Project background
Over nine intensive weeks, Katie and Fiona stepped into the fast-paced world of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. From hand-rearing orphaned squirrels to assisting with medication and monitoring in the ICU, they gained hands-on experience few students encounter before graduation.
What they worked on:
Shades of Hope cares for hundreds of wild animals every year, and Katie and Fiona became an essential part of the daily operations across several departments, including the nursery, bird room, barn and ICU.
Key responsibilities included:
- Daily feeding, cleaning and welfare checks for a wide range of mammals and birds
- Preparing and administering medication and treatments under supervision
- Handling and restraint of different species, adapting methods to each animal’s needs
- Providing species-appropriate enrichment and updating enclosures as animals progressed through their rehabilitation stages
- Supporting hand-rearing of infants, including round-the-clock feeding for orphaned squirrels and other young wildlife
- Observing and assisting during veterinary triage and procedures on scheduled vet days
- Participating in animal release for individuals ready to return to the wild
They also attended weekly or bi-weekly training classes and were issued a structured internship booklet to track their competencies as they progressed.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give back to the world whilst taking in the culture and beautiful environment.
Katie Donnelly, final year, BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology
Highlights of the experience
Both students emphasised how rewarding it was to see the direct impact of their care - from stabilising injured wildlife to helping young animals grow strong enough for release.
- Nursery work proved especially meaningful, with Fiona describing the hand-rearing of baby squirrels as “the most rewarding part of the rehab.”
- Katie found joy in discovering the dietary differences among species and creating specialised food for semi-domesticated animals rescued near human environments.
- Both students valued the community spirit, noting how volunteers travelled long distances to deliver supplies, transport animals, or simply lend a hand.
Skills and knowledge gained
Working with wildlife required them to quickly master new technical skills and adapt their existing knowledge to unfamiliar species.
Technical and professional skills
- Infant nutrition and hand-rearing techniques for multiple species
- Bird-specific handling, feeding and husbandry
- Subcutaneous hydration procedures
- Administering medication safely and accurately
- Interpreting behaviour in wild rather than captive-acclimated animals
- Constructing and modifying enclosures to meet natural behavioural needs
Transferable skills
- Working effectively in a high-pressure, emotionally demanding environment
- Teamwork and communication with staff, volunteers and veterinary professionals
- Time management across demanding feeding and treatment schedules
- Developing resilience and confidence when facing physically and emotionally challenging situations
Impact and outcomes
Shades of Hope relies heavily on volunteers and interns to keep its operations running. Students played a vital role in supporting the care of hundreds of animals, contributing directly to successful releases and improved welfare outcomes.
The students learn respect and understanding of the wild species they care for, and build their independence and confidence by exploring a new country.
Going to Canada has made me consider working abroad - something I’d never have thought possible before
Fiona Davison, final year, BSc (Hons) Zoo Biology
Animal, Equine and Veterinary Sciences at NTU
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