Horse and Livestock Volunteer

RSPCA Victoria is a non-government, community-based, not-for-profit organisation whose vision is ‘ending cruelty to all animals’. We are Victoria’s best-known and most respected animal welfare organisation.

Our organisation’s purpose is to work with the community to achieve outstanding animal welfare through education, advocacy, and animal care and protection. RSPCA Victoria’s values - clarity and accountability, respect and consideration, and expertise and collaboration - set clear expectations for all our staff and volunteers.Volunteers are an integral part of the RSPCA Victoria 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.

Role Purpose

This role will provide assistance to the animal attendants in the delivery of day to day care of mainly horses but also small livestock and poultry in care at the RSPCA, contributing to the achievement of the best possible welfare outcome for every horse in our care.

Key Tasks

The Horse & Livestock Volunteer will be providing assistance to the animal attendants with the following activities:

- Feeding poultry, horses & other livestock
- Making up feeds based on feeding plans-Cleaning paddocks, stables and yards with animal attendant-Grooming horses and picking out horses’ feet under the direction of the animal attendant
- General maintenance – tidy work areas and storage sheds, restocking supplies, cleaning and replacing bedding for small livestock and poultry

Please note:This role will include working with animals (small and large) both indoors and outdoors regardless of weather conditions)

Skills, Qualifications, or Experience Required

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

- Must have current experience with horses through work experience or ownership
- Be able to carry out husbandry activities such as cleaning paddocks, making up horse feeds and hay nets, cleaning stables
- Must be comfortable to safely handle a horse for basic tasks such as grooming and picking out horses’ feet
- Ability to carry out physical tasks including lifting up to 15kg, picking up in multiple (up to average 25) paddocks per shift, and feed out up to 40 horses per shift
- Small livestock experience
- Current Driver’s license and willingness to drive ride on mower or Gator on site (Opportunity for training and to gain qualification to drive Gator vehicle on site)

Training & Support Requirements

- Screening for experience and other requirements
- Interview with Livestock Team
- Local induction in safety
- Probationary period to apply for all applicants post-induction
- Training to be provided by the livestock animal attendant team
- Volunteers to work alongside animal attendants ongoing

Other Requirements

RSPCA Victoria is serious about providing a safe and healthy environment for volunteers, employees and the animals in our care. If you are interested in this role, we will need to collect the following information prior to you commencing in the role (see checked items below). By signing this Role Profile, you give consent to RSPCA to conduct any checks as necessary.

- Screen for animal cruelty offenses
- Medical - proof of tetanus vaccination
- Identity check

RSPCA Victoria volunteers contribute vital support to ending cruelty for all animals.

Online and Onsite training provided and required for all volunteers.

Time required

Minimum of one 4 hour shift per fortnight for 6 months required. (Additional or more frequent shifts may also be available.)Shifts available Monday to Friday only

Requirements

Current experience with horses through ownership or work is required for this position.

#J-18808-Ljbffr