Search
Foster Care
Become a Foster Carer with RSPCA Queensland
Foster a Life. Change a Life.
Foster carers play a vital role in the lives of vulnerable animals. By providing a temporary home, you’re giving animals the time, care, and space they need to recover, grow, or simply escape the stress of the shelter environment—until they’re ready for their forever families.
Whether it's a kitten too young for adoption, a dog recovering from surgery, or a pet escaping a crisis, you can be the difference that saves a life.
Why Foster?
-
Make a real difference—help animals get their second chance
-
Short-term commitment with life-changing impact
-
All supplies and support provided by RSPCA
-
Perfect for animal lovers who can’t adopt long-term
How to Become a Foster Carer
Getting started is easy—and you can complete the process from home!
-
Submit an application form so we can get to know you
-
Complete our short, online foster training
-
Send in photos of your property for a virtual safety check
Once approved, you’ll receive weekly foster lists and can let us know when you're available. We’ll then match you with animals who need your help.
Who Needs Foster Care?
Animals come into our care for many reasons. You may be asked to foster:
-
Puppies and kittens too young for rehoming
-
Animals recovering from illness or injury
-
Animals needing behavioural support and socialisation
-
Pets seeking safety due to domestic violence situations
-
Animals displaced by natural disasters like floods or bushfires
-
Home Ever After pets whose owners are in hospital or have passed away
📍 Foster needs vary by location.
Please check the foster regions below for current priority animals near you.
Things to Know Before You Apply
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our animals, please keep in mind:
-
Foster carers must be 18+ and have access to reliable transport
-
Landlord/body corporate approval is required if you rent
-
Existing pets must be up to date on vaccinations
-
Flexibility with the type of animal you foster increases your chances of being matched
-
Foster placements typically range from 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on the animal’s needs
Ready to Open Your Heart and Home?
Explore your local foster region below to begin your application and join a compassionate community of carers helping animals in need—one foster at a time.
Fostering Regions Available
Op Shops & Retail
Ignite Change, Shop with Purpose, and Be a Hero!
 |
 |
Looking for a fulfilling way to make a difference in the lives of animals? Our Op Shops and World For Pets stores are calling for passionate individuals like you to join our cause! By shopping, volunteering, or donating, you can become a hero for the animals we care for and support their well-being.
Volunteer Opportunities: Are you an animal enthusiast with a flair for retail, customer service, or simply want to be part of a fantastic team?
Join our Op Shop family as an Op Shop Assistant or Op Shop Driver Assistant. Make a tangible impact while gaining valuable experience and creating unforgettable moments. All of our current volunteer vacancies are linked below. Please have a look through and apply today!
Shop with Purpose: Discover amazing bargains and unique treasures while helping us raise crucial funds for over 50,000 animals we care for each year. Our Op Shops offer a wide range of clothing, homewares, accessories, and furniture. Your purchases directly support our mission of compassion.
Join the RSPCA movement today and be a catalyst for change! Click below to explore our Op Shop locations, discover volunteer opportunities, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of animals. Together, let's create a brighter future filled with love, compassion, and wagging tails.
Volunteer Positions Available
Rockhampton
Volunteer at our Rockhampton Shelter and Experience the Joy of Making a Pawsitive Difference!
At RSPCA Qld, we offer a range of volunteer roles that put you right at the heart of animal care.
From hands-on work with dogs & cats, to sorting our generous donations, to helping behind the scenes, there’s something for everyone.
These roles are rewarding - but they’re not all cuddles! Keeping animals happy and healthy means plenty of cleaning and physical work. Rain or shine, weekday or public holiday, we need dedicated volunteers every single day.
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact, check out our current vacancies and apply today!
RSPCA ROCKHAMPTON ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE OPEN TO DRIVING TO OUR GRACEMERE LOCATION.
At present, we are unable to accommodate volunteers who require the support of a support worker due to current program capacity.
Animal Care & Animal Support roles
Animal Care Assistant | Rockhampton
Join the Fun and Make a Pawsitive Difference!
Looking for a rewarding way to spend your time? Love animals and want to make a meaningful impact on their lives? Look no further! We have an exciting volunteer opportunity that's perfect for animal enthusiasts like you. Get ready for an amazing experience that will leave you with a wagging tail!
What to expect
This rewarding volunteer role would suit applicants that love animals and are committed to improving their welfare; people who wish to experience hands-on work with animals and want to learn about the care and health requirements for future work in the industry; and anyone looking for a worthwhile way to spend their time. It can be physically demanding and sometimes smelly, and you’ll be outside in winter and summer weather. You might feel emotional about the animals you’re working with and may find this difficult, but ultimately the reward is that you’re making a huge, positive difference to their lives – and yours!
What are the tasks?
The position is hands-on and includes:
🧼 Hygiene control, including appropriate sanitisation and hand‑washing, preventing cross‑contamination, and ensuring animals have food, water, bedding and toys
🏡 Assisting with keeping the Adoption Centre clean, tidy and presentable
🚶 Providing enrichment by walking animals around the campus
🎾 Playing with and spending time with animals, supporting appropriate interaction with other animals, toys and people
🧺 Undertaking general laundry duties, including loading and unloading washing machines and dryers and folding clean items
❤️ Following RSPCA philosophy of positive reinforcement in all animal interactions
What skills and characteristics do I need?
🔊 Ability to cope with increased noise levels
✅ Ability to work independently and manage tasks autonomously
🏋️ Physically fit, able to lift up to 10kg and stand for long periods
🔍 Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately follow instructions
🤝 Enjoy working as part of a team
🗣️ Excellent communication skills
🔥 Hard‑working and committed to supporting the RSPCA
When can I volunteer?
📅 Monday to Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm or 12:00pm – 4:00pm
📅 Sunday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
🎓 Orientation and training in animal interaction, training and husbandry will be provided
CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE OPEN TO DRIVING TO OUR GRACEMERE LOCATION
If you have your driver's licence and are open to traveling to our Gracemere location to our dogs there, please note this on your application!
Important Reminders:
It is a requirement that before handling animals at the RSPCA you have an up to date Tetanus vaccination.
For further information, please contact the Rockhampton Shelter/Op Shop on 07 3637 0040 or volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au, or apply via the link above.
Wildlife Responders
Love Wildlife? Here's Your Chance to Make a Real Impact!
As a Wildlife Responder, you’ll be part of a passionate network helping injured, sick, or orphaned native animals get the care they need.
This flexible volunteer role lets you assist in your local area anytime, anywhere by transporting animals to safety and supporting simple rescues. It’s a hands-on way to protect Queensland’s wildlife and connect with your community while learning valuable skills.
Ready to help us protect and care for Queensland’s wildlife? Apply today and be part of something truly wild!
At present, we are unable to accommodate volunteers who require the support of a support worker due to current program capacity.
Volunteer Positions Available
Wildlife Responder
Answer the Call of the Wild!
Passionate about Australia’s native wildlife? Join our Wildlife Rescue network and make a real difference. This flexible role lets you help anywhere, anytime across Queensland.
What are the benefits?
💚 Ability to help your local wildlife
🌱 Connection with your local wildlife and community
🤝 Be part of a passionate rescue network
What are the tasks?
🦘 Wildlife Reunites: Help reunite juvenile animals with their parents
🌿 Community Engagement: Represent RSPCA QLD and provide advice & education to the public when appropriate
What skills and characteristics do I need?
🐾 Confidence around wildlife and/or willingness to learn
🗣️ Excellent communication and calm under pressure
🛡️ Commitment to safety, RSPCA guidelines, and what we stand for
💉 Up‑to‑date tetanus vaccination
When can I volunteer?
🌱 A great option to fit volunteering around your lifestyle while making a meaningful impact in your community
Important Information:
This role can sometimes be emotionally challenging. You may encounter animals in distressing or confronting conditions. Our mission is to help these animals in need and provide them with the care and support they deserve. Please keep this in mind when applying, as resilience and empathy are essential for this position.
Ready to make a difference?
For more information or to apply, email 1300animal@rspcaqld.org.au or complete the application form above.
