Branches & Friends Of Groups

Branches and Friends of Groups are groups of dedicated volunteers who support their local RSPCA Shelter or Inspector through various Fundraising and Awareness raising activities.

Please note: Branches and Friends of Groups are not involved in the daily operations of the shelters, so any general enquiries should be directed to the contact numbers appearing on the home page. To locate your nearest RSPCA Qld shelter - click here.

Do you want to have fun, meet like-minded people and be part of a community group who has a genuine concern for animal welfare and is able to change the lives of animals in your region?

Come and join one of our Branches or Friends of Groups and help raise awareness and funds to improve the quality of animal’s lives in our care.

There are many volunteer positions available.  No matter how much or how little time you have available, our Branches and Friends of Groups still need your help - whether its simply selling raffle tickets a few times a year, helping out at an annual event or making the commitment to join the committee. 

For more information, please contact the Branch or Friends of Group in your area.  Alternatively, you can contact the State Branches & Friends of Groups Coordinator, Michelle Henderson on (07) 3426 9903 or mhenderson@rspcaqld.org.au.

Groups are located in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Gold Coast, Gympie, Noosa-Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Mackay, Pine Rivers and Toowoomba.

Brisbane Branch:
With the big task at hand of supporting the Fairfield Shelter, the largest RSPCA Shelter in Queensland, the volunteers of the Brisbane Branch require a great deal of dedication.  In the past year they have held sausage sizzles at RSPCA Qld events like Million Paws Walk, Santa Paws and the 1^st Birthday Celebrations for World for Pets.  They also have a sewing team who make special beds and coats filled with love for the many animals finding themselves at the shelter over the winter months.  The Branch collects donations at the annual Pet Expo and have risen early to sell donated goods at local suburban markets.

In 2005 the Branch were able to purchase the following items for the Fairfield Shelter:

• Kongs and behavioural/enrichment toys for ex-cruelty case animals
• Kennels – to enable the animals to ‘get away from it all’ when they need time by themselves
• An outdoor cat run and protective shelter
• Barrier fencing along the cattery – helping to prevent the spread of disease

Contact:         Corrie Verbeeten, President
                    Phone (07)3899 4316 

Bundaberg Branch:

Supporting their local Shelter and Inspector the volunteers of the Bundaberg Branch focus the majority of their time into managing their own ‘Bargain Barn’ selling donated goods.  The volunteers also found time to be awarded first prize in the “Bundy in Bloom” Non Floral Decorated Float in September 2005, provide catering for a bike ride organised by the Mad Cycologists and hold an art exhibition with local artists donating pieces based on the work of the RSPCA.

In 2005 the Branch purchased the following to assist their Shelter and Inspector:

• New beds for dogs and cats
• Kitty litter
• Cat cages
• Clippers
• Air conditioner
• Cordless phone and new photocopier-fax-printer
• Computer upgrade for both the Shelter and Inspector
• Digital camera and new tyres for the Inspector

Contact:       Estelle Hansen, President

Phone (07) 4151 6955

E-mail bundbranch@rspcaqld.org.au

Gold Coast Branch

The Gold Coast Branch faced the closure of its local RSPCA Animal Shelter in 2004 due to the end of a lease agreement with the council.  The Branch remained positive and continues to raise funds to support the work of RSPCA Qld and their local Animal Ambulance and Inspectors with the vision of raising funds to invest in a new shelter.  The Branch currently manages five Thrift Shops throughout the region and holds annual fundraising events such as Million Paws Walk, Santa Paws and Blessing of the Animals.  In 2005 a Fashion Show and Theatre Night were also added to the event list.

In 2005, the Gold Coast Branch were voted the ‘Branch of the Year’ due to their outstanding and ongoing efforts.

Pine Rivers Friends of Group

Supporting the Dakabin Animal Shelter, the Pine Rivers Friends of Group manages their own Thrift Shop in Strathpine.  The shop is open six days a week and the volunteers are continually overwhelmed by the sheer number of donations from the local community.   The volunteers are kept busy keeping the shop clean, sorting clothes and cutting up rags all in aid of the animals of the Dakabin Shelter.  They also support their local Million Paws Walk by providing the sausage sizzle each year.

Contact:       Julianna Freeman

Phone (07) 3889 9850

Toowoomba Friends of Group

Founded just two years ago in January 2004, the Toowoomba Friends of Group has quickly become an extremely successful fundraising group thanks to its small group of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers and strong support from local businesses.   The Groups first event, Million Paws Walk in May 2004, raised $3,500 for the Toowoomba Animal Shelter.  Since then the group has raised further funds from Million Paws Walk 2005, two Trivia Nights and the collection of money and goods at local shopping centres.   Their biggest purchase to date has been a horse float for their local inspector.