- Veterinary Internship (2026-2027)
- Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship (16 weeks)
- Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship (12 weeks)
- Volunteer Wildlife Rescue Internship (16 weeks) (Applications Closed)
- Volunteer Wildlife Hotline and Education Internship (16 weeks) (Applications Closed)
- Volunteer Veterinary Technician Internship (Applications Closed)
Veterinary Internship (2026-2027)
Work Status: 1 year contract
Location: Toronto Wildlife Centre – Downsview Park (4-60 Carl Hall Rd., Toronto) with plans to move within the year to the Rouge Park (6461 Steeles Ave. E., Toronto)
Reports to: Toronto Wildlife Centre Head Veterinarian
Salary: $40,900 per annum
Position Summary:
This one-year veterinary internship, commencing July 6th, 2026, provides exposure and training in the different aspects of wildlife medicine in a large urban rehabilitation centre.
Under the direction of TWC Staff Veterinarians, the intern will participate in all aspects of wildlife medicine. This program also provides a unique opportunity to conduct a small clinical research project or a retrospective investigation pertaining to Canadian wildlife species.
Background:
Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) is a registered charity that provides medical care and rehabilitation to sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife. TWC is the busiest wildlife centre in Canada, admitting over 6,000 patients annually, with more than 270 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians represented. TWC’s veterinary team consists of one full-time and three part-time wildlife veterinarians, volunteer veterinary specialists, and four registered veterinary technicians who work closely with the rehabilitation, rescue and release departments to provide care to the animals at the centre. The veterinary hospital includes digital radiography, an in-house laboratory, an intensive care unit and a full surgical suite. Animals are treated at our primary location, and rehabilitation for some animals continues at the Rouge Park property in large outdoor enclosures.
Responsibilities:
- The intern will be incorporated into daily general medicine and surgery, anesthesia, emergency care, preventive health programs, nutrition, and pathology.
- As the internship progresses, the intern will increasingly be given primary case responsibilities.
- The intern will actively participate in veterinary rounds and other learning opportunities (e.g., journal club).
- The intern will participate in off-site large animal rescues (e.g. deer) on rare occasions.
- The intern will communicate with staff and volunteers.
- The intern will assist in the training of senior veterinary students.
- The intern will be given the required time to conduct a research project and produce at least one manuscript that could be submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Position Requirements:
- Must possess a DVM (or equivalent) degree.
- Must have passed the NAVLE and be eligible for a General License to practice veterinary medicine in the Province of Ontario.
- Must have a minimum of one year of post-graduate clinical experience (internship or clinical practice)
- Must possess a full Class “G” driver’s license along with a good driving record.
- Access to a vehicle is essential as the Rouge Park location is NOT accessible by public transit.
- Must demonstrate interest in wildlife medicine; previous wildlife experience is desirable.
Competencies:
- Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and organizational skills.
- Must be able to work with minimum supervision.
- Must be able to work closely as part of a team (in cooperation with animal care and other staff)
- Must be able to make effective animal healthcare decisions while working under
stressful situations. - Must be flexible and adaptable to a changing and dynamic work environment.
- Must have a strong work ethic and desire to learn.
- Must demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and proven
ability to work effectively with a diverse population. - Must be able and willing to work shifts, weekends, and holidays.
- Must be able to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to lift a minimum of 25 kilos and the ability to stand, sit, walk, stoop, crouch, kneel and twist on a regular basis.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary $40,900 annually
- Two weeks of paid vacation time per year
- 40 hours of paid professional development time per year
- Ontario CVO licensing covered by TWC
TO APPLY: This internship is offered through the Veterinary Internship Residency Matching Program (VIRMP). We would like to thank you for your interest in this position.
Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship (16 weeks)
A wildlife rehabilitation internship can open many doors! Whether you are hoping to work in the field of conservation, biology, or in veterinary medicine, this internship will provide excellent hands-on experience. Working with wildlife is a great asset on any resume and is one of the most rewarding experiences.
During our 16 week internship our wildlife interns are immersed in all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation. This unique opportunity is for those people that can’t get enough of wildlife and want to experience all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation! Our wildlife interns help in countless ways – from assisting our adult animal care team members, which includes caring for our reptile patients, to helping with our mammal nursery, avian care and our wildlife chef. It is incredibly rewarding but can be physically and emotionally demanding. Days are filled working on your feet, with lots of walking, bending and lifting, all while caring for injured and orphaned animals. The internship includes working on some evenings, weekends, and holidays so that we can provide the best care possible for our wild patients. This could be a great role for people with an interest in wildlife rehabilitation as a career path.
Details
Location: Opportunities available at both Downsview Park and Rouge Park
Internship sessions: August to November 2026, start date can be flexible
Commitment:
Full-time is a minimum of 600 hours over 16 weeks (40 hours/week). Some Part-time positions are available at a minimum of 450 hours over 16 weeks (30 hours/week). Preference will be given to those who can make a full-time commitment and will be offered additional learning opportunities. Hours can be flexible to accommodate school or work.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Current tetanus vaccine (within the last 10 years)
- Rabies immunization is an asset and required to work with rabies vector species
- For Internships at our Rouge Park location, you must be able to drive/be driven as this site is NOT transit accessible
Please note that the internships are unpaid positions. TWC is committed to providing training and hands-on experience for all of our interns so that you will gain skills and knowledge during your internship.
Accountabilities:
- Ensure a positive, professional, and safe working environment at all times; with a focus on both human and animal safety
- Engaging in learning opportunities provided
- Update patient records
- Assist with training and providing some direction to new volunteers and intern
Competencies:
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team
- Motivated self-starter, with ability to prioritize
- Flexible and adaptable to changing and dynamic work environment
- Must be comfortable working long hours with a demanding workload
- Strong work ethic and desire to learn
- Excellent communication skills; must be proficient in verbal and written English
To apply: Please submit an online application HERE. You will need to submit a resume, cover letter, and references upon request. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only those we wish to consider for an interview will be contacted.
DEADLINE: June 1st
Volunteer Wildlife Rehabilitation Internship (12 weeks)
A wildlife rehabilitation internship can open many doors! Whether you are hoping to work in the field of conservation, biology, or in veterinary medicine, this internship will provide excellent hands-on experience. Working with wildlife is a great asset on any resume and is one of the most rewarding experiences.
During our 12 week internship, wildlife interns are immersed in their selected program to learn all aspects of wildlife rehabilitation in either Nursery Care, Avian Care or Wildlife Chef. This unique opportunity is incredibly rewarding but can be physically and emotionally demanding. Days are filled working on your feet, with lots of walking, bending and lifting, all while caring for injured and orphaned animals. The internship includes working on some evenings, weekends, and holidays so that we can provide the best care possible for our wild patients.
Nursery Care:
Play a vital role in raising our orphaned wildlife! As a Nursery Care Intern, you will help provide critical nutritional support, proper housing, and behavioural enrichment to prepare these young individuals for a life in the wild. Species you may work with include baby squirrels, chipmunks, opossums and Eastern cottontail rabbits. Interns who have been vaccinated against rabies will have the opportunity to work with baby raccoons and skunks as well!
Location: Available at both Downsview Park and Rouge Park
Internship sessions: Fall: August to October
Avian Care:
Interested in hands-on experience with birds? Avian Care Interns work with the migratory songbirds that come into care during their journey to their breeding grounds. You will also get hands-on experience raising orphaned Mallards, Wood ducks, Canada geese and more as they grow up into healthy young birds. You will be working closely with our advanced care team members to provide these birds with the critical care they need while being treated for a variety of injuries.
Location: Downsview Park
Internship sessions: Fall: August -October/November
Wildlife Chef:
With over 270 different species admitted to TWC, there is a wide variety of diets that need to be prepared each day. Proper nutrition is an important part of the recovery and well-being of our wild patients. As a Wildlife Chef Intern, you will be responsible for preparing nutritious meals and slurries based on the natural history of each species.
Location: Downsview Park
Internship sessions: March to October, start date can be flexible
Commitment:
Full-time is a minimum of 450 hours over 12 weeks (40 hours/week). Some part-time positions are available at a minimum of 220 hours over 12 weeks (20-30 hours/week). Preference will be given to those who can make a full-time commitment and will be offered additional learning opportunities. Hours can be flexible to accommodate school or work.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Current tetanus vaccine (within the last 10 years)
- Rabies immunization is an asset and required to work with rabies vector species
- For Internships at our Rouge Park location, you must be able to drive/be driven as this site is NOT transit accessible.
Please note that the internships are unpaid positions. TWC is committed to providing training and hands-on experience for all of our interns so that you will gain skills and knowledge during your internship.
Accountabilities:
- Ensure a positive, professional, and safe working environment at all times; with a focus on both human and animal safety
- Engaging in learning opportunities provided
- Update patient records (role dependent)
- Assist with training and providing some direction to new volunteers and interns
Competencies:
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team
- Motivated self-starter, with ability to prioritize
- Flexible and adaptable to changing and dynamic work environment
- Must be comfortable working long hours with a demanding workload
- Strong work ethic and desire to learn
- Excellent communication skills; must be proficient in verbal and written English
To apply: Please submit an online application HERE. You will need to submit a resume, cover letter, and references upon request. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only those we wish to consider for an interview will be contacted.
DEADLINE: June 1st
Volunteer Wildlife Rescue Internship (16 weeks) (Applications Closed)
Out on the frontlines, the Wildlife Rescue Team deals with the difficult and often dangerous wildlife situations that can’t be handled by members of the public. As a Wildlife Rescue intern, you will be volunteering alongside our highly trained Rescue personnel as they travel around the GTA responding to wildlife calls.
During our 16-week internship you will experience the many types of wildlife rescues, including relocation of goose and duck families, capture of sick or injured animals and the release of patients back to the wild. If you are interested in gaining hands-on experience with wildlife rescue, this unique opportunity is for you! As an intern you will learn about wildlife identification, behaviour and natural history. Emphasis will be placed on mastering safe methods of capturing, handling and transporting a variety of Ontario species. The role will include driving to rescue locations and transporting animals to and from the centre.
While the Wildlife Rescue internship is incredibly rewarding, wildlife work can be physically and emotionally demanding. Days are filled working on your feet, with lots of walking, bending and lifting. The internship includes working on some evenings, weekends, and holidays so that we can provide the best care possible for our wild patients. This could be a great role for people with an interest in wildlife rehabilitation, animal services or wildlife conservation as a career path.
Details
Location: Downsview Park
Internship sessions: May to August
Commitment:
Full-time is a minimum of 600 hours over 16 weeks (40 hours/week). Preference will be given to those who can make a full-time commitment. The schedule can be flexible to accommodate school or work.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Current tetanus vaccine (within the last 10 years)
- Preference will be given to those with a Pre-exposure Rabies vaccine with copy of current titre
- Animal Handling is an asset
- Must have a G Driver’s Licence and a clean driving record
Please note that the internships are unpaid positions. TWC is committed to providing training and hands-on experience for all of our interns so that you will gain skills and knowledge during your internship.
Accountabilities:
- Ensure a positive, professional, and safe working environment at all times; with a focus on both human and animal safety
- Engaging in learning opportunities provided
- Participates in rescues and releases as well as assists with documenting all appropriate information on situations
Competencies:
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team
- Must be comfortable working long hours with a demanding workload and being in a vehicle for long drives
- Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds and perform other strenuous activities
- This position predominantly requires working outside (throughout the GTA and occasionally beyond) in all weather and conditions, including scaling heights, overcoming obstacles, working around water and enduring potentially high-risk conditions
- Strong work ethic and desire to learn
- Excellent communication skills; must be proficient in verbal and written English
To apply: Please submit an online application HERE. You will need to submit a resume, cover letter, and references upon request. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only those we wish to consider for an interview will be contacted.
Volunteer Wildlife Hotline and Education Internship (16 weeks) (Applications Closed)
This role supports TWC’s mission of promoting peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. Interns are trained to respond to wildlife-related calls from the public, gaining experience in effective communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving while helping community members navigate wildlife concerns and emergencies.
Interns also work closely with the education team, assisting with outreach and education programs. Responsibilities include attending community events, helping present educational programs, and sharing the work of TWC with children, youth, and adults to increase understanding of and respect for wildlife in our community. This role helps interns build public speaking and presentation skills.
Additional responsibilities include assisting with the care of our ambassador animal Hotdog, the snapping turtle. Interns may also have the opportunity to help develop educational materials, as time and program needs allow.
This internship offers hands-on experience for individuals interested in wildlife rehabilitation, environmental education, and fostering positive human–wildlife relationships.
Details
Location: Downsview Park and event locations across the GTA
Internship sessions: May 3rd – August 22nd (Interns must be available May 3rd through May 16th for training).
Commitment:
Four 8-hour shifts per week. Must have flexible schedule and be available evenings, weekends and holidays as needed. Preference will be given to those who can make this commitment and they will be offered additional learning opportunities. Hours can be flexible to accommodate school or work.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- Current tetanus vaccine (within the last 10 years)
- Access to a reliable personal vehicle and the ability to transport education materials to and from outreach locations across the Greater Toronto Area (Mileage will be reimbursed)
- Preference will be given to those currently enrolled in, planning to enter, or recently graduated from a post-secondary program related to education, environment studies, conservation, wildlife or a related field.
- Strong communicator who enjoys speaking with people, is comfortable having respectful but sometimes difficult conversations, and demonstrates a strong willingness to learn in an ongoing training and mentorship-based position.
- Strong attention to detail, with the ability to accurately enter and manage information in databases, and to consistently follow organizational messaging, protocols, and advice.
- Must be able to lift and carry materials that may weigh up to 25 lbs.
- Will be required to complete and pass a Vulnerable Sector Check prior to start date
Please note that the internships are unpaid positions. TWC is committed to providing training and hands-on experience for all of our interns so that you will gain skills and knowledge during your internship.
Accountabilities:
- Ensure a positive, professional, and safe working environment at all times; with a focus on both human and animal safety
- Engaging in learning opportunities provided
- Respond to emergency calls on the wildlife hotline, providing accurate advice to callers.
- Engage with children, youth and adults at education events which may include facilitating games/workshops/activity stations, presenting or providing information.
- Develop and maintain educational materials as need arises and as time allows.
- Prepare, restock, clean and organize education materials for events and education sessions.
- Handle, clean and provide care to TWC’s wild ambassador “Hotdog” the snapping turtle, following proper safety and care procedures.
Competencies:
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively within a team
- Motivated self-starter, with ability to prioritize
- Flexible and adaptable to changing and dynamic work environment
- Strong work ethic and desire to learn
- Excellent communication skills; must be proficient in verbal and written English
To apply: Please submit an online application HERE. You will need to submit a resume, cover letter, and references upon request. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, only those we wish to consider for an interview will be contacted.
Veterinary Internship (2025-2026) (Applications Closed)
Work Status: 1 year contract
Location: Toronto Wildlife Centre – Downsview Park (4-60 Carl Hall Rd., Toronto) with plans to move within the year to the Rouge Park (6461 Steeles Ave. E., Toronto)
Reports to: Toronto Wildlife Centre Head Veterinarian
Salary: $40,000 per annum
Position Summary:
This one-year veterinary internship, commencing July 7th, 2025, provides exposure and training in the different aspects of wildlife medicine in a large urban rehabilitation centre.
Under the direction of TWC Staff Veterinarians, the intern will participate in all aspects of wildlife medicine. This program also provides a unique opportunity to conduct a small clinical research project or a retrospective investigation pertaining to Canadian wildlife species.
Background:
Toronto Wildlife Centre (TWC) is a registered charity that provides medical care and rehabilitation to sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife. TWC is the busiest wildlife centre in Canada, admitting over 6,000 patients annually, with more than 270 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians represented. TWC’s veterinary team consists of one full-time and three part-time wildlife veterinarians, volunteer veterinary specialists, and four registered veterinary technicians who work closely with the rehabilitation, rescue, and release departments to provide care to the animals at the centre. The veterinary hospital includes digital radiography, an in-house laboratory, an intensive care unit, and a full surgical suite. Animals are treated at our primary location, and rehabilitation for some animals continues at the Rouge Park property in large outdoor enclosures.
Responsibilities:
- The intern will be incorporated into daily general medicine and surgery, anesthesia, emergency care, preventive health programs, nutrition, and pathology.
- As the internship progresses, the intern will increasingly be given primary case responsibilities.
- The intern will actively participate in veterinary rounds and other learning opportunities (e.g., journal club).
- The intern will participate in off-site large animal rescues (e.g. deer) on rare occasions.
- The intern will communicate with staff and volunteers.
- The intern will assist in the training of senior veterinary students.
- The intern will be given the required time to conduct a research project and produce at least one manuscript that could be submitted to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Position Requirements:
- Must possess a DVM (or equivalent) degree.
- Must have passed the NAVLE and be eligible for a General License to practice veterinary medicine in the Province of Ontario.
- Must have a minimum of one year of post-graduate clinical experience (internship or clinical practice).
- Must possess a full Class “G” driver’s license along with a good driving record.
- Access to a vehicle is essential as the Rouge Park location is NOT accessible by public transit.
- Must demonstrate interest in wildlife medicine; previous wildlife experience is desirable.
Competencies:
- Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and organizational skills.
- Must be able to work with minimum supervision.
- Must be able to work closely as part of a team (in cooperation with animal care and other staff).
- Must be able to make effective animal healthcare decisions while working under stressful situations.
- Must be flexible and adaptable to a changing and dynamic work environment.
- Must have a strong work ethic and desire to learn.
- Must demonstrate a commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and proven ability to work effectively with a diverse population.
- Must be able and willing to work shifts, weekends, and holidays.
- Must be able to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to lift a minimum of 25 kilos and the ability to stand, sit, walk, stoop, crouch, kneel, and twist on a regular basis.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Salary $40,000 annually
- Two weeks of paid vacation time per year
- 40 hours of paid professional development time per year
- Ontario CVO licensing covered by TWC
TO APPLY: This internship is offered through the Veterinary Internship Residency Matching Program (VIRMP). We would like to thank you for your interest in this position.
Toronto Wildlife Centre respects the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and seek to model these principles in all that we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workforce where all employees feel respected, supported and valued. We strive to create an environment that represents the rich diversity of our volunteers, guests, and our community and encourage applications from all qualified individuals who can contribute to enhancing our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Applications are especially encouraged from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and women.