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 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:

• 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!

For more information and to get on the road to volunteering, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 3426 9903 or volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au.

Alternatively, fill in the application above to get started.

Join our team of compassionate drivers and become a superhero for animals on wheels. Apply today and let's drive change together!

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 is Community Outreach?

RSPCA Qld believes that people and pets are better together. The emotional, mental and physical benefits of the relationships between people and pets highlight the importance of a proactive community outreach. Our positive impact within the community is made possible through the support of our community outreach volunteers.

The Community Outreach team aims to support and educate the community in becoming informed and responsible pet owners. This rewarding role would suit like-minded individuals who enjoy engaging with members of their community whilst promoting and supporting RSPCA QLD programs and services.

As RSPCA QLD’s community outreach extends further into additional regions, this exciting initiative will have you at the forefront of delivering positive outcomes for people and pets within your community. We have a number of positive, welcoming and encouraging staff members ready to support your community outreach adventure.

Our team works together with human service providers to amplify the support needed for people and their pets. 

We are currently providing community programs in the Logan, Moreton Bay, Cairns and Townsville regions, and we need your help. As this preventative and proactive initiative is a new venture for RSPCA QLD, recruiting community support is essential.      

Our vision is that all communities are empowered to care for animals and people.

What locations are available?

We are currently focusing on providing community outreach into the Logan, Moreton Bay, Cairns and Townsville regions. 

What are the benefits?

• As part of the Community Outreach Volunteer team, you will be at the forefront of delivering new and improved outcomes for your community.

• Be part of the Community Outreach Team.

• Supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged pet owners to better care for their pets.
  
  

What are the tasks?

• Represent RSPCA Qld in the community and share your passion for animal welfare.

• Provide assistance at community days alongside our RSPCA staff members.

• Provide assistance delivering community workshops and programs.

• Promote RSPCA Qld services and support programs.

Community event tasks will differ depending on assigned allocation and skillset.

What skills and characteristics do I need?

• Social etiquette – Welcoming, well-mannered, enthusiastic, empathetic, and patient 

• The ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.

• Clear communication skills and the ability to follow directions 

• Confidence to interact with members of the public.

• Understanding of RSPCA’s mission and stance on animal welfare issues, or the ability to enhance your knowledge.

Some roles may require a foundational level of computer literacy and animal handling skills. However, further training can be provided.

When can I volunteer?

Depending on your selected location, outreach days are only currently held on weekdays.

Please click the 'Fill in an Application" button above to register your interest in this role.

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.