Animal Husbandry

Husbandry volunteers are required to complete three, 4-hour shifts at the Sealife hospital per month from June through October. 

Animal Husbandry Volunteers are key to our patients' recovery during their stay at SR3’s Sealife hospital. While medical interventions like surgeries and treatments are flashy and certainly important, it is keeping animals clean and well fed that truly gets them back out into the wild. By becoming an Animal Husbandry volunteer, you will become a critical part of this important work here at our facility in the Des Moines marina.

Animal Husbandry Position Description

Shift schedule (7 days a week):

  • Morning = 7:00 - 11:00
  • Midday = 10:45 - 2:45
  • Afternoon = 2:30 - 6:30
  • Evening = 6:00 - 10:00

2025 Timeline

  1. We will release our Orientation Video on Monday, March 17th.

  2. If you wish to join the SR3 Volunteer Class of 2025 in any capacity, you will need to watch the video and confirm your interest through an online form by Monday, April 7th. 

  3. As our most competitive + robust program, we select our Animal Husbandry cohort first. 

  4. If you complete your Orientation tasks and select a top choice of Animal Husbandry, you will automatically be entered into the lottery. 

  5. We will announce the results of the lottery by EOD Friday, April 11th. 

  6. If you are selected for Animal Husbandry, you will then be prompted to sign up for a training session. Training will be one 4-hour session here at the facility - with options scheduled on a variety of days and times between May 10th - 21st. 

  7. Once you attend a training, you will be allowed to sign up for shifts in Husbandry Season, which formally starts on June 1st. 

  8. Complete 3 shifts per month from June → October

  9. Graduate + Advance to next level (if you wish)!

 

*If you complete all the requirements but are unfortunately not selected through the lottery - a couple of things happen:

  • First, you are put on a priority list for the following year. Historically, folks have only had to wait one year. 

  • If you are interested, you are allowed to commit to any of the other roles in the meantime; those trainings intentionally happen later in the season. 

    • *Digital Media is the exception - you will need to submit specific application materials to be considered for this role.

    • Requirements vary by role - see position descriptions for full details.