Thank you for your interest in volunteering with RSPCA ACT. Please see information on the type of roles available below.
We rely on the community to continue to provide care for the thousands of animals that come into our shelter every year. Volunteers are extremely important to us and we rely on their support to assist us to provide care for the thousands of animals that come into our shelter each year.
Our dedicated volunteers provide invaluable assistance in many different areas and are an indispensable and important part of our organisation.
The following requirements apply RSPCA ACT volunteers:
- Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years of age;
- Volunteers must hold Working with Vulnerable People registration. You can apply for this online through Access Canberra. Please use the following contact details on your application:
- Volunteer Program Coordinator
volunteers@rspca-act.org.au
02 6287 8127
- Volunteer Program Coordinator
- Volunteers working at the shelter, in animal-based roles, need to commit to a minimum contribution of one two-hour shift per week, for a six-month period;
- Volunteers are required to purchase an RSPCA ACT Volunteers shirt for $30;
- Volunteers are required to complete our online induction program;
- Volunteers are required to attend an orientation session during weekday business hours;
- For safety reasons, volunteers working with animals must meet the RSPCA ACT essential capabilities for animal-based volunteer roles;
- Volunteers working with animals must undergo a role-based training program to ensure the safety of themselves, the animals, staff and members of the public;
- RSPCA ACT does not offer short term volunteer placements for roles working with animals due to the level of training required to perform these roles;
- RSPCA ACT does not offer corporate volunteering opportunities other than for major events. All shelter related corporate involvement will be managed through the Corporate Support Days program.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with RSPCA ACT! A volunteer application form can be found under the detailed role information located directly below.
Animal-based Shelter Roles
Husbandry and Socialisation
Animal based roles occur daily, 365 days per year. Volunteers need to commit to a regular weekly role at the same time and on the same day each week. Your days tasks will be allocated at the start of each shift.
|
Kennels, Cattery and Domestics |
Husbandry |
Socialising |
|---|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
8:30am - 10:30am Monday - Friday |
1:30pm - 3:30pm Monday - Friday |
|
Requirements |
This is a newly developed entry point position. Applicants ideally would have experience with a variety of animals and be confident interacting with dogs of all sizes. |
Applicants should also have experience working with a variety of animals of all sizes, a good general understanding of animal behaviour, and be confident spending time with dogs in enclosed, noisy environments. |
Husbandry and Socialisation Assistant Position Description
Kennels - Cleaners and Sitters
Animal based roles occur daily, 365 days per year. Volunteers need to commit to a regular weekly role at the same time and on the same day each week.
|
KENNELS |
Cleaner |
Sitter/Socialiser |
|---|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
8:30am - 10:30am |
1:30pm - 3:30pm |
|
Requirements |
General entry point. Applicants should have experience with dogs and be confident interacting with dogs of all sizes. |
Applicants should have experience working with dogs of all sizes, a good general understanding of dog behaviour, and be confident spending time with dogs in enclosed, noisy environments. |
Dogs - Walkers
Dog Walker applications are via the below expression of interest application form
Animal based roles occur daily, 365 days per year. Volunteers need to commit to a regular weekly role at the same time and on the same day each week. All successful applicants will need to attend a two-hour information session with our trainers and behavioural team for assessment. Post this information session invitations will be extended to successful applicants where they will receive full and detailed training session with members of our behavioural and kennel team.
|
KENNELS |
Walker |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
8:30am - 10:30am |
1:30pm - 3:30pm |
|
Requirements |
Applicants should have experience walking dogs of all sizes, with a specific focus on large dogs with limited training. |
Applicants should have experience walking dogs of all sizes, with a specific focus on large dogs with limited training. |
Cats and Rabbits
Animal based roles occur daily, 365 days per year. Volunteers need to commit to a regular weekly role at the same time and on the same day each week.
|
CATS and RABBITS |
Cleaner |
Sitter/Socialiser |
|---|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
8:30am - 10:30am |
1:30pm - 3:30pm |
|
Requirements |
General entry point. Applicants should have experience with cats and rabbits and be confident interacting with them. |
Applicants should have experience with cats and rabbits and a good general understanding of animal behaviour. |
Tango's (Cat Boarding Facility)
Animal based roles occur daily, 365 days per year. Volunteers need to commit to a regular weekly role at the same time and on the same day each week.
|
TANGO'S (Cat boarding facility) |
Tangos Assistant |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
11:00am - 1:00pm |
|
Requirements |
Applicants should have experience with cats and be confident interacting with them. |
Tangos Assistant Volunteer Position Description
Domestics (Chickens/Birds/reptiles)
Animal based roles occur daily, 365 days per year. Volunteers need to commit to a regular weekly role at the same time and on the same day each week.
|
DOMESTICS (Chickens/Birds) |
Cleaner |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
8:30am - 10:30am |
|
Requirements |
Applicants should have experience with domestic birds including chickens and ducks and be confident interacting with them. |
Domestics Cleaner Volunteer Position Description
Foster Care
Feline Foster Carer
Foster carers take animals into their homes and provide the love and care needed to prepare them for adoption. Timeframes for fostering differ depending on the type of animal.
Is Foster Care for You?
- Do you love animals yet can’t commit to a pet for life right now?
- Would you like to volunteer but are not in a position to commit to a regular volunteer role at the shelter?
- Do believe all animals deserve a second chance?
- Are you interested in providing a loving, temporary home to an animal in need?
Find out more about becoming a Foster Carer for cats and kittens.
Canine Foster Carer
Foster carers take animals into their homes and provide the love and care needed to prepare them for adoption. Timeframes for fostering differ depending on the type of animal.
Is Foster Care for You?
- Do you love animals yet can’t commit to a pet for life right now?
- Would you like to volunteer but are not in a position to commit to a regular volunteer role at the shelter?
- Do believe all animals deserve a second chance?
- Are you interested in providing a loving, temporary home to an animal in need?
Find out more about becoming a Foster Carer for dog and puppy.
Other Roles
Laundry Assistant
|
Shelter Bases |
Laundry Assistant |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
Flexible, 2 hours |
|
Requirements |
Applicants should be physically fit enough to lift up to 10kgs on a regular basis and push a laundry cart of washing around the uneven shelter grounds. Washing of linen, bedding and enrichment |
Animal Transfer Assistant
Animal based roles occur daily, 365 days per year. Volunteers need to commit to a regular weekly role at the same time and on the same day each week. Your days tasks will be allocated at the start of each shift.
|
Animal Transfer Assistant |
Position |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
6:30am - 10:30am Monday - Wednesday |
|
Requirements |
The role of an animal transfer assistant is to assist the animal care team with a diverse range of transportation needs. You will require a current driver's license and experience with animal handling. |
Inspectorate
|
Inspectorate |
Transcriber, administration support |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
As required Monday – Friday (Flexible Hours) |
Dog Training School
|
DOG TRAINING SCHOOL |
Dog Training School Assistant |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
Various - generally on weekends, of one hour duration |
|
Requirements |
Applicants should have experience in the use of positive reinforcement training techniques and a keen interest in dog training. |
Dog Training School Assistant Volunteer Position Description
Maintenance
|
MAINTENANCE |
Maintenance Assistant |
Gardening Assistant |
|---|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
Various |
Various |
|
Requirements |
Applicants should have good general experience in maintenance type tasks. Specific skills in relation to trades are of great use. |
Applicants should have passion for gardening as well as good general experience in gardening type tasks. |
Donations Assistant
|
PET ADOPTION CENTRE |
Donations Assistant |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
Flexible, 2 hours |
|
Requirements |
Applicants should be physically fit enough to lift up to 10kgs on a regular basis and push a trolley containing large items around the uneven shelter grounds. |
Donations Assistant Volunteer Position Description
Vet Clinic
|
VET CLINIC |
Kennel Hand |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
9:30-12:30 - This position is available on weekdays only. |
|
Requirements |
The role of a kennel hand is physically demanding requiring a high degree of lifting, bending, squatting and reaching, including within small spaces. Occupants of these roles are on their feet for the entirety of their shift. Occupants must be able to work independently and with minimal supervision. |
Education Holiday Program
|
EDUCATION AND TRAINING |
Kids N Kritters Support |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
Various - school holidays only |
|
Requirements |
Applicants will support our staff members to deliver our school holiday education program for children. Applicants should enjoy spending time with small groups of children and supporting them to do craft activities. |
Kids n Kritters Support Volunteer Position Description
Events
|
EVENTS |
Major and Small Events |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
Various depending on event. |
|
Requirements |
Various depending on event, this covers events such as Million Paws Walk, Christmas Tree Sales, Poorly Drawn Pets, Letter Box Drops as well as Seasonal Events. |
Fundraising
|
FUNDRAISING |
Donation Collection |
|---|---|
|
Shift Times |
Various |
|
Requirements |
Applicants require access to transport and must be willing to disseminate and collect donations from locations around Canberra and deliver them to and from the RSPCA ACT shelter in Weston. |
