Volunteering with the RSPCA QLD

What to expect

This rewarding volunteer role would suit applicants who are passionate about Australia’s native wildlife and are committed to improving their welfare; people who wish to experience hands-on work with native animals and want to learn about the care and health requirements for future work in the industry.  This is a great opportunity for people who want to help the RSPCA rehabilitate animals and send them back to their natural habitat. You will be outside in winter and summer weather and sometimes driving in the challenging conditions Queensland can offer, but the reward is knowing you are making a difference to the quality of life of all the native animals in our care. Applicants must be over 25 years old.

What are the benefits?

• Opportunity to gain new skills and learn about our Australian wildlife
• Increased awareness of our native wildlife and the issues they face
• Native animal handling and identification skills
• Becoming part of a friendly new community

What are the tasks?

The position involves transporting wildlife patients as required and includes:

• Significant driving around the greater Brisbane/Gold Coast/Sunshine coast area, using an RSPCA vehicle.
• Collecting and transporting animals from vet clinics back to the Wacol wildlife hospital, or delivering animals to vet clinics for collection by carers.
• Releasing wildlife 
• Liaising with registered wildlife carers and delivering animals along with the relevant paperwork and medications to them.
• Educating members of the public about wildlife species when releasing them or when generally interacting with the public at the wildlife hospital.
• In between driving jobs if required, assist with sweeping and mopping floors, removing rubbish, washing animals’ water and food bowls, replacing food and water.
• Transferring animals between Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Australia Zoo and the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital
• Communication with RSPCA Wildlife Hospital Staff
• Taking bins full of soiled linen/towels/bedding to the laundry and collecting clean bedding/towels etc to take back to the hospital.
• Undertake general laundry duties as part of each shift, including loading dirty laundry into the machines, loading and/or taking clean washing out of the dryers, and folding all clean items.

What skills and characteristics do I need?

• Confidence in working with a variety of animals, including reptiles
• Willingness to learn, wildlife knowledge or experience an advantage
• A clean driver’s licence is required, and the ability to use GPS to navigate to unfamiliar places
• Be physically fit (able to lift 10kg) and comfortable in a wide variety of outdoor situations
• Attention to detail and able to accurately follow instructions
• Enjoy working in a team environment
• Able to be flexible and adaptable
• Excellent communication skills

When can I volunteer?

We currently have the below vacancies:

• Friday: 12pm-4pm or 1pm-5pm
• Saturday:4pm-8pm
• Sunday: 8am-12pm or 1pm-5pm

Please be aware that due to the nature of this role we ask you to be flexible to an extent with your shift time – it can be difficult to judge the length of a particular trip due to changeable traffic or weather conditions. We request a minimum commitment of 1 x four hour shift per week for a minimum of 3 months.  Orientation and animal training will be provided.

PLEASE NOTE: It is a requirement that before handling animals at the RSPCA you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination.

If you are ready to join the RSPCA Qld team, please click "Fill in an application" above. For further information, please contact us at volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au