Volunteer and help pets and their families
Our volunteers help people care for their cherished pets, and create small moments of connection that make a big difference in someone’s day.
With the complexities of life on the rise, more people are finding themselves in difficult situations. Our volunteer network is here to support pet owners during times of crisis and personal hardship, including older people in our Home Care Assistance Program by helping them care for their pets at home and keep the important bond they share.
There is a genuine sense of connection among our volunteers. You will meet like-minded people, share special moments with cherished pets, and be part of something that brings compassion and care to others.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Practical Pet Support
Help people care for their pets at home by providing hands-on, practical assistance. This is our most common volunteer role and a vital part of helping people and pets stay together.
Support may include:
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Dog walking
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Transporting pets to and from vet appointments
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Providing basic at-home pet care and companionship
You’ll be matched with tasks that suit your availability and comfort level.
Pet Respite Care
Becoming a respite carer means offering a temporary, loving home to pets whose owners are facing challenging times, such as illness or hardship.
By opening your heart and home, you provide a safe and nurturing space for a pet in need, while making a lasting difference in the lives of their families.
Our Care Team will provide you with all the resources, guidance, and support you need to care for pets with confidence and compassion.
Events & Administration
If you enjoy being organised or creative, you can help with events, fundraisers, and community-based activities — from setup and logistics to gathering stories or taking photos.
We also welcome volunteers with specialist skills in areas like marketing, fundraising, or community relations. You might support a short project, help in our Community Pet Hub, or contribute to a campaign. These roles are flexible and shaped to suit your strengths.
In 2025, we’re celebrating 10 years of Cherished Pets — and there’s never been a better time to join our volunteer community and help support our celebrations.
What we ask of our volunteers
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You must be 18 years of age or older.
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Be able to comply with or obtain any relevant checks and screenings required for volunteering.
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Be regularly available 2-4 hours per week/fortnight and for a minimum 6 month commitment.
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Be friendly, compassionate, and enjoy meeting people and caring for pets.
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While you don’t need to be super fit to volunteer, pets can get quite excited — especially on walks — so a reasonable level of confidence and mobility is needed for most roles. We’ll always try to match you with tasks that suit your comfort and abilities.
Getting Started
If you’d like to register your interest, please email volunteer@cherishedpets.com.au telling us a little about yourself and why you’d like to volunteer with us.
We run volunteer intake sessions and training at set times throughout the year. You're welcome to express your interest by emailing us, and we’ll be in touch when the next intake is coming up.
The intake session is a great opportunity to meet our team, ask questions, and help us match your interests, availability, and skills with the right volunteering opportunity.
We look forward to meeting you!
CALL FOR DOG RESPITE CARERS
Are you a dog lover with a warm, caring home?
We're urgently seeking respite carers to provide temporary care for dogs while their owners get the support they need.
💛 Care for a dog for 1 week to 1 month
💛 All food and medication (if required) provided
💛 Support from our Care Team
Please contact us and become a respite carer today.
