RSPCA Queensland has a range of educational programs available to kids outside of school hours.

Our programs range from a single day experience to a weeklong immersive experience. Participants will experience what our amazing staff and volunteers do every day.

Parents and caregivers can get details of programs currently being offered at Eventbrite. All bookings, including payments, can be done at this site to secure your child in a place in one of the ever-popular programs. For details, visit our Eventbrite page.

Single Animal Programs

See one-day program options to suit all areas of interest. 

Canine Carers

Do you love dogs? Then this program is pawfect for you.  Start the day with the shelter team nice and early, and attend the staff meeting and get the news and special needs of those dogs you will be working with and important messages around keeping everyone safe. 

Find out what your dog needs to be healthy and happy, and how you can create toys for our furry guests or for your pet to play with! Learn how to recognise how a dog is feeling, meet new dogs safely, including some of our doggos ready for adoption. 

Taking the dogs for a walk and time to socialise is an important part of each day and too much cleaning is never enough, the canine residents at the RSPCA will love you forever for your efforts.

Cost: $125.00 + GST

Wildlife Crusaders

Discover what you need to do when taking care of native animals by joining the RSPCA’s Wildlife Crusaders program. Spend time in the wildlife hospital as we investigate ways to protect these curious creatures. We will see mammals, birds and reptiles from the wild in the hospital and observe our talented wildlife vets triage and treat those who have been injured, feel unwell or have lost their parents. 

We will be helping in the recovery wards but won’t be in intimate contact as these precious patients need to have minimal interaction with humans so they can be safely returned to the wild once they recover. This doesn’t mean we won’t be actively involved in their care as there are plenty of things to do and see that are critical in getting these guys back to their natural habitat, including cleaning so be prepared. During the program we will interact with domestic reptiles that are very comfortable being handled and all participants will be fully supervised.

Part of the day may include snake feeding time and this does include the feeding of commercially euthanized and frozen rodents. This is part of keeping and caring for a domestic snake, if however, this is an issue with any young person wishing to participate an alterative activity can be offered.

Cost: $125.00 + GST
 

Feline Friends

If you love cats, this is what you have been searching for. Find out what your cat needs to be healthy, including some first aid tips. A contented cat is a happy cat so we will be making toys to enrich their lives.

Understanding how cats communicate with us will help make all our lives better. You will discover some amazing facts about clever cats, and work with some of our feline friends at the RSPCA. Of course, we never get away with leaving their condos dirty.

Cost:

$125.00 + GST

Vet Nurse for a Day

Interested in a career working with animals? Want to experience what it is like to care for the sick and injured animals at the RSPCA?  Vet Nurses in the making enjoy an insight into the world of Veterinary Services at the RSPCA Animal Care Campus in this exclusive RSPCA Qld school holiday program.

Young adults aged 12-17 learn basic first aid for pets, the nursing of hospitalised animals, pre and post care of surgical patients and observe surgery in our Veterinary Hospital.

Participants work closely with RSPCA Veterinary Nurses caring for our patients and are sure to gain a greater understanding of the day to day tasks in our working animal hospitals, leaving with many a story to tell.

Junior Crew

Our Junior Crew school holiday programs are currently on hold, we hope to once again offer the weeklong program in the future so please watch this space!

We offer 12 children, aged between 10 - 15 years, the opportunity to participate in a week-long school holiday program. Learn more about the RSPCA Junior Crew program.

This program offers time in each department within the RSPCA, not just animal care. Many children have a passion for animals and their welfare, and the RSPCA Junior Crew Holiday Program will allow them to see the inner workings of what it takes to help over 54,000 animals each year. 

The course will be limited to 12 participants. This number allows us to provide supervision (2:6 as a minimum) and give everyone a great opportunity to be fully involved.

All must be aged between 10 years and 15 years old.

All participants will receive a printed RSPCA Junior Crew T-shirt and other RSPCA merchandise. All PPE will also be supplied

Cost: $500 + GST for the full week of activities


FAQs

  • Is there an age limit for participants? 
    • Participants must be between the ages of 10 - 12 years and 13 - 15 years).
  • Will my child get to cuddle lots of animals?
    • Where possible, participants will have some opportunities to interact with our shelter animals. However, sometimes our shelter animals may be feeling overwhelmed and need some quiet tie. In these instances, we will respect our shelter animal's needs, and focus on the many learning opportunities available. Participants should expect to assist with jobs that need to be done and learn what it takes to work at RSPCA Qld.
  • What does my child need to bring?
    • Each participant will need a water bottle, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea, closed in shoes and sun protection (hat and sunscreen).
  • Are the programs available at all shelters?
    • Unfortunately, our School Holiday Programs are only available at our Wacol campus. We hope to provide opportunities at regional shelters across Queensland as resources become available, so please check back soon. Aternatively, you may want to check out our Virtual Space.

Interested in one of our holiday or weekend programs? Please email [email protected].