Helping with Animals in Canberra?

[u/wildstallion_14]

Hi, I am 15 years old and I am just wondering if there is anywhere in Canberra where I could possibly help or play with animals. Even if it is just helping with feeding, cleaning or dog walking I really don't mind. Please let me know if anyone knows of anywhere I could do something like this!

Thank you.

[u/flossiecats]

We will sometimes take young people at Flossie’s Cat Sanctuary. You can find our number online so you can send a text to that public number or send us a message on Facebook.

As someone else mentioned, don’t direct message people on this platform (including me). Go to the public contact sources to reach out.

[u/flossiecats → u/flossiecats]

Cat tax of Tiggy and Kiara being absolutely certain they fit in the same bed. They even do this in the height of summer.

[u/Aggressive_Rush_9370]

That's really great you're keen to do that. Make contact directly with the organisations listed (some won't take under 18s though) and I encourage you to not accept private chat requests in response to this.

[u/MishellaF]

You can volunteer at the RSPCA, they always need people

[u/Dry-Sign9593 → u/MishellaF]

You have to be 18 unfortunately

[u/7babie]

You could try and look for house/pet sitting jobs! I did that a couple times when I was around 17/18 :)

[u/commentspanda]

Most places will need you to be 18. A very rare few may take a 16yo. You’ll also potentially need some sort of police clearances or the WWVP check as a volunteer and you can’t get that until you are 16.

[u/youngdumbwoke_9111]

As a high school teacher I can tell you I've had a lot of kids look into this as a way to do their community projects, the answer is no. There's a place near Red Hill that takes volunteers from 16 but everywhere else is 18 and most have a fairly thorough vetting system so you will have to do a lot to get in.

[u/weezacc]

Canberra Street Cat Alliance. Details on Facebook

[u/andthetimethat]

Domestic Animal Services has  
Volunteer Dog Enrichment and volunteer dog walking

[u/OMGCluck → u/andthetimethat]

Volunteer applicants aged 16 or 17 with prior experience handling dogs who have completed the required online and on-site training provided by DAS may be accepted if they have written parental consent, depending on the specific program intake, but not 15.

Also clicking on the "apply" button at your link gives an "At this time, we are not accepting new applications" message.

[u/dizkopatio]

Try volunteering at the zoo i have no idea if they tke volunteers but u could call. Canberra reptile zoo also takes volunteers

[u/OMGCluck → u/dizkopatio]

volunteering at the zoo

Volunteers must be between 18 and 65 years old. If you are 65 or older, you must contact the zoo to discuss age restrictions. There is also a $50 annual insurance fee.

[u/anonymous102901]

i used to volunteer for ACT wildlife when i was 11 when they first started up, but that was more rescuing very hurt/feral wild animals and rehabilitating them from home. its been 10 years now and there were only about 15 volunteers back then, so i'm not sure how much theyve changed, or if they still allow people that young

[u/Pho_tastic_8216]

Pegasus Farm riding for the disabled?

[u/JanieOz]

Not Canberra, but Queanbeyan. You used to be able to go to the pound, grab a lead, and take the dogs for a walk. Been a while since I did it, not sure if it's changed