Animal Care

What to expect

RSPCA Qld deals with an excess of 22,000 wild animals every year.  We operate one of the busiest Wildlife Hospitals in Queensland.  The Volunteer Wildlife Vet Pick-Up Driver role primarily involves picking up wildlife animals from vet surgeries and taking them to RSPCA Animal Care Centre, in a dedicated RSPCA Animal Transfer vehicle. 

You will be exposed to a wide range of species including birds, mammals and reptiles, and will be responsible for the safe transportation of the animals in your care. You will also be a key representative for RSPCA Qld as you drive an RSPCA branded vehicle and liaise with vet surgeries, therefore safety and representing the RSPCA in a positive manner is essential.

 In between driving jobs you may be asked to assist with entering animal details in a database, general upkeep of the hospital including sweeping and mopping floors, removing rubbish, washing animals’ water and food bowls, replacing food and water, laundry duties, collecting groceries or prescriptions. This role would best suit a motivated, outgoing individual who is flexible and can adapt to the unpredictable nature of a triage animal hospital.

What are the benefits?

• Close encounters with wildlife
• The opportunity to improve animal handling skills and gain knowledge of the how the RSPCA operates
• Increased awareness of our native wildlife and the issues they face
• The opportunity to make a difference and know you are keeping our animals comfortable
• Becoming part of a friendly team and community

What are the tasks?

The position involves transporting wildlife patients as required and includes:

• Significant driving around the greater Brisbane area using an RSPCA vehicle
• Collecting and transporting animals from vet clinics back to the Wacol Wildlife
• Hospital, or delivering animals to vet clinics for collection
• Liaising with veterinarians at clinics regarding the animals and delivering animals along with the relevant paperwork and medication
• Generally interacting with the public at the wildlife hospital
• In between driving jobs if required, entering animal information into a database, assist with sweeping and mopping floors, removing rubbish, washing animals’ water and food bowls, replacing food and water.
• Communication with RSPCA Wildlife Hospital staff

What skills and characteristics do I need?

• Have a valid and clean driver's license and the ability to use a GPS to navigate
• Confidence in working with a variety of animals, including reptiles
• Willingness to learn, wildlife knowledge or experience an advantage
• Be physically fit (able to lift 10kg) and comfortable in a wide variety of outdoor situations
• Attention to detail and able to accurately listen and follow instructions
• Enjoy working in a team environment
• Able to be flexible and adaptable
• Excellent communication skills

When can I volunteer?

• Current Vacancies: Friday, 12pm - 5pm
• Please be aware that due to the nature of this role we ask you to be flexible to an extent with your shift time – it can be difficult to judge the length of a particular trip due to changeable traffic or weather conditions
• We request a minimum commitment of 1 x shift per fortnight for a minimum of 3 months. Orientation and animal training will be provided.
  
  

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 our Brisbane Volunteer Coordinator on 3426 9915 or volunteering@rspcaqld.org.au, or fill in the application above.