Volunteering with the RSPCA QLD

Hit the Road and Be a Hero for Animals!

If you have a passion for animal welfare and a love for the open road, we have an exciting volunteer opportunity just for you! Join our team at RSPCA Qld as a driver and embark on a journey of compassion and impact. Get ready to transport adorable furry friends, both domestic and wild, and lend a helping hand in collecting donations. It's time to put the pedal to the metal and make a difference!

What to Expect:

As a vital part of our large organisation, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of over 50,000 animals each year. Your mission will involve safely transporting animals locally and regionally, as well as collecting donated food. Whether you're shuttling animals between campuses, rehoming centres, vet surgeries, or caring for wildlife, every trip will be an adventure filled with furry passengers. Don't worry, we'll provide you with all the necessary equipment, including an RSPCA vehicle, during your shift. Please note that drivers must have an open licence.

Benefits of Being on the Road:

• Gain a deeper understanding of RSPCA operations and our mission to protect and care for animals.
• Join our friendly team and make a significant contribution to raising much-needed funds for animal welfare.

As an RSPCA driver, you'll hit the road and tackle a variety of tasks, including:

• Cruising around the greater Bundaberg area in an RSPCA vehicle, transporting our precious animal passengers.
• Safely moving animals between our animal care centres, ensuring they reach their destinations with comfort and care.
• Collecting and transporting animals from veterinary clinics back to our animal care centres, because their well-being is our top priority.

Skills and Characteristics We're Looking For:

• Be a courteous and considerate driver, making the journey as smooth as possible for your furry passengers.
• Confidence in handling a large van and/or towing a trailer, because you're about to become a road warrior for animals.
• Good communication skills to coordinate with our team and ensure a seamless transportation process.
• Hold a clean, manual open driver's licence, allowing you to hit the road with confidence.
• Display excellent driving skills and the ability to handle traffic like a pro.
• Physically fit and capable of lifting up to 10kg, ensuring our animal friends are in safe hands.
• Show your animal handling skills, making every ride a comfortable and stress-free experience for our furry passengers.

When Can You Volunteer?

We're looking for dedicated drivers who can commit to regular shifts, as well as those who can be available for on-call driving. Please note that flexibility is key in this role, as trip durations may vary due to changing traffic and weather conditions. To make a lasting impact, we kindly request a minimum commitment of one shift per week. Don't worry if you're new to this—our team will provide you with comprehensive orientation and animal training.

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

What to expect

This rewarding volunteer role would suit applicants that wish to spend their spare time giving back to the local community and who enjoy being outdoors.

The role can vary in the type of work required. Jobs can include anything from general maintenance around the centre to working in the grounds doing mowing, whipper snipping, watering to keep our grounds looking good.

What are the benefits?

• Gain an understanding of a well-respected charity and be able to share this knowledge with others in order to help animals, enlighten people and change lives.
  

What skills and characteristics do I need?

• Gardening, handyperson or maintenance experience. When applying please highlight what part of the role you are interested in doing.
• Reliable, punctual, organised and professional.
• Able to work as a team member and individually.
• Need to be physically fit with the ability to lift 10kg when required.
  
  

When can I volunteer?

• This is a flexible role, Monday – Friday

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

What to expect

If you are passionate about animals and animal welfare and looking for a unique and worthwhile way to contribute, this rewarding volunteer position could be for you.  As a Volunteer Laundry and Donations Assistant, you are responsible for ensuring all areas of the shelter have clean linen, bedding, towels and anything else required to provide a clean and comfortable environment for our animals.  Whether it is an animal that has been subjected to abuse and cruelty, a stray or lost or recently surrendered animal, this role is truly pivotal to the effective operation of the shelter. Whilst this role is not the most exciting in comparison to some of the other roles available, it is essential.  In addition, part of this role also includes bringing appropriate items that have been donated from the donations area down to the laundry to be sorted and put neatly away so the stock is constantly replenished as damaged items are discarded.

What are the benefits?

• Opportunity to gain knowledge of the how the RSPCA operates.
• Working in a friendly team and meeting new people
• Experience working in an industrial laundry
• The opportunity to make a difference and know you are keeping our animals comfortable 

What are the tasks?

• Sorting all laundry items to be washed and loading the industrial washing machines
• Discarding heavily soiled, damaged or ripped items
• Hanging washed items on the lines to dry
• Folding and putting away clean laundry ready for use
• Washing and drying ‘special’ items such as dog beds, toys, leads and collars
• Liaising with Op Shop sorting staff and transporting appropriate donated animal care items from the donations area to the laundry
• Sorting and putting away donated items

What skills and characteristics do I need?

• Good team work
• Committed hard worker
• Physically fit and able to lift 10kg
• Good communication skills 

When can I volunteer?

The position is available any day from Monday to Sunday with flexible start and finish times.

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

For further information, please contact volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au, or fill out the application above.

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.

PLEASE NOTE: 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 Op Shop on 07 3637 0040 or volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au, or apply via the link above.

What to expect

This rewarding role would suit applicants who are passionate about Australian wildlife and dedicated to improving their welfare, who are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people, and have great computer and administration skills.  In this role you will provide vital help to all creatures great and small by being the ‘face’ of the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, greeting people as they bring animals in, entering critical data onto the RSPCA systems, answering telephone calls from wildlife carers, local vet surgeries and other RSPCA departments, and other general administrative tasks as required.

Please note: In this role, you will be the first point of call for members of the public, staff and volunteers bringing in injured or deceased wildlife.  As such you will need to possess a certain level of resilience when handling these situations.

What are the benefits?

• Opportunity to gain skills and experience with various administration responsibilities and further develop your customer service skills
• Experience in the day to day operations of a busy Wildlife veterinary clinic, including the opportunity to get an up-close look at a wide range of species from common animals to endangered species
• Learning more about Australian wildlife, including learning species ID techniques and natural behaviours
• Being part of a team of enthusiastic, hardworking individuals who will support you in learning new skills

What are the tasks?

• Greeting members of the public and registered wildlife carers as they bring animals into the hospital
• Recording the details of incoming and outgoing animals
• Assisting staff with animal handling as required
• Ensuring the reception waiting area and consult rooms are kept clean and tidy at all times
• Liaising with wildlife carers regarding the placement of injured/juvenile animals, birds and reptiles
• Answering general telephone enquiries from wildlife carers
• Other data entry tasks and general duties as required
• Assisting in other areas of the hospital if reception tasks are up to date

What skills and characteristics do I need?

• Reception volunteers must be over 18 years of age
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
  Confident, friendly nature and positive in meeting new people and making them feel welcome
• Prepared to be involved in some delicate and sometimes challenging situations
  Reliable, with the ability to work independently, take initiative and multitask
• Computer literate with a good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
  Willingness to learn handling techniques and housing requirements for incoming animals

When can I volunteer?

We currently have the below shifts available only:

Mondays: 8am-12:30pm, 4pm-8pm or 5pm-10pm

Fridays: 4pm-8pm or 5pm-10pm

Saturdays: 8am-12:30pm, 12:30pm-5pm, 4pm-8pm or 5pm-10pm
Sundays: 8am-12:30pm, 12:30pm-5pm, 4pm-8pm or 5pm-10pm

Orientation and animal training will be required.

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

What to expect

There are a number of vacancies available in our busy Wildlife Hospital with various shifts across week days and weekends.  This position would suit applicants that have an interest in our native wildlife and a commitment to learn about the daily care required for them; are dedicated to improving their welfare and would like to gain exposure to a native animal hospital environment. Applicants will be involved with cleaning and the daily care of native wildlife (eg birds, possums, lizards and turtles) that are currently in care. In line with wild animal rehabilitation practices, please note that handling of wildlife will be minimal.

These can be challenging roles as you may be faced with situations where animals are sick, uncomfortable or in pain.  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!

Please note: we are unable to offer placements for Vet nursing students; please contact your course provider.

What are the benefits?

• Close encounters with native Australian wildlife!
• Learning about native wildlife and domestic bird care and husbandry
• Opportunity to gain new skills and learn about the vet care industry
• Becoming part of a friendly new community

What are the tasks?

• Providing enrichment for domestic birds
• The daily cleaning of animal enclosures which involves removing used leaf and food, plus soiled newspaper and towels, and replacing with fresh supplies
• Assist with stock control and re-stocking of supplies where appropriate.
• Sweeping and mopping floors, removing rubbish, washing animals’ water and food bowls, replacing food and water.
• Hygiene control – this is critical as a shelter environment is a high-risk area for diseases, some of which are communicable to humans or your own pets.  This means ensuring appropriate sanitisation and hand-washing after handling animals or enclosures, use of appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, etc, to prevent disease and avoid cross contamination.  
• Assistance with ensuring the hosptial environment and reception area is presentable, and general tidying up.
• Taking bins of soiled towels to the laundry and collecting clean towels etc to take back to your area.
• 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.
• Occasional minimal animal handling involved 

What skills and characteristics do I need?

• Confidence in working with animals
• Resilience – you will see and be required to care for animals with various illnesses or injuries and this can be confronting and upsetting
• 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?

• We currently have the following vacancies:
  • Tuesday - 12pm-4pm
  • Friday - 12pm-4pm
  • Saturday - 12pm-4pm
  • Sunday - 12pm-4pm
• Orientation and animal training will be provided.

If you could please specify in your application which shift you would ideally like to have, that would be much appreciated. 

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

What to expect

This rewarding role would suit applicants who are passionate about Australian wildlife and dedicated to improving their welfare, who are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people, and have great computer and administration skills.  In this role you will provide vital help to all creatures great and small by greeting people as they bring animals in, entering critical data onto the RSPCA systems, answering telephone calls from wildlife carers, local vet surgeries and other RSPCA departments, and other general administrative tasks as required.

Please note: In this role, you will be the first point of call for members of the public, staff and volunteers bringing in injured or deceased wildlife.  As such you will need to possess a certain level of resilience when handling these situations.

What are the benefits?

• Opportunity to gain skills and experience with various administration responsibilities and further develop your customer service skills
• Experience in the day to day operations of a busy Wildlife veterinary clinic, including the opportunity to get an up-close look at a wide range of species from common animals to endangered species
• Learning more about Australian wildlife, including learning species ID techniques and natural behaviours
• Being part of a team of enthusiastic, hardworking individuals who will support you in learning new skills

What are the tasks?

• Greeting members of the public and registered wildlife carers as they bring animals into the hospital
• Recording the details of incoming and outgoing animals
• Assisting staff with animal handling as required
• Ensuring the reception waiting area and consult rooms are kept clean and tidy at all times
• Liaising with wildlife carers regarding the placement of injured/juvenile animals, birds and reptiles
• Answering general telephone enquiries from wildlife carers
• Other data entry tasks and general duties as required
• Assisting in other areas of the hospital if reception tasks are up to date

What skills and characteristics do I need?

• Excellent communication and customer service skills
  Confident, friendly nature and positive in meeting new people and making them feel welcome
• Prepared to be involved in some delicate and sometimes challenging situations
  Reliable, with the ability to work independently, take initiative and multitask
• Computer literate with a good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
  Willingness to learn handling techniques and housing requirements for incoming animals

When can I volunteer?

Mornings 8am-12pm: Saturdays and Sundays

Afternoons12-4pm: Saturdays and Sundays

There is a lot to learn in this role so we request a minimum commitment of 1 x shift per week for a minimum of 3 months. Orientation and animal training will be required.

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