Volunteering with the RSPCA QLD

Unleash your passion for animal welfare and be the catalyst for change!

Join the RSPCA in their mission to make a real difference in the lives of animals. With a range of engaging volunteer opportunities, you can be part of their community and education initiatives that shape hearts, minds, and behaviours. Your contribution will fuel the RSPCA's vital work, touching countless lives.

Step into the spotlight as you assist in community action days and deliver captivating presentations to schools and community groups. Share the vital message of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, igniting a spark of empathy and compassion in young minds.

Experience the power of collective action as RSPCA rallies local communities through proactive People & Pets activations, creating thriving animal welfare networks. Embark on education visits to schools and communities, leaving an indelible mark on hearts and minds.

Together, let's transform communities into beacons of compassion and build a future where every animal receives the love and care they deserve.
Volunteer with the RSPCA and ignite change in the world, one paw at a time!

Check out the video below to learn all about our Community days!

If you are interested in becoming a part of a team of passionate people making a proactive and positive difference in your community, please click one of the available roles below to join the team.

Together we change lives!

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!

1. Submit an application form so we can get to know you

2. Complete our short, online foster training

3. 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.

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.

Currently recruiting volunteers for Townsville and Toowoomba!

Answer the Call of Compassion: Unleash Your Heroic Spirit with RSPCA QLD's Inspectorate & Rescue Team!

Embark on a heroic journey that will touch your soul! Join our Inspectorate & Rescue team and become a lifeline for animals in need. In 2022 alone, a staggering 28,177 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. 

As an animal welfare organisation, RSPCA Qld have a variety of different volunteer roles involving hands-on animal interaction.

These roles are incredibly rewarding, but be warned - keeping animals happy and healthy requires a lot of cleaning! It can be physically demanding, and we need assistance every day of the year - whether it's sunshine or rain, a public holiday or a weekday. Of course, it's not just cleaning; there's plenty of opportunities for enrichment activities too. 

Volunteer roles can involve working with:

• 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

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).