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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
Rescue
Answer the Call of Compassion: Unleash Your Heroic Spirit with RSPCA QLD's Inspectorate & Rescue Team!
Currently recruiting volunteers for Rescue Driving!
Embark on a heroic journey that will touch your soul!
Join our Inspectorate & Rescue team and become a lifeline for animals in need. In 2025 alone, a staggering 23,144 creatures received our life-saving assistance through our dedicated Rescue Units. Among them, an astonishing 77% were the magnificent treasures of Australian wildlife - our native birds, possums, koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies. As a Rescue Unit Driver or Rescue Unit Assistant volunteer, you'll be at the forefront of these daring missions, making a tangible impact on the lives of animals in distress.
If being out on the road and rescuing animals is appealing to you, the Rescue Unit Driver or Rescue Unit Assistant volunteer roles might suit you!
These roles are also perfectly suited to people who want to volunteer together, such as teaming up with a friend or partner.
At present, we are unable to accommodate volunteers who require the support of a support worker due to current program capacity.
Volunteer Positions Available
Rescue Unit Driver and Assistant | Wacol/Brisbane
Are you passionate about helping animals and want to make a real difference? Our Rescue Volunteering Roles offer a unique opportunity to support RSPCA’s vital rescue operations across Queensland. From supporting the rescue team with coordinating rescue jobs to assisting with logistics, this role is perfect for those who thrive on variety and have skills to share.
Please note this role will be based at our Wacol Animal Care Campus.
What to expect
RSPCA Queensland is seeking passionate volunteers to join our Rescue Unit as Drivers (going out independently) or Assistants (going out with a staff member). You’ll play a vital role in responding to animal rescue calls across Brisbane and beyond.
Based at our Brisbane Animal Care Campus, you’ll hit the road in an RSPCA vehicle (with iPhone and iPad provided) to assist animals in need. This is not your typical shelter role. We need independent, adaptable, reliable people who can stay calm under pressure, handle challenging situations, and love a drive.
We welcome drivers and assistants (both require a valid QLD P2 license in the 2nd year or higher). Friends or couples can volunteer together - one as a driver, the other as an assistant after training.
Help us make a real difference. Apply today and be part of the front-line saving lives!
What are the benefits?
🐾 Opportunity to improve animal handling skills and gain a deeper understanding of how the RSPCA operates
🎓 Learn directly from experienced RSPCA Rescue Unit Officers
🦘 Increase awareness of native wildlife and the challenges they face
❤️ Make a meaningful difference by helping keep animals safe and comfortable
🤝 Become part of a friendly, supportive team and community
What are the tasks?
The position involves transporting injured or unwell animals as required and includes:
🗺️ Significant driving throughout the greater Brisbane area using an RSPCA vehicle
🏥 Collecting and transporting animals from veterinary clinics back to the Wacol Wildlife Hospital, or delivering animals to vet clinics for collection
👋 Interacting with members of the public while assisting animals or gathering additional information
What skills and characteristics do I need?
🐾 Confidence working with animals, or a willingness to learn to handle a variety of species
📱 Basic tech skills (emails, photos via iPhone/iPad)
✅ Reliable, committed, and physically fit (able to lift 10kg)
🔍 Strong attention to detail for paperwork and ability to accurately listen to and follow instructions
🤝 Enjoy working as part of a team
🔄 Flexible and adaptable to changing situations
🗣️ Excellent communication skills
- 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.
- To help potential volunteers to fully understand the role requirements, we have created the Essential Capabilities of an RSPCA QLD Rescue Volunteer.
- It is a requirement that before handling animals at the RSPCA you have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
- Flexibility is important: Due to the nature of this role, shift lengths may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions
- A minimum commitment of one shift per fortnight for at least 3 months is required
- Full orientation and animal handling training will be provided
When can I volunteer?
Driver Assistants: Monday – Sunday (7am-3.05pm, 10am-6.05pm, 1pm-9.05pm)
Drivers: Monday – Sunday (7am-2.30pm, 3pm-9pm)
Shorter driver shifts: 8-12pm, 12pm-4pm, 4pm-8pm
Can be flexible to driver times and can be discussed at the time of applying
📝 Please indicate your available days and preferred shift times when applying
If you have any questions about this role, please contact the Volunteer Ambulance Coordinator via email on: animalambulance@rspcaqld.org.au or fill in the application above.
Rescue Unit Driver | Logan
Are you passionate about helping animals and want to make a real difference? Our Rescue Volunteering Roles offer a unique opportunity to support RSPCA’s vital rescue operations across Queensland. From supporting the rescue team with coordinating rescue jobs to assisting with logistics, this role is perfect for those who thrive on variety and have skills to share.
Please note this role will be based in Logan and surrounds.
What to expect
RSPCA Qld provides a Volunteer Rescue Unit service in Logan dedicated to rescue any sick, injured or orphaned animals in the Logan City Council area (in a vehicle that we provide with iPhone and iPad). This shift works slightly different from our Wacol positions as the car stays in the logan area and is transferred between volunteers personal homes when it is your shift. It is a requirement that you live in the logan council area for this role. If you don’t, please consider our other roles.
We ask that all new Logan Drivers attend the Wacol Campus (Brisbane) to do 3 x training shifts with our Rescue Officers to gain an insight into the Department and on the road training with a Rescue Officer, prior to commencing permanent shifts.
What are the benefits?
🐾 Opportunity to improve animal handling skills and gain a deeper understanding of how the RSPCA operates
🎓 Learn directly from experienced RSPCA Rescue Unit Officers
🦘 Increase awareness of native wildlife and the challenges they face
❤️ Make a meaningful difference by helping keep animals safe and comfortable
🤝 Become part of a friendly, supportive team and community
What are the tasks?
The position involves transporting injured or unwell animals as required and includes:
🗺️ Significant driving throughout the greater Brisbane area using an RSPCA vehicle
🏥 Collecting and transporting animals from veterinary clinics, or delivering animals to vet clinics for collection
👋 Interacting with members of the public while assisting animals or gathering additional information
What skills and characteristics do I need?
🐾 Confidence working with animals, or a willingness to learn to handle a variety of species
📱 Basic tech skills (emails, photos via iPhone/iPad)
✅ Reliable, committed, and physically fit (able to lift 10kg)
🔍 Strong attention to detail for paperwork and ability to accurately listen to and follow instructions
🤝 Enjoy working as part of a team
🔄 Flexible and adaptable to changing situations
🗣️ Excellent communication skills
- 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.
- To help potential volunteers to fully understand the role requirements, we have created the Essential Capabilities of an RSPCA QLD Rescue Volunteer.
- It is a requirement that before handling animals at the RSPCA you have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
- Flexibility is important: Due to the nature of this role, shift lengths may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions
- A minimum commitment of one shift per fortnight for at least 3 months is required
- Full orientation and animal handling training will be provided
When can I volunteer?
Shift times: Monday – Sunday 8am-5pm, 5pm-9pm
Can be flexible to driver times and can be discussed at the time of applying
📝 Please indicate your available days and preferred shift times when applying
If you have any questions about this role, please contact the Volunteer Ambulance Coordinator via email on: animalambulance@rspcaqld.org.au or fill in the application above.
Rescue Unit Driver | Toowoomba
Are you passionate about helping animals and want to make a real difference? Our Rescue Volunteering Roles offer a unique opportunity to support RSPCA’s vital rescue operations across Queensland. From supporting the rescue team with coordinating rescue jobs to assisting with logistics, this role is perfect for those who thrive on variety and have skills to share.
Please note this role will be based in Toowoomba and surrounds.
What to expect
RSPCA Qld provides a Volunteer Rescue Unit service in Toowoomba dedicated to rescue any sick, injured or orphaned animals in the Toowoomba Council area (in a vehicle that we provide with iPhone and iPad). This shift works slightly different from our Wacol positions as the car stays in the Toowoomba area and is transferred between volunteers personal homes when it is your shift. It is a requirement that you live in the Toowoomba council area for this role. If you don’t, please consider our other roles.
We ask that all new Toowoomba Drivers attend the Wacol Campus (Brisbane) to do 2 x training shifts with our Rescue Officers to gain an insight into the Department and on the road training with a Rescue Officer, and 1 shift in Toowoomba, prior to commencing permanent shifts.
What are the benefits?
🐾 Opportunity to improve animal handling skills and gain a deeper understanding of how the RSPCA operates
🎓 Learn directly from experienced RSPCA Rescue Unit Officers
🦘 Increase awareness of native wildlife and the challenges they face
❤️ Make a meaningful difference by helping keep animals safe and comfortable
🤝 Become part of a friendly, supportive team and community
What are the tasks?
The position involves transporting injured or unwell animals as required and includes:
🗺️ Significant driving throughout the greater Brisbane area using an RSPCA vehicle
🏥 Collecting and transporting animals from veterinary clinics, or delivering animals to vet clinics for collection
👋 Interacting with members of the public while assisting animals or gathering additional information
What skills and characteristics do I need?
🐾 Confidence working with animals, or a willingness to learn to handle a variety of species
📱 Basic tech skills (emails, photos via iPhone/iPad)
✅ Reliable, committed, and physically fit (able to lift 10kg)
🔍 Strong attention to detail for paperwork and ability to accurately listen to and follow instructions
🤝 Enjoy working as part of a team
🔄 Flexible and adaptable to changing situations
🗣️ Excellent communication skills
- 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.
- To help potential volunteers to fully understand the role requirements, we have created the Essential Capabilities of an RSPCA QLD Rescue Volunteer.
- It is a requirement that before handling animals at the RSPCA you have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination.
- Flexibility is important: Due to the nature of this role, shift lengths may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions
- A minimum commitment of one shift per fortnight for at least 3 months is required
- Full orientation and animal handling training will be provided
When can I volunteer?
Shift times: Monday – Sunday 7am-3pm, 3pm-9pm
Can be flexible to driver times and can be discussed at the time of applying
📝 Please indicate your available days and preferred shift times when applying
If you have any questions about this role, please contact the Volunteer Ambulance Coordinator via email on: animalambulance@rspcaqld.org.au or fill in the application above.
Wildlife
Join us in making a wild difference!
Step into the heart of wildlife care at our RSPCA Qld Wildlife Hospital and discover an experience like no other. As a volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in supporting the daily operations that help injured and sick native animals get back to the wild where they belong.
From assisting with essential tasks to learning about the unique needs of our incredible wildlife, every shift offers something new. You’ll gain hands-on insight into animal care, work alongside passionate professionals, and see firsthand the impact your efforts make.
It’s not always easy—wildlife care can be challenging and fast-paced—but the reward is immense. Every animal you help is a life changed, and every moment spent here is a chance to grow your skills and make a real difference.
With flexible shifts and the opportunity to meet a variety of native species, this is your chance to turn compassion into action.
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.
Wildlife Opportunities
Wildlife Assistant | Eumundi
Support Recovery, One Animal at a Time!
Calling all wildlife enthusiasts and animal lovers!
Join our incredible team at Eumundi Wildlife & Rehabilitation Centre and be part of a rewarding experience with Australia's native wildlife. If you're passionate about their well-being and eager to learn about their daily care, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Gain exposure to our native animal rehabilitation centre and make a real difference in the lives of our furry friends!
What to expect:
🌿 Exposure to Australian native wildlife and their care
💙 Take on the challenge of supporting animals who may be sick, injured or in discomfort
We understand this role can be emotional at times, but the reward is priceless—you’ll be making a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of animals and your own
What are the benefits?
📚 Learn valuable skills in native wildlife care and husbandry
🩺 Gain insight into the veterinary care industry
🤝 Join a friendly, supportive community
What are the tasks?
🧹 Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures to a high standard
🧼 Sweeping and mopping floors while keeping rubbish under control
🧪 Maintaining strict hygiene control by following sanitisation protocols and procedures
🏥 Supporting a clean, tidy and welcoming clinic and reception environment
🧺 Assisting with laundry duties including washing, folding and returning clean bedding and towels
📦 Assisting with stock control and ensuring essential supplies are available
Skills and characteristics needed:
✅ Ability to work independently and take initiative
🏋️ Physically fit, with the ability to lift up to 10kg
🔍 Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately follow instructions
🤝 Enjoy working in a team environment with excellent communication skills
🔥 A dedicated, hard‑working attitude and strong commitment to the RSPCA mission
When can I volunteer?
We offer a range of shifts from Monday to Sunday. Our current roles we need to fill urgently are:
- Dawn Shift (6:30am – 10:30am) Fridays and Saturdays
- Morning Shift (8:30am – 12:30pm) Mondays and Thursdays
- Midday Shift (10:00am – 2:00pm) Saturdays and Sundays
- Afternoon Shift (1:30pm – 5:30pm) Thursdays and Sundays
For information on what's undertaken in these shifts, please see the following document: Eumundi Volunteer Shift Descriptions
Orientation and training in animal interaction, training, and husbandry will be provided
Important Reminders:
An up-to-date Tetanus vaccination is recommended before handling animals at the RSPCA.
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
Wildlife Reception | Eumundi
Start Their Rescue Story at the Front Desk!
Passionate about Australian wildlife and love meeting new people? Join us as a Wildlife Reception Volunteer and play a vital role in helping animals in need. You’ll greet visitors, assist wildlife carers, manage critical data, and support the day-to-day operations of our busy hospital.
Please note: You’ll be the first point of contact for injured or deceased wildlife, so resilience and professionalism are essential.
What are the benefits?
🦘 Learn about Australian wildlife and species identification
👀 See firsthand the care of animals, from common species to endangered wildlife
🤗 Join a supportive, passionate team
What are the tasks?
📋 Record details of incoming and outgoing animals
🐾 Assist staff with animal handling when needed
🧽 Keep reception and consult areas clean and tidy
📞 Answer calls and liaise with carers about animal placement
💻 Perform data entry and general admin tasks
🤝 Help in other hospital areas when reception duties are complete
What skills and characteristics do I need?
😄 Friendly, confident, and positive attitude
🤲 Ability to handle sensitive situations
⏱️ Reliable, proactive, and able to multitask
💻 Computer literate (Microsoft Word & Excel)
🐾 Willingness to learn animal handling techniques and housing requirements for Wildlife
When can I volunteer?
⏰ Mornings 8am–12pm: Saturdays and Sundays
🌅 Afternoons 12–4pm: Saturdays and Sundays
📘 There is a lot to learn in this role, so we request a minimum commitment of 1 shift per week for at least 3 months.
🐾 Orientation and animal training will be required.
Important Reminders:
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
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.
