Jungle Friends runs on the energy and dedication of very special people whose commitment to the health and happiness of our monkey residents unites them for a common cause. If you have a love for animals and you aren't afraid of hard work, please take a look at our internship opportunities.
You do not need to have experience working with primates, although it helps. You simply need a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of these special creatures who are living out their lives in captivity, entirely dependent on humans for their every need.
We accept internship applications throughout the year. Opportunities may vary through the year, but we do our best to keep the list below limited only to positions that are currently open. If you have questions, please Contact Us.
This is a one-year advanced internship. Successful completion of a 4-month Jungle Friends entry-level internship is a prerequisite for apprentice applicants. (In the case of applicants who have equivalent experience caring for new world monkeys in a sanctuary setting, this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Board.)
This is a one-year advanced internship. Successful completion of a 4-month Jungle Friends entry-level internship is a prerequisite for apprentice applicants. (In the case of applicants who have equivalent experience caring for new world monkeys in a sanctuary setting, this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Board.) The apprentice caregiver is expected to learn and be able to take a team leader role in sanctuary operations. The apprentice should be proactive in assuring that all necessary tasks are completed. The job includes general husbandry caring for over 300 New World monkeys:
Apprentices receive room and board and a $500/month stipend. How To Apply If you have already completed a Jungle Friends internship, contact applicant@junglefriends.org to apply for the apprenticeship.
Because we have more than 300 monkey residents, and are expecting to double in size over the next year, we always need multiple caregivers and internships are almost always available.
The caregiver's work includes
You will participate in meal preparation and clean-up for communal meals, and are expected to keep your own quarters and shared living areas clean and neat.
How To Apply
After completing a 4-month internship, you may apply for a 1-year apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are limited and awarded at the discretion of the Executive Director. Completion of an entry-level internship does not guarantee that an Apprenticeship will be awarded.
Do you care about animals AND aspire to a career in social networking? We can't offer you big bucks, but we can offer an opportunity to demonstrate your talent and build the experience and successful track record you need to advance your social marketing career.
Jungle Friends is a small non-profit primate sanctuary with a national support base. We are looking for the right person to translate our mission and core values into ideas and executable plans to engage online audiences in the social media space, and produce measurable results in expanding our community and support base.
The ideal candidate would have...
In addition to the application, please include:
We Are Looking for Exceptional People
Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary is looking for dedicated, compassionate individuals for our internship, volunteer, and staff opportunities.
Applicants should have strong communication skills, work well as part of a team, follow directions, and maintain a positive attitude even in challenging situations. Being dependable, adaptable, down-to-earth, and having a good sense of humor are all important qualities.
Previous experience working with primates is not required. However, you must have respect for the monkeys and understand that they are wild animals who can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Safety protocols must always be followed.
Working at Jungle Friends is not just a job—it is a commitment to providing the highest quality lifelong care to rescued monkeys. The monkeys depend on us every day, regardless of weekends, holidays, weather conditions, or personal plans. Their well-being always comes first.
Jungle Friends is managed by Founder and Executive Director Kari Bagnall, who lives on-site. Interns and staff become part of a close-knit sanctuary community dedicated to providing exceptional care for rescued monkeys from the pet trade, research laboratories, entertainment, roadside zoos, and confiscation cases.
The number one rule at Jungle Friends is simple:
The well-being of the monkeys always comes first.
Trial Visits and Commitment
We ask internship applicants to visit Jungle Friends and stay on-site for a trial period so that both the applicant and the sanctuary can determine whether the placement is a good fit.
If a trial visit is not possible, exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis by Kari Bagnall, Founder and Executive Director.
Internship applicants must be able to commit to a minimum of 10 weeks. Longer commitments are strongly encouraged and provide a more meaningful experience for both the intern and the monkeys.
Things to Consider Before You Apply
Vegan Campus
Jungle Friends is a vegan organization. No meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, eggs, or other animal products may be consumed, cooked, stored, or used on sanctuary property.
Our mission is rooted in compassion for all animals, and we ask everyone who lives and works here to respect that commitment while on-site.
Drug-Free and Smoke-Free Environment
For the safety of our monkeys, staff, volunteers, and facilities, smoking, vaping, recreational drug use, and the use of illegal substances are strictly prohibited and will be grounds for immediate dismissal.
Physical Demands
Working at a primate sanctuary can be physically demanding. Applicants should be prepared to:
Emotional Commitment
Sanctuary work is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be emotionally challenging. Many of our residents come from difficult backgrounds involving neglect, abuse, research, or isolation.
Applicants should be prepared to work hard, remain professional, support fellow team members, and always put the needs of the monkeys first.
Internship Costs
There is an internship fee of $100 per week, payable in advance. For internships lasting longer than four months, the fee is reduced to $75 per week after the first four months.
Following the trial period, the internship fee must be paid in full to reserve your internship dates.
Limited scholarships may be available in cases of demonstrated financial hardship.
Housing and Amenities
Interns are provided housing on-site at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary. Accommodations consist of a shared mobile home located on sanctuary property. Each intern is provided with a private bedroom and private bathroom, while the kitchen, dining room, living area, and laundry facilities are shared with other interns and staff members residing on-site.
Wireless internet is provided.
Living on-site offers a unique opportunity to become immersed in sanctuary life and become part of a close-knit community dedicated to providing exceptional care for rescued monkeys.
Interns are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own food and personal supplies and must comply with Jungle Friends’ vegan campus policy while on sanctuary property.
Interns are expected to help maintain clean, respectful, and cooperative living spaces.
A refundable $200 cleaning and damage deposit is required upon arrival.
Application Procedure
The application packet includes the application form, reference form, and instructions regarding additional materials that must be submitted.
If you are unable to download any of the required forms, please email applicant@junglefriends.org and we will be happy to send them to you.
To apply, please submit:
Please email all application materials to:
applicant@junglefriends.org
Once we have received your completed application packet, we will contact qualified applicants to schedule a telephone or Zoom interview.
We appreciate your interest in joining the Jungle Friends family and helping provide a lifetime of care for rescued monkeys.
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