Volunteer positions

Many of the animals that come into our SPCA Centres across the country need additional care, treatment and socialisation before finding their new forever home. High-needs fostering requires more time, flexibility and hands-on care than a standard foster placement. Animals may need frequent medication, close monitoring, extra cleaning or urgent veterinary visits, and their condition or behaviour can sometimes change quickly.

We need foster to provide temporary homes for:

• Sick cats - Cats recovering from illnesses such as cat flu or ringworm who need medication, monitoring, extra cleaning and a safe space to recover.
• Behavioural cats - Fractious kittens, nervous cats and cats who need time and patience to learn to trust people and become more confident.
• Dogs needing extra support -Adult dogs who may benefit from a calm home environment, additional structure, patience and one-on-one care.

Want to learn more about fostering? Watch our video to see what being an SPCA foster volunteer is all about.

Before You Apply

Before starting your application, please take some time to read the Foster Health & Safety Information. As part of your application, you’ll be asked to confirm that you have read and understood the information provided and agree to the responsibilities outlined.

Please note that you will need access to a valid email address, which will be used for important communication relating to your application and foster role.

Our valued fosterers are a vital part of our team. SPCA could not function without volunteers who donate their time freely across many important roles. As an SPCA Fosterer, you are part of our volunteer family/whānau, alongside Centre Volunteers and Op Shop Volunteers.

High-needs animals often recover best away from the busy centre environment, in a quiet home where they can receive individual attention. By fostering, you create space at the Centre for another animal in need while giving your foster animal a genuine second chance.
We are looking for caring and dependable people who can offer patience, practical support and a calm, secure environment. Your contribution could help an animal recover from illness, learn to trust people, gain confidence in a home, or simply grow strong enough to begin their next chapter.

• Providing a safe, quiet and secure temporary home, with a separate room or suitable isolation area where required
• Supporting socialisation and development in a home environment
• Following a care plan for your foster animal, including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, socialisation or behaviour support.
• Monitoring health closely and following detailed care instructions.
• Staying in contact with our team, sharing updates and asking promptly for support if the animal’s needs or your circumstances change
• Transporting animals to and from the centre or vet appointments when required.
• Returning animals to the centre once they are ready for the next stage of care or adoption.

• Availability for frequent care, including overnight feeding (high commitment).
• Confidence handling high needs animals (training provided).
• Ability to follow detailed care instructions and monitor for health concerns.
• Reliable, patient, and attentive to detail.
• Spare room (required for cats but also useful for dogs) -a safe and secure space away from other animals which could be a spare room, bathroom or laundry.
• Willingness to learn and ask questions.
• Patience, compassion and emotional resilience, along with the confidence to ask for support when circumstances change or the experience becomes difficult.
• Must be 18 years old+.
• Dog fostervolunteers ideally should have experience with handling dogs, and need to be at home for at least part of the day.

• Provide life-changing care from the comfort of your home.
• Experience the reward of helping high needs animals grow.
• Receive training, guidance, and ongoing support.
• Be part of a wider foster and volunteer community.
• Make a meaningful impact.
• Valuable hands-on animal care experience and the opportunity to learn new skills.