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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
Gympie
Come and join the team in Gympie!
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, and farmyard friends 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.
It’s not just cleaning, though. You’ll also help with enrichment activities that make a big difference to the animals in our care.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Working with domestic animals at one of our Animal Care Centres
- Gardening and maintenance
- Administration and department support
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact, check out our current vacancies and apply today!
GYMPIE RSPCA ARE URGENTLY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR SUNDAYS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH OUR CATS.
At present, we are unable to accommodate volunteers who require the support of a support worker due to current program capacity.
General Interests
Animal Care Assistant | Gympie

Join the Fun and Make a Pawsitive Difference!
Looking for a rewarding way to spend your time? Love animals and want to make a meaningful impact on their lives? Look no further! We have an exciting volunteer opportunity that's perfect for animal enthusiasts like you. Get ready for an amazing experience that will leave you with a wagging tail!
What to Expect:
Get ready for an adventure that combines your passion for animals with hands-on experience and learning. Although it can get a little messy and smelly at times, the joy you'll feel is immeasurable. From cuddling cute kittens to playing fetch with playful pups, you'll be immersed in a world of furry friends. Whether it's rain or shine, summer or winter, you'll be out there making tails wag and hearts happy.
What are the Benefits?
- Plenty of quality time with lots of animals.
- An amazing opportunity to learn about the care and health requirements of our furry companions.
- Unleash your inner child and enjoy playtime and interactions with the animals in our care.
- Develop valuable skills and gain insights into the animal care industry.
- Become part of our warm and friendly community, where every wag and purr counts.
As a volunteer, you'll be an essential part of our team, with hands-on responsibilities that include:
- Giving the animals' pens a fresh start each day by cleaning up, replacing bedding, and ensuring everything is spick and span.
- Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment, because happy animals mean happy volunteers!
- Helping to keep our Animal Care Campus in tip-top shape, making it a welcoming haven for our furry residents.
- Taking our four-legged friends for a stroll around the campus, providing them with much-needed enrichment and exercise.
- Embrace your playful side by spending time with all our animals and facilitating social interactions with other animals, toys, and fellow humans.
- Handling laundry duties, ensuring that our animal friends have clean and cozy bedding.
Skills and Characteristics We're Looking For:
- Confidence in working with domestic animals or a willingness to learn more about animal care in a shelter setting.
- An ability to handle increased noise levels like a pro.
- Independence is key! We need volunteers who can work autonomously and take initiative.
- Physical fitness is a must! You should be able to lift up to 10kg and stand for extended periods.
- Attention to detail is crucial, as you'll be following instructions to ensure the well-being of our furry friends.
- Teamwork makes the dream work! Enjoy working collaboratively in a supportive environment.
- Excellent communication skills will help you connect with both animals and fellow volunteers.
- Show your dedication and hard work, as you'll be joining our passionate RSPCA team.
When Can You Join the Fun?
We have shifts either morning shifts, or afternoon shifts available Monday - Sunday with either our purr-fect Cats or our paw-some Dogs.
To ensure consistency and make a lasting impact, we kindly request a minimum commitment of one four-hour shift per week. Don't worry if you're new to this—our team will provide you with orientation and training on animal interaction, training, and husbandry.
Please note that due to our limited capacity as a smaller animal care center, vacancies are limited. Apply now to secure your spot!
Important Reminders:
Before handling animals at the RSPCA, please ensure you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination. Safety first!
GYMPIE RSPCA ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS ON SUNDAYS FOR CATS.
Need More Info?
Animal Transfer Driver | Gympie
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 Gympie 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. We are currently looking for Drivers on Monday and Tuesday.
Important Reminders:
Before handling animals at the RSPCA, please ensure you have an up-to-date Tetanus vaccination. Safety first!
Op Shops & Retail
Ignite Change, Shop with Purpose, and Be a Hero!
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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?
- Increased awareness of our native wildlife and the issues they face.
- Native animal handling and identification skills.
- Get to know your local wildlife and community.
- Be part of the RSPCA QLD 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 and Transport: Attending wildlife transport and rescue requests in your local area and deliver animals to a nearby vet clinic or local Wildlife carer.
- Wildlife Reunites: Attempt to reunite juvenile birds and other animals with their parents.
- In this role you will only deal with common and non-dangerous species (Smal-Med Birds, Lizards, Turtles & Possums) and you will not be dealing with high-risk animals (Roo’s, Koalas, Bats, Goanna’s, Birds of Prey, snakes) and no rescue situations that involve high risk (on ladders, in a water body, at heights, in a confined space)
- Community Engagement: Engage with members of the public in a positive way and represent RSPCA QLD when responding to rescue and transportation requests and provide advice or education when appropriate.
What skills and characteristics do I need?
- Confidence when interacting with a variety of wildlife species.
- Must be over 18 years of age, hold a valid Queensland driver's licence, and access to a suitable roadworthy and insured vehicle, you will be using your own vehicle and equipment.
- Willingness to learn about wildlife and rescue techniques.
- Adherence to RSPCA Queensland WH&S guidelines and code of conduct.
- Able to be flexible and adaptable but work in a safe manner and not put yourself or others at risk or harm.
- Excellent communication skills and able to stay calm and objective.
- Genuine interest in animal welfare and the objectives of RSPCA Qld.
When can I volunteer?
You can nominate the times and locations you want to carry out transports and rescues that suits you, this is a flexible volunteer role you can do to fit into your lifestyle.
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.

