into a family environment..

This program does not include mandatory DIRECT CONTACT with potentially dangerous animals residing at our facility! You will not be required to handle any animal you do not feel comfortable with.
DIRECT CONTACT is defined as any physical contact with any animal, including contact through cage wire (reaching of limbs through fences or cages), etc.

Safety of the animals, management, staff, interns and volunteers always comes first at our facility.
PLEASE NOTE: If an animal bites or scratches you, it immediately places the welfare (life) of the animal and our entire facility at risk, so this is no laughing matter and the above rules should be taken seriously.
The SPCA Intern Program works in accordance with Child Labor Laws effective in the state of Arkansas.

Application Procedure:


The SPCA Intern Program is not a means for unproductive or young people who have no purpose or drive in life other than just to kill some time. Nor are we a babysitting service for parents who are looking for a way to get the kids out from under foot for the summer... This is a serious program designed to help those who want personal experience and a pre-education in animal welfare to continue in their life pursuit in an animal related field. As it costs us a lot of money and time to train a person in any of the courses above, Only serious minded young people and those with an education sufficient to go on to a professional career in animal welfare related fields will be accepted into the Intern Program. 1. Fill out our Internship Application and send it to us, download the application below. Remember to Write Legibly. Spelling, Grammar, and the ability to answer all questions asked on the application will be a factor in you being accepted into the Intern Program.
2. We will contact you to arrange a time for you to come see and talk with us. This visit is your chance to meet us and ask any questions you might have. It is also our chance to meet you and show you what we do here. This meeting is mandatory. This is an interview... Missing it will result in an unfavorable decision to accept you into the Intern Program.
3. After this meeting we will contact you within a week or so regarding your acceptance as an intern and begin finalizing housing arrangements, starting date and other details.

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[ Download an Intern Application (pdf file) ]

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Program Needs :

• The SPCA Intern Program is in need of foster families interested in allowing an intern to live with them in the manner of an exchange student. Interns needing this assistance will primarily be female. Monthly Fees to cover the intern's costs of living will be given to the fostering families.
• The monthly fees of $100 per month from each intern of course, does not even begin to truly cover the cost of their stay. Donations are needed to assist in providing for the costs of training, food, travel, etc.
To Donate to the SPCA Intern Program, CLICK HERE.
What would my donation to this program buy?

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed individuals can change the world....
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Meade