Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering with IFAW’s Marine Mammal Rescue team is a rewarding experience available to full time residents of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Whether it is assisting our team rescue stranded dolphins, working a shift at our Dolphin Rescue Center, providing knowledge and educating the public about a resting seal on the beach, or collecting scientific data on deceased marine mammals, volunteers have the opportunity to get involved with all aspects of our program. Please follow the link below to learn more about our volunteer program and apply to be one of our dedicated Marine Mammal Rescue volunteers!
Marine mammal stranding internship
IFAW is an international non-profit organization. This internship is based out of our International Operations Center in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, USA. IFAW’s Marine Mammal Rescue program is a federally authorized program dedicated to marine mammal stranding response on Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts and a short-term (up to 96 hours) dolphin and porpoise rehabilitation at our Orleans, MA, Dolphin Rescue Center.
Our program strives to promote the conservation of marine mammal species and their habitat by improving the rescue and humane care of stranded marine mammals, advancing stranding science, and increasing public awareness through education. Cape Cod is a marine mammal stranding “hot spot,” with an average of over 315 strandings occurring each year. These strandings include live and dead seals, whales, porpoises, and dolphins.
Intern Session Dates:
Winter/Spring: Mid-January – End of May
*Applications open early early September
Summer: Beginning of June – End of August
*Applications open mid-January
Fall: Beginning of September – Mid-January
*Applications open mid-April
Follow the link below to learn more about our stranding internships and to submit an application when the application cycle is open.
*Please note that postings for internship announcements will only be available during periods of application acceptance prior to a session.
Stranding internship availability