Intern - Government Relations

Summary:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is our nation’s first humane organization and one of the largest nonprofit animal welfare organizations in the world. The ASPCA provides local and national leadership in caring for pets and pet parents, providing positive outcomes for at-risk animals, and serving victims of animal cruelty.

The ASPCA’s Government Relations (GR) Department helps to enact meaningful legal protections for animals at the state and federal levels. GR team members:

• Identify policy barriers and needs and craft legislative proposals, working with legislative leaders at the state and federal level

• Lobby for bills that strengthen animal protection and prevent cruelty and against bills hostile to animal protection;

• Work to ensure that strong regulations are issued by agencies to implement new policies;

• Provide advocacy training and support for citizens who wish to engage in policy change;

• Participate in ballot measure campaigns to advance protections when a legislative solution is unavailable.

The ASPCA seeks a dedicated, highly motivated, and passionate GR intern to, under direct supervision, become familiar with the role that the department plays in legislative and policy work and to assist with key projects that advance our goals. Based in Washington, DC, the internship will be a hybrid workplace model of in-office and work from home. The in-office work schedule will be determined by the intern’s manager or designee a week in advance, dependent upon Capitol Hill events and other office responsibilities. The intern should expect to work in the Washington, DC office a minimum of one day per week and a maximum of five days per week.

Application Deadline: We will be accepting applications until Friday October 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm ET.

Responsibilities:

Interns will be given opportunities to:

• Help to manage and mobilize ASPCA GR volunteers on key initiatives

• Aid in tracking administrative regulations and laws pertaining to animals;

• Draft outreach and media communications and supporting documents

• Conduct legislative and issue research to assist regulatory, federal and state efforts;

• Attend Capitol Hill events, such as hearings and briefings;

• Attend and/or help organize coalition meetings and local events;

• Respond to information requests from ASPCA constituents;

• Attend internal strategy and staff meetings;

• Assist with miscellaneous office tasks and projects as needed.

Internship Structure:      

The duration of each internship position is flexible and will be determined on a case-by- case basis. Generally, we are looking for:

• Early January 2026 - August 2026

• Full time, 40 hours per week preferred; 20 - 30 hours per week possible if you can commit to a regular schedule

• At the will and sole discretion of the ASPCA

Eligibility:                      

Students currently enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, veterinary, or law programs, who have an interest in pursuing a career in animal welfare, public policy, political science, law, or other relevant field. People not currently enrolled in an educational program may also be considered.

Qualifications:

• Animal welfare experience or a strong record of interest or passion for animal welfare issues preferred

• Experience in the political realm a plus

• Experience formatting, organizing and analyzing data, including sorting and filtering data with Excel or another data analysis program a plus

• Coursework in political science or public policy a plus

• A strong sense of professionalism

• Experience developing a presentation using Canva and/or PowerPoint a plus

• Writing communication around policy issues (e.g. a letter to the editor, blog post, public comment, op-ed, blurb for legislative update newsletter, etc.) preferred

• Ability to set priorities to meet deadlines effectively

• High level of organization and attention to detail

• Ability to work independently, as well as be a team player

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal

• An intense desire to improve the lives of animals

• Enthusiasm for advocacy

Compensation:

The pay rate for this seasonal intern role is $20/hour.

Pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.

Housing:

Interns are responsible for securing housing in the Washington, DC area.

Additional Information:            

All Interns will be required to sign the ASPCA Work Study/Internship Agreement before the official start date of the internship and review the ASPCA Handbook.

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Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

High School Diploma (Required)