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
Mackay
Sign up today to volunteer at our Mackay shelter!
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 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 MACKAY ARE URGENTLY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR ADMINISTRATION OR GARDENING & MAINTENANCE.
General Interests
Animal Transfer Driver | Mackay
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 Mackay 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:
😊 Courteous and considerate driving style to ensure smooth, low‑stress journeys for animals
🚚 Confidence driving a large van and/or towing a trailer
🗣️ Strong communication skills to coordinate effectively with RSPCA staff and volunteers
🪪 A clean, manual open driver’s licence
🏎️ Excellent driving skills and confidence navigating a range of traffic conditions
🏋️ Physically fit and able to lift up to 10kg
🐾 Confidence or willingness to assist with basic animal handling to ensure stress‑free transport
When Can You Volunteer?
📆 We’re seeking drivers who can commit to regular shifts, as well as volunteers available for on‑call driving
⏱️ Flexibility is essential, as trip lengths may vary due to traffic or weather conditions
✅ A minimum commitment of one shift per week is required
🎓 No experience? No problem—comprehensive orientation and animal handling training will be provided
Important Reminders:
Before handling animals at the RSPCA, please ensure you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination. Safety first!
Join our team of compassionate drivers and become a superhero for animals on wheels. Apply today and let's drive change together!
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
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!
What to expect
This rewarding volunteer role would suit applicants who are passionate about Australia’s native wildlife and are committed to improving their welfare. This is a great opportunity for people who want to help their local Wildlife. This program is available across Queensland and is flexible, allowing participants to help anywhere, anytime.
What are the benefits?
🦉 Develop native animal handling and identification skills
🏡 Get to know your local wildlife and connect with your community
🤝 Become part of the RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Rescue Network
What are the tasks?
The position involves very basic rescuing and transporting injured, sick, or orphaned wildlife as required and includes:
🚗 Rescue & Transport: Responding to wildlife rescue and transport requests in your local area and delivering animals to nearby veterinary clinics or local wildlife carers
🐣 Wildlife Reunites: Attempting to reunite juvenile birds and other animals with their parents where appropriate
⚠️ Important safety note:
🐾 You will only work with common, non‑dangerous species, such as small–medium birds, lizards, turtles and possums
🚫 This role does not involve high‑risk species (kangaroos, koalas, bats, goannas, birds of prey or snakes)
🚧 No high‑risk rescue situations (e.g. ladders, water bodies, heights or confined spaces)
👋 Community Engagement: Engage positively with members of the public when responding to rescue or transport requests, represent RSPCA QLD professionally, and provide advice or education where appropriate
What skills and characteristics do I need?
🔞 Be over 18 years of age and hold a valid Queensland driver’s licence
🚙 Access to a suitable, roadworthy and insured vehicle (your own vehicle and basic equipment will be used)
📚 Willingness to learn about wildlife species and rescue techniques
⚠️ Commitment to following RSPCA Queensland WH&S guidelines and code of conduct
🔄 Ability to be flexible and adaptable while always working safely and not placing yourself or others at risk
🗣️ Excellent communication skills with the ability to remain calm and objective
❤️ A genuine interest in animal welfare and the objectives of RSPCA Queensland
When can I volunteer?
🌱 A great option to fit volunteering around your lifestyle while making a meaningful impact in your community
Important Information:
- As an RSPCA Volunteer you can only attend to animals that have been tasked to you by RSPCA Staff and once you accept a job you will be required to regularly check in with RSPCA staff when out doing a job for your safety and to be covered by our insurances.
- It is a requirement that before handling animals at the RSPCA you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination, and this will be your responsibility to obtain and keep up to date.
- If you do wildlife rescues already, please email us on the below email and we can add you to our rescue list so we can refer rescues to you or your organisation.
For further information, please contact our Wildlife Responder Coordinator via email on 1300animal@rspcaqld.org.au or fill in an application above.
