This role supports the Foster Care Team in ensuring that animals in foster homes receive the best possible care as part of their journey with the RSPCA Victoria.

Many animals that come into the RSPCA Victoria are not immediately ready for their forever homes. They may be too young, unwell, recovering from surgery or may need behavioural support. These animals recover and develop much more successfully in a home environment- resulting in improved animal outcomes.

Our Foster Care program supports this by recruiting volunteer foster carers, placing animals in their care and supporting them during the foster period. The Foster Care Support Assistant volunteer plays an important role within the Foster Care Program by preparing and distributing supplies to ensure foster carers are well-equipped, providing support to the foster carers throughout their placements, assisting with the return and cleaning of resources, and contributing to the Reward and Recognition program, which acknowledges foster carers’ milestones.

The Foster Care Support Assistant may assist with the following activities:

• Contact foster carers as scheduled via phone, email, or SMS to provide support during placements. Record notes on the animal’s internal profile and escalate any immediate concerns to the Foster Care Team.

• Prepare foster supply packs for use by the team when placing animals into foster care. This includes assembling packs tailored to the specific needs of each placement, as directed by the Foster Care Team.

• Review and process returned foster supply packs, ensuring reusable items such as small animal cages and litter trays are cleaned and returned to storage.

• Help maintain a clean, organised, and well-stocked storeroom for foster supplies.

• Generate reports, prepare and distribute digital Reward and Recognition certificates to foster carers who reach milestone achievements.

• Perform other relevant tasks as agreed to support the Foster Care Team.

To successfully undertake this role, the volunteer will possess the following skills, attributes and/or experience:

Essential:

• Attention to detail

• Good level of fitness and physical strength, as foster supplies can be heavy to move

• Ability to work independently and follow instructions

• Reliability and commitment to a regular rostered shift

• Effective communication skills, including a friendly phone manner

• Accurate data entry skills for maintaining internal databases (Better Impact and Sheltermate)

• Basic computer skills

• Aged 18 years & over

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Victoria) is a non-government, community-based charity that works to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection. RSPCA Victoria was established in Melbourne in 1871. Since this time, the RSPCA has become Australia’s leading animal welfare charity. Volunteers are an integral part of the RSPCA team. They play an active and vital role in helping to support our work to improve the welfare of animals and protect them from cruelty and neglect. Volunteering involves commitment, dedication, and passion.