animal volunteer jobs in australia

All of the organisations below offer voluntary placements and occasionally also advertise animal jobs. Volunteering is one of the best ways of gaining hands on work experience and training and may lead to an offer of full time employment with an organisation.

There are many animal welfare/conservation organisations in each state/territory in Australia, however, below are some suggestions in order to assist you to find the right organisation to work for or assist as a volunteer. We hope to include as many of these as possible and will add more as we get them! If you would like to see your animal jobs advertised here, please get in touch with us for more information.

As an animal jobs or volunteer seeker, you may wish to a) contact your local state/territory Department of Environment and ask them for a contact with a licensed rehabilitation and release group, in your area, b) directly contact the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers Telephone 1800 032 501. c) take a look at the animal jobs information section all about volunteering

ACT, Rescue and Foster (ACT) aims to save and improve the lives of dogs in the Canberra region through the rescuing and rehoming of unwanted dogs, educating the community about responsible dog companionship and working with local pounds to help achieve, develop and implement minimum destruction policies and procedures. Volunteers can assist with fostering, transportation, marketing, etc.

Animal Rights and Rescue (ARRG) New South Wales is a no kill, foster care, self funding group that cares for animals in need. They currently require volunteer foster carers.

Animal Welfare League (AWL) Queensland cares for over 10,000 stray and abandoned companion animals every year and re-homes animals at the highest rate in Australia. They are non government funded and rely on volunteers for assistance.

Animal Welfare League (AWL) of South Australia receives no government funding to pay for operating costs and therefore rely upon the support of volunteers, we would not be able to achieve our important work. The League was originally built by Volunteers and as such they recognise the importance of their continued contribution.

The Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS) works for the aid, assistance, protection and welfare of all animals. Although most animals in their care are dogs and cats, they accept all animals including native animals, farm animals, birds, ferrets, mice, rabbits and other domesticated animals. They have an active volunteer programme and rely on volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks.

The Australian Orangutan Project exists to ensure the survival of both Sumatran and Bornean orangutan species in their natural habitat and promote the welfare of all orangutans. The project raises awareness of the need to preserve orangutan populations in their natural habitat and the intrinsic value of individual orangutans. There are few paid staff and the organisation is reliant on voluntary assistance.

Bali Street Dogs Fund works to raise awareness of the plight of the dogs in Bali. Their policy is “Healing not Killing” and they work hard to treat and neuter as many dogs as possible on the island. They have recently implemented a volunteer vet programme which involves qualified vets assisting their work in Bali in a practical way.

The Cat Protection Society (NSW) believes that every cat deserves a responsible home. They work to protect and enhance the welfare of cats, educate the public about responsible cat ownership and to encourage community understanding of the issues surrounding the care and management of cats. Volunteers can assist in their Newtown adoption centre or with other areas of their work – there is a download volunteer application form.

Darling Range Wildlife Shelter located in Perth, Western Australia, the group cares for sick, injured or orphaned wildlife with the goal of rehabilitation and successful return to the natural environment. Volunteers assist with the hands on care of animals.

DoggieRescue are a registered no kill animal rescue charity committed to rescuing neglected, abused and abandoned dogs from the death rows of Sydney pounds, and finding them loving homes. Job descriptions for volunteers are listed on their website.

For Australian Wildlife Needing Aid (FAWNA) is a volunteer wildlife rescue and rehabilitation service for injured and orphaned native wildlife operating on the mid north coast of NSW. They strive to rehabilitate native wildlife for return to their natural environment, to relocate native wildlife which is under threat or causing distress to the public into a natural habitat for that species, to train volunteer members to carry out the rescue and care of native wildlife and encourage protection of the environment and to review policies and initiate actions in pursuit of its objectives and aims.

Free the Bears Fund aims to protect, preserve and enrich the lives of bears throughout the world. They seek to achieve this by funding and facilitating conservation and rehabilitation projects, through preservation and reservation of areas of natural habitat with the aim of conserving bio-diversity and by encouraging harmonious and respectful animal-human relationships by facilitating profitable and sustainable alternatives to the illegal wildlife trade. They require volunteers to assist their work.

Friends of the Pound NSW works to save animals from destruction and improve conditions at the pound. They also encourage responsible pet ownership such as de-sexing and micro-chipping. Volunteers assist with fostering and other hands on tasks.

Help for Wildlife, Victoria offers a 24 hour state wide emergency service to members of the public who seek advice or information about caring for wildlife. All operators are highly trained and familiar with wildlife emergencies. They are the largest provider of wildlife help within Victoria, handling over 18,000 calls annually. Their site contains information on wildlife caring and about volunteering to assist animals and wildlife. They offer to help volunteers to find their closest animal shelter in need of voluntary help.

Horse Rescue Australia (HRA) is based in NSW and is devoted to the care and rehabilitation of horses that have been abused, abandoned or neglected. They have assisted over 1,400 horses - the vast majority placed into new homes. By supporting the new owners and not allowing horses to be sold on, they are able to assure that they will never return to the condition in which we found them. The organisation requires volunteers to help with feeding, grooming, property maintenance, administration, etc.

Humane Society Australia (HSI) seeks to create a humane and sustainable world, through education, advocacy and empowerment. They aim to relieve animal suffering; to prevent animal cruelty, abuse, neglect and exploitation and to protect wild animals and their environments. HSI Australia requires volunteer help with research and administration (click through from the ‘how you can help’ button on the left hand side).

Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is committed to the protection and welfare of native wildlife. Kanyana is run entirely by volunteers from the local community, with the generous support of local businesses. It takes over 100 volunteers to cover two shifts per day, every day of the year. The day-to-day activities of the volunteers provide for all of the needs of the animals and the operation of the centre. Specific tasks include nursing and feeding sick and injured birds and animals, cleaning and maintenance, administration and public education. They have a comprehensive volunteer programme with more information on their website.

The Lost Dogs Home is based in Melbourne and is Australia’s largest animal shelter, offering the community a wide variety of animal welfare services and rescuing 10,000 dogs and 7,000 cats per year. Their mission is: “To serve the community and enhance the welfare of dogs and cats by alleviating animal suffering and reducing the number of lost, injured and unwanted animals.” Information about volunteering can be found on their website.

RSPCA South Australia Volunteers are a crucial component of the successful day-to- day running of the RSPCA. Up to 1000 volunteers work state-wide in Australia. Such a strong volunteer presence reflects community concern for community needs and ensures that a strong culture of animal welfare is maintained. At the RSPCA, volunteers are not required to have skills in any field, although this can be useful. The RSPCA recognises that people choose to volunteer for many reasons. Reliability, commitment and a concern for animal welfare are essential ingredients to an enjoyable volunteer experience at the RSPCA.

NSW Animal Rescue has a no kill policy and is staffed by volunteers. They care for small breed, special needs animals. They offer boarding of animals for owners who are elderly, in hospital, nursing homes and refuges. We are able to assist with the care of the animals by providing practical assistance, food, medications and veterinary treatment. In addition, they rescue animals from pounds and shelters in Sydney, NSW. The organisation welcomes new volunteers and particularly needs foster carers.

The Oceania Project is a not-for-profit, research and information organisationdedicated to raising awareness about Cetacea (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises) and the Ocean Environment. They are asking for participants for their Internship Program aboard the Annual Whale Research Expedition.

Paws and Claws, Port Douglas is a small homeless animal society that requires volunteers to assist in a variety of practical ways – see website for more details.

Paws ‘n Hooves is an animal rescue group based in Sydney with the main objective is to save animals from certain death in various pounds and shelters in Sydney and surrounding areas. Animals rescued from "death row" are taken to their foster carers' homes where they are treated like any family pet, until such time as a new and loving home can be found for them. They require volunteer assistance with fostering, driving, promotions, etc.

PAWS Welfare comprises a small group of self-funded rescuers and volunteer foster carers and walkers whose primary aim is to help lost, abandoned or pound animals in NSW, Australia. Their idea is to feature photos and stories on their website about animals from Pounds and therefore save a life without the "emotional trauma" of visiting the Pound in person as an adopter. They require volunteers to assist with fostering, etc.

Pound Pets promote the re-homing of animals in Pounds. They have an online fostering form as they require assistance with fostering.

RSPCA Victoria Volunteers are a crucial component of the successful day-to- day running of the RSPCA. Up to 1000 volunteers work state-wide in Australia. Such a strong volunteer presence reflects community concern for community needs and ensures that a strong culture of animal welfare is maintained. At the RSPCA, volunteers are not required to have skills in any field, although this can be useful. The RSPCA recognises that people choose to volunteer for many reasons. Reliability, commitment and a concern for animal welfare are essential ingredients to an enjoyable volunteer experience at the RSPCA.

Save Foundation of Australia is committed to saving the endangered species of Africa from extinction. Founded in 1987, the organisation has a broad range of activities, with a particular focus on the African black rhinoceros and Zimbabwe. Voluntary assistance is appreciated by the organisation.

Save-a-Dog Scheme is controlled and operated by volunteers with the help of paid staff. It operates as a registered animal shelter and combines this with foster care in the community. Each dog is desexed, vaccinated, wormed, microchipped, vet-checked and temperament-assessed prior to adoption. Save-A-Dog Scheme is a "coal-face" organisation, which saves hundreds of dogs each year and which seeks, by example, to provide a better way of treating non-human animals.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society accomplishes its mission by upholding and enforcing international treaties, laws and conventions of world governments. Sea Shepherd is committed to the eradication of pirate whaling, poaching, shark finning, unlawful habitat destruction, and violations of established laws in the World's oceans. Contact to volunteer.

The Silvery Gibbon Project works to assist and conserve the Silvery Gibbon in Western Australia, contact to assist with voluntary work.

Swan Animal Haven rescues and cares for abandoned dogs until compassionate homes can be found. They advocate the sterilisation of all dogs and hope they won’t need to exist as a result. Information on volunteering animal jobs are on their website.

VetCharity Organisation (VCO) VetCharity is an Australian based, not-for-profit, incorporated organisation established by volunteer vets. Vetcharity helps set-up and run animal welfare programmes in developing communities of the Asia-Pacific region, and coordinates veterinary volunteer work on projects throughout the region.

The Victorian Animal Aid Trust is an Animal Welfare organisation dedicated to the care of all lost, unwanted and abused animals, and is bound by the Code of Practice for Animal Shelters. Voluntary animal jobs are described on their website.

Rescuing Shelties from Crisis situations is dedicated to rescuing, spaying and re-homing Shelties. They foster dogs in a home environment, rather than a kennel, if possible and are looking for more volunteers to assist with fostering.

Wildcare Australia is the registered trading name of the Australian Koala Hospital Association Incorporated. Their primary aims and objectives are:- To provide a high standard of rescue, care, rehabilitation for sick, injured, orphaned and displaced native fauna for successful release into the natural environment. For the protection and enhancement of the environment by providing quality care in Queensland for sick, injured, orphaned and displaced native Australian wildlife. The conservation of native fauna and their habitat Australia-wide, including research on the biology and medicine of native fauna is also of primary concern. To provide extensive and up to date training for wildlife volunteers in all aspects of wildlife care – please see their website for comprehensive information on voluntary animal jobs.

Wildlife Victoria works to assist wildlife in need in Victoria. Volunteers are required to assist with manning their phone line, driving, rescuing, transport, campaigning and animal care jobs.

NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES) has established a network of hundreds of volunteer who rescue, rehabilitate and release sick, injured or orphaned native animals. Each year they receive over 100,000 phone calls and rescue over 56,000 native animals from injured bluetongues to orphaned wombats. Their website contains comprehensive information about volunteering.

World League for the Protection of Animals (WLPA) is committed to promoting the well being and rights of all animals throughout the world, both native and non-native. They receive no government subsidies and is staffed primarily by volunteers.

Young Animal Protection Society, Queensland cares for homeless and unwanted dogs and cats in the Cairns area. The overall goal of the organisation is to provide a service aiming at excellence to the Cairns and surrounding district in the area of animal welfare. Volunteers are required to assist tem in numerous ways.