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Cairns
Volunteer at our Cairns 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 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 CAIRNS IS URGENTLY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR MONDAYS & FRIDAYS.
At present, we are unable to accommodate volunteers who require the support of a support worker due to current program capacity.
General Interests
Animal Transfer Driver | Cairns
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 Cairns 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!
Need More Info?
For more information and to get on the road to volunteering, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 3426 9903 or volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au
Gardener & Maintenance Assistant | Cairns
Plant, Prune, and Make a Difference
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 to expect
🌞 A rewarding volunteer role suited to people who enjoy giving back to their local community and spending time outdoors
🛠️ A varied role with tasks ranging from general maintenance around the centre to grounds work such as mowing, whipper snipping and watering to keep the grounds looking their best
What are the benefits?
❤️ Gain an understanding of a well‑respected charity and be able to share this knowledge with others to help animals, educate the community and change lives
What skills and characteristics do I need?
🌱 Gardening, handyperson or maintenance experience (please indicate which aspects of the role interest you when applying)
✅ Reliable, punctual, organised and professional
🤝 Able to work both independently and as part of a team
🏋️ Physically fit with the ability to lift up to 10kg when required
When can I volunteer?
📆 Flexible availability, Monday to Friday
⏳ A commitment of one shift per week is requested
Important Reminders:
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
Laundry and Donation Sorting Assistant
Join the Fun and Make a Pawsitive Difference!
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?
🤝 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?
🗑️ 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 & characteristics do I need?
🔥 Committed hard worker
🏋️ Physically fit and able to lift 10kg
🗣️ Good communication skills
When can I volunteer?
🕢 Flexible start & finish times
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 volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au, or fill out the application above.
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.
