Make a Difference: Join SCAR’s Volunteer Family!
At SCAR, our mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals thrives because of the dedication and heart of our incredible volunteers who support our day-to-day operations. Whether you’re helping clean and maintain the shelter, providing enrichment and care to the animals, assisting with administration, fundraising events and much more – every moment you give makes a lasting impact!
Volunteering with us isn’t just about lending a paw—it’s about becoming part of a community that shares your love for them. All you need is passion, dedication and a whole lotta love!
We’re always looking for compassionate, committed individuals to join our volunteer team and if your’re ready to make a meaningful change, join us today!
7 PAWSOME Things You NEED To Know About Volunteering
1. Meet new friends
You will be surrounded by other people who love animals as much as you do, and they might even become your lifelong friends. This widens your social circle and incorporates compassionate people who share your interest in helping animals.
2. Help animals find their loving homes
Every animal coming into the shelter will have different needs, a timid feline may need help to feel safe and come out of its shell; an excitable pup might need assistance with training to help teach them some manners. Animals that appear happy and healthy have a higher chance of being adopted, and we need your help to achieve this.
3. Boost your mood and your health
Volunteering gives people a sense of satisfaction for helping others, can lower stress levels, make you feel needed and appreciated, increase happiness and so much more. A recent study showed that 95% of volunteers surveyed said they gained a “helper’s high” — a feeling of euphoria and energy. Volunteering truly is a feel-good activity, and what better way to spend the day than with furry friends?
4. Gain experience
Whether you’re helping in reception, walking a dog or cleaning a pen, you are gaining experience in many areas that can have great benefits in other areas of your life. Young adults can become better acquainted with animals, experience a set schedule of responsibilities, and gain a reference for an employment or college application. Working adults may include it on their resume or incorporate animal shelters into their work-related events and charitable causes. Someone who is unemployed can get a boost of self-esteem and confidence by being part of a vital team while looking for work.
5. Trying something new is fun!
A new activity can be exciting and a change of pace for a mundane or repetitive schedule. Why not make that something new be volunteering? You will gain a host of other benefits and the rush of happiness when a pet you helped gets a new home!
6. Stay active
Being a volunteer keeps your mind, body and emotions active and healthy. Sitting at home on weekends in front of a television can get boring and leave many of your talents unused. Volunteering that time instead keeps you thinking, moving and feeling, and can help increase physical mobility.
7. Become part of a very important team
We need money and people to stay open. You could be that one extra set of hands that helps another pet get adopted, help us to collect another donation or encourages a new person to volunteer. The animals keep coming through the door and more people are needed every day to help us continue to save lives.
Ways You Can Volunteer:
Shelter Volunteers
Based at our shelter in Craigieburn, there are plenty of opportunities for those wanting to learn more about animal care/welfare in a fun, team-orientated environment!
You’ll get plenty of hands-on experience and get to help many cats and dogs in need of your help!”
Volunteer Drivers
There are many people in our community who rely on the Outreach Services provided at SCAR to help them keep their pets.
If you have a car and are willing to travel, you can help us by:
- Driving cats and dogs to appointments in our clinic or to their foster homes
- Collecting donations or other goods to be delivered to SCAR
- Delivering vital pet food and resources to pet owners in need
Any training you require will be provided, but you must have your own vehicle, license & registration.
Tin Rattlers & Events Volunteers
We participate in many events throughout the year in order to promote the lifesaving work we do and help our animals find loving homes. We’re always looking for people to help us run these events, or to join us as a tin rattler at one of our many Highway Collections!
You will help us secure vital donations and spread the word about what we do for animals in need! You don’t need previous experience, and our events and collections are always a lot of fun!
Admin Volunteers
Our Admin Volunteers support our administrative team with the daily tasks that are required to help run our shelter.
There are so many tasks to help out with, and you’ll get a 360 view of what it takes to run our organisation behind the scenes!
Whether you’re figuring out your career path or you want to invest time in changing the animal welfare world, admin volunteering is a great place to start.
We ask that our admin volunteers commit to a minimum of weekly or bi-weekly shifts. All ongoing training will be provided!
There are so many ways to make a difference in the lives of animals in need here at SCAR! So, fill out our application form and get involved today!
Let's Celebrate
Volunteer Highlights and Testimonials
This month we’re congratulating NAME due to the enthusiastic way he always seeks out new learning opportunities at the shelter. Aside from being extremely friendly, dedicated and kind, NAME is always taking on more responsibility and showing really great initiative. He is a part of our Volunteer Buddy Program and is super dedicated to all the animals in our care.
Thank you so much, NAME! We cannot do what we do without YOU!
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
Elizabeth Andrew
Volunteer to Foster Animals with SCAR!
As a Foster Carer, you’ll open your heart and home to a cat or dog in need, and play a vital role in changing their lives. You’ll offer a peaceful respite from the stress of the shelter. A place to grow, learn, and play. To experience the love and support of a family – sometimes for the first time!
Fostering also is a fantastic way for you to enjoy a cat or dog’s company if you aren’t in a position to have a pet of your own right now. Whether you can provide short-term or long-term care, have your own pets or not - everything is provided, and we’d love to welcome you into our foster family. Because fostering really does save lives
So, if you have room in your heart for a temporary four-legged friend, please get in touch below!
