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Bundaberg
Volunteer at our Bundaberg 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, and farmyard friends 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.
It’s not just cleaning, though. You’ll also help with enrichment activities that make a big difference to the animals in our care.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Working with domestic animals at one of our Animal Care Centres
- Gardening and maintenance
- Administration and department support
Sign up today and start making a difference you can feel.
Volunteer Positions in Bundaberg
Animal Care Assistant | Bundaberg
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:
Get ready for an adventure that combines your passion for animals with hands-on experience and learning. Although it can get a little messy and smelly at times, the joy you'll feel is immeasurable. From cuddling cute kittens to playing fetch with playful pups, you'll be immersed in a world of furry friends. Whether it's rain or shine, summer or winter, you'll be out there making tails wag and hearts happy.
What are the Benefits?
- Plenty of quality time with lots of animals.
- An amazing opportunity to learn about the care and health requirements of our furry companions.
- Unleash your inner child and enjoy playtime and interactions with the animals in our care.
- Develop valuable skills and gain insights into the animal care industry.
- Become part of our warm and friendly community, where every wag and purr counts.
As a volunteer, you'll be an essential part of our team, with hands-on responsibilities that include:
- Giving the animals' pens a fresh start each day by cleaning up, replacing bedding, and ensuring everything is spick and span.
- Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, because happy animals mean happy volunteers!
- Helping to keep our Animal Care Campus in tip-top shape, making it a welcoming haven for our furry residents.
- Taking our four-legged friends for a stroll around the campus, providing them with much-needed enrichment and exercise.
- Embrace your playful side by spending time with all our animals and facilitating social interactions with other animals, toys, and fellow humans.
- Handling laundry duties, ensuring that our animal friends have clean and cozy bedding.
Skills and Characteristics We're Looking For:
- Confidence in working with domestic animals or a willingness to learn more about animal care in a shelter setting.
- An ability to handle increased noise levels like a pro.
- Independence is key! We need volunteers who can work autonomously and take initiative.
- Physical fitness is a must! You should be able to lift up to 10kg and stand for extended periods.
- Attention to detail is crucial, as you'll be following instructions to ensure the well-being of our furry friends.
- Teamwork makes the dream work! Enjoy working collaboratively in a supportive environment.
- Excellent communication skills will help you connect with both animals and fellow volunteers.
- Show your dedication and hard work, as you'll be joining our passionate RSPCA team.
When Can You Join the Fun?
We have shifts either morning shifts, or afternoon shifts available Monday - Sunday with either our purr-fect Cats or our paw-some Dogs.
To ensure consistency and make a lasting impact, we kindly request a minimum commitment of one four-hour shift per week. Don't worry if you're new to this—our team will provide you with orientation and training on animal interaction, training, and husbandry.
Please note that due to our limited capacity as a smaller animal care center, vacancies are limited. Apply now to secure your spot!
Important Reminders:
Before handling animals at the RSPCA, please ensure you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination. Safety first!
If you're fulfilling mutual obligation requirements with Centrelink, let us know, and we'll work together to find the best opportunity for you. Our Bundaberg Op Shop might also be an option to meet your obligations.
RSPCA BUNDABERG ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AS WELL. IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, PLEASE NOTE IN YOUR APPLICATION.
Need More Info?
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
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?
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Make a real difference—help animals get their second chance
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Short-term commitment with life-changing impact
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All supplies and support provided by RSPCA
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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!
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Submit an application form so we can get to know you
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Complete our short, online foster training
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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:
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Puppies and kittens too young for rehoming
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Animals recovering from illness or injury
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Animals needing behavioural support and socialisation
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Pets seeking safety due to domestic violence situations
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Animals displaced by natural disasters like floods or bushfires
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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:
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Foster carers must be 18+ and have access to reliable transport
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Landlord/body corporate approval is required if you rent
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Existing pets must be up to date on vaccinations
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Flexibility with the type of animal you foster increases your chances of being matched
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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
Gympie
Come and join the team in Gympie!
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, and farmyard friends 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.
It’s not just cleaning, though. You’ll also help with enrichment activities that make a big difference to the animals in our care.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Working with domestic animals at one of our Animal Care Centres
- Gardening and maintenance
- Administration and department support
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact, check out our current vacancies and apply today!
GYMPIE RSPCA ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS ON SUNDAYS FOR CATS.
General Interests
Animal Care Assistant | Gympie

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:
Get ready for an adventure that combines your passion for animals with hands-on experience and learning. Although it can get a little messy and smelly at times, the joy you'll feel is immeasurable. From cuddling cute kittens to playing fetch with playful pups, you'll be immersed in a world of furry friends. Whether it's rain or shine, summer or winter, you'll be out there making tails wag and hearts happy.
What are the Benefits?
- Plenty of quality time with lots of animals.
- An amazing opportunity to learn about the care and health requirements of our furry companions.
- Unleash your inner child and enjoy playtime and interactions with the animals in our care.
- Develop valuable skills and gain insights into the animal care industry.
- Become part of our warm and friendly community, where every wag and purr counts.
As a volunteer, you'll be an essential part of our team, with hands-on responsibilities that include:
- Giving the animals' pens a fresh start each day by cleaning up, replacing bedding, and ensuring everything is spick and span.
- Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, because happy animals mean happy volunteers!
- Helping to keep our Animal Care Campus in tip-top shape, making it a welcoming haven for our furry residents.
- Taking our four-legged friends for a stroll around the campus, providing them with much-needed enrichment and exercise.
- Embrace your playful side by spending time with all our animals and facilitating social interactions with other animals, toys, and fellow humans.
- Handling laundry duties, ensuring that our animal friends have clean and cozy bedding.
Skills and Characteristics We're Looking For:
- Confidence in working with domestic animals or a willingness to learn more about animal care in a shelter setting.
- An ability to handle increased noise levels like a pro.
- Independence is key! We need volunteers who can work autonomously and take initiative.
- Physical fitness is a must! You should be able to lift up to 10kg and stand for extended periods.
- Attention to detail is crucial, as you'll be following instructions to ensure the well-being of our furry friends.
- Teamwork makes the dream work! Enjoy working collaboratively in a supportive environment.
- Excellent communication skills will help you connect with both animals and fellow volunteers.
- Show your dedication and hard work, as you'll be joining our passionate RSPCA team.
When Can You Join the Fun?
We have shifts either morning shifts, or afternoon shifts available Monday - Sunday with either our purr-fect Cats or our paw-some Dogs.
To ensure consistency and make a lasting impact, we kindly request a minimum commitment of one four-hour shift per week. Don't worry if you're new to this—our team will provide you with orientation and training on animal interaction, training, and husbandry.
Please note that due to our limited capacity as a smaller animal care center, vacancies are limited. Apply now to secure your spot!
Important Reminders:
Before handling animals at the RSPCA, please ensure you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination. Safety first!
GYMPIE RSPCA ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS ON SUNDAYS FOR CATS.
Need More Info?
Op Shops & Retail
Ignite Change, Shop with Purpose, and Be a Hero!
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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, and farmyard friends 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.
It’s not just cleaning, though. You’ll also help with enrichment activities that make a big difference to the animals in our care.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Working with domestic animals at one of our Animal Care Centres
- Gardening and maintenance
- Administration and department support
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact, check out our current vacancies and apply today!
CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE OPEN TO DRIVING TO OUR GRACEMERE LOCATION
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:
- The daily cleaning of the animals' pens which involves removing dirty bedding, hosing or wiping out enclosures, sweeping and scooping up of poop, cleaning litter trays, and providing clean bedding and toys
- Hygiene control – ensuring appropriate sanitisation and hand-washing, and avoiding cross contamination – and ensuring that the animals remain stocked up with food, water, bedding and toys.
- Assistance with ensuring the Adoption Centre environment is presentable, and general tidying up.
- Providing enrichment to the animals under your care by walking them around the campus
- Playing and spending time with all animals and providing them opportunities to interact with other animals, toys and people where appropriate.
- 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.
- Following RSPCA philosophy of positive reinforcement with all animal interactions.
What skills and characteristics do I need?
- Confidence in working with domestic animals and/or willingness to learn more about how to work with animals in a shelter situation
- Able to cope with increased noise levels
- Be able to work independently
- Be physically fit (able to lift 10kg) and able to stand for long periods
- Attention to detail and able to accurately follow instructions
- Enjoy working in a team environment
- Excellent communication skills
- Hard working and committed to the RSPCA
When can I volunteer?
- Monday to Saturday 8:00am – 12pm or 12pm – 4pm
- Sundays 10am - 2pm
- We request a minimum commitment of 1 x four hour shift per week for a minimum of 3 months to ensure consistency and continuity with the animals.
- Orientation and training in relation to 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.
Wacol Animal Care Campus
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Volunteer at our Wacol 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, and farmyard friends 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.
It’s not just cleaning, though. You’ll also help with enrichment activities that make a big difference to the animals in our care.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Domestic animals (dogs, cats, pocket pets, or farmyard) at one of our Animal Care Centres
- Domestic animals recovering from illness or medical procedures at the Domestic Hospital or clinic
- Wildlife animals recovering or rehabilitating in preparation for release to the wild, or to a wildlife carer for further rehabilitation
- Gardening & Maintenance
- Administration Support and Department roles
If you're keen to volunteer in an animal care role, please have a look at our current vacancies below and submit an application.
Please also read the important information box below before you apply.
Volunteer Applications – Important Information - Read before applying
- Due to some staffing gaps we will ceasing all weekend orientations. We understand how this may affect your ability to begin volunteering and apologise that we can not open weekends up at this stage.
- At present, we are unable to accommodate volunteers who require the support of a support worker due to current program capacity.
- To ensure a safe and supported experience for all, applicants must be able to perform their volunteer role independently. Applications that do not meet this requirement, or fail to disclose the need for support, will not be accepted at this time.
- Please note we are unable to provide work experience or offer any student placements (exceptions being placements organised through university or tertiary programs).
Animal Care & Shelter Support
Animal Care Assistant | Wacol
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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 benefits?
- Positively impacting the lives of many animals in care
- Animal handling experience with domestic animals including dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and also livestock (large and small), pocket pets and domestic birds
- Hands on training from our shelter team
- Opportunity to gain new skills and learn about the animal care industry
- Becoming part of a friendly and passionate new community
What are the tasks?
The Animal Care Assistant can be a very physical, hands-on volunteering role and every single task, no matter how big or small, makes a big difference to the animals in care. Although you do get time throughout the shift to interact with animals, a typical shift includes all of the below tasks:
- The daily cleaning of the animals' pens which involves removing dirty bedding, hosing or wiping out enclosures, sweeping and scooping up of poop, cleaning litter trays, and providing clean bedding and toys
- Hygiene control – ensuring appropriate sanitisation and hand-washing, and avoiding cross contamination – and ensuring that the animals remain stocked up with food, water, bedding and toys.
- Assisting with socialising, enrichment and exercise of animals in care - you will be trained by shelter staff before you can work independently with animals.
- Taking bins full of soiled linen/towels/bedding to the laundry and collecting clean bedding/towels etc to take back to your area.
- Assisting with 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.
- Assistance with ensuring the Animal Care Campus environment is presentable, and general tidying up.
- Following RSPCA philosophy of positive reinforcement with all animal interactions.
What skills and characteristics do I need?
- Confidence in working with domestic animals and/or willingness to learn more about how to work with animals in a shelter situation
- Able to cope with increased noise levels and have the ability to hear if an animals is in distress or giving warning signs of fear
- Be able to fulfil all of the above tasks independently
- Be physically fit (able to lift 10kg) and able to stand for long periods. This role can be very fast-paced, due to this our volunteers need to able to manage their own time effectively
- A high level of manual dexterity with the ability to multitask
- Attention to detail and able to accurately follow instructions with the ability to comprehend these independently
- Enjoy working in a team environment
- Excellent communication skills
- Hard working and committed to the RSPCA
To help potential volunteers to fully understand the role requirements, we have created the Essential Capabilities of an Animal Care Volunteer document. Please read this before you apply to ensure you understand what we look for when reviewing applications. If an applicant is not able to meet these essential requirements, unfortunately, we are unable to progress their application any further.
When can I volunteer?
We are seeking reliable volunteers who will be able to commit to a minimum of 1 x four hour shift per week for a minimum of 3 months to ensure consistency and continuity with the animals. Due to the variety of animals we work with and the level of training involved, your first 3 months will be considered a probationary period. This is so we can ensure the role is a good fit for you and so we can ensure you feel confident with the tasks involved.
- Monday to Sunday Dog shifts (7.45am - 11:45am or 12:15pm - 4.30pm)
- Monday to Sunday Cat shifts (7.45am - 11:45am or 12:15pm - 4.30pm)
- Monday to Sunday Pocket Pet & Farmyard shifts (7:45am - 11:45am or 12:15pm - 4.30pm)
Please note - If you are applying for a role that involves working with Dogs or Cats, you will be required to attend a 'first day' training shift before you commence with your regular weekly shift. We currently run these training sessions every Tuesday and you will be automatically assigned to one of these once you confirm your onsite orientation date.
Important Reminders:
Before handling animals at the RSPCA, please ensure you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination. Safety first!
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





