Interesting Internship: Julia Tufan and the SPCA Wildlife Department

By: Madison Howard, Assistant Features Editor

If you’ve ever brought an injured animal to the SPCA, chances are it was cared for by someone like Julia Tufan. Tufan, a sophomore double major in biology and animal behavior, ecology and conservation (ABEC), works in the wildlife department at the SPCA Serving Erie County, where she helps rehabilitate injured and orphaned animals.

Julia Tufan at SPCA holding an Owl

Tufan first joined the SPCA as a summer intern and now continues her work as a volunteer, maintaining many of the same responsibilities. On a typical day, she cleans enclosures, prepares food and helps care for a wide variety of wildlife patients. “Basically, I’m a little chef,” Tufan said, “I have to cut up everybody’s food depending on who I’m feeding, even the raptors.” While daily care is a major part of her role, no two days are exactly the same, especially during the busy summer months when the department sees a surge of baby animals.

During this “baby season,” Tufan worked closely with squirrels, bunnies, possums and birds that required constant care and feeding. Some animals required specialized feeding techniques based on their age and condition, giving her hands-on experience in wildlife rehabilitation at a critical stage of their recovery. In addition to basic care, Tufan also developed medical skills such as administering fluids and medications to injured or dehydrated animals. As a pre-veterinary student, these experiences have been especially meaningful and directly connected to her career goals in veterinary medicine.

SPCA: Baby possums

One of the most rewarding parts of the internship, Tufan explained, is watching animals recover and eventually return to the wild. “It’s actually a good thing when they start to fear you,” she said, “That means they’re ready to go back to their natural environment.” However, the work can also be difficult, as many animals arrive with severe injuries caused by human-related incidents such as car accidents or encounters with domestic animals. In those cases, Tufan noted, “a lot of the time, ending their suffering is the most humane option.” 

Tufan found the internship through a course within the ABEC program that connects students with hands-on opportunities, ranking the SPCA Wildlife Department as her top choice because of her interest in wildlife medicine and long-term goal of becoming a veterinarian. Beyond technical skills, she also gained confidence in communication, particularly through answering phone calls and assisting members of the public. “It was scary at first because you never know what the call will be,” she said, “But now I feel a lot more confident.” She also reflected on how the experience changed her perspective on the community. “It kind of restored my faith in humanity,” Tufan explained, “People really care and take the time to help animals in need.”

Interning and volunteering further solidified her goal of becoming a zoo veterinarian. “I want to be a zoo vet, so working with wildlife medicine was exactly what I was looking for,” she said, noting that her time at the SCPA confirmed her passion for wildlife care and gave her valuable hands-on experience.