Volunteer for Qld Guinea Pig Refuge
“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” – Sherry Anderson
Our volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and the Refuge would not exist without the time and effort given by those who offer their help. This form must be completed by anyone applying to become a volunteer for Qld Guinea Pig Refuge.
Please note, volunteers must be over the age of 16 due to insurance and Blue Card requirements. Open days are very busy, and other volunteers do not have time to supervise younger children during the day. It is also preferred that volunteers have previous experience with guinea pigs.
The QGPR Volunteer Handbook, including the Code of Conduct must be read, understood and signed by all who wish to volunteer and/or foster care for the Refuge. Any breaches of the policies contained in the Handbook may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of membership. Criminal conduct, including failure to return guinea pigs on foster care and/or QGPR property may result in police action being taken.
The Refuge has open days on the first and third Saturday of each month; however, our volunteers perform various tasks every weekend. As we don't have an actual shelter, the Refuge hires the Bald Hills Scout Den as the venue for open days. All our guinea pigs live with foster carers and the majority of our shop stock, Pig'n'Mix and hay is located at a volunteer's house close by the Scout Den.
Please note, volunteers must be over the age of 16 due to insurance and Blue Card requirements. Open days are very busy, and other volunteers do not have time to supervise younger children during the day. It is also preferred that volunteers have previous experience with guinea pigs.
The QGPR Volunteer Handbook, including the Code of Conduct must be read, understood and signed by all who wish to volunteer and/or foster care for the Refuge. Any breaches of the policies contained in the Handbook may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of membership. Criminal conduct, including failure to return guinea pigs on foster care and/or QGPR property may result in police action being taken.
The Refuge has open days on the first and third Saturday of each month; however, our volunteers perform various tasks every weekend. As we don't have an actual shelter, the Refuge hires the Bald Hills Scout Den as the venue for open days. All our guinea pigs live with foster carers and the majority of our shop stock, Pig'n'Mix and hay is located at a volunteer's house close by the Scout Den.
Volunteer Roles - What's Involved?
Ideally, the Refuge requires people to volunteer for the whole day from 8am to 4.30pm at the latest, depending on how long pack up takes. If that is not possible, you may be able to share a half day with another volunteer.
We need people to help with the below tasks:
Set up starts at 8am and involves meeting at a volunteer’s house at Bracken Ridge on open days. We then load everything we need into the Refuge trailer and transport it to the Scout Den. Once at the Den, we unpack the trailer and help with setting up all the stock. We also bag the hay before we open to the public at 10am. We have several people doing this role at once.
Piggy Parlour Assistant mostly involves bathing piggies in the warmer months. Training will be given to administer worm and mite treatment orally via a syringe, cutting nails and trimming piggies' hair. We also have another person volunteering at the piggy parlour all day, so you won’t be alone.
Pack up starts at the Den and finishes at the volunteer’s house at Bracken Ridge and should be finished by 4.30pm at the latest. You would help in some minor stock counts and then help pack everything up and load into the trailer to bring back to the volunteer’s house. You would then help unpack and put it away. We have several people doing this role at once.
Food Mixing The Refuge mixes our own Pig'n'Mix every weekend, including the open day weekend. This takes around an hour and a half and is done at the volunteer's house at Bracken Ridge. Three people are rostered to do this and it’s up to those people to choose a day and time that suits them all best.
We need people to help with the below tasks:
Set up starts at 8am and involves meeting at a volunteer’s house at Bracken Ridge on open days. We then load everything we need into the Refuge trailer and transport it to the Scout Den. Once at the Den, we unpack the trailer and help with setting up all the stock. We also bag the hay before we open to the public at 10am. We have several people doing this role at once.
Piggy Parlour Assistant mostly involves bathing piggies in the warmer months. Training will be given to administer worm and mite treatment orally via a syringe, cutting nails and trimming piggies' hair. We also have another person volunteering at the piggy parlour all day, so you won’t be alone.
Pack up starts at the Den and finishes at the volunteer’s house at Bracken Ridge and should be finished by 4.30pm at the latest. You would help in some minor stock counts and then help pack everything up and load into the trailer to bring back to the volunteer’s house. You would then help unpack and put it away. We have several people doing this role at once.
Food Mixing The Refuge mixes our own Pig'n'Mix every weekend, including the open day weekend. This takes around an hour and a half and is done at the volunteer's house at Bracken Ridge. Three people are rostered to do this and it’s up to those people to choose a day and time that suits them all best.
If you can't help at open days, other behind-the-scenes tasks include helping to clean cages, fundraising, printing and sewing. We encourage people to help as much as they can and encourage an “everyone pitches in culture”. However, we do ask that volunteers are reliable and turn up to perform their rostered role as it puts pressure on others if we are left shorthanded on open days.
If you would like to volunteer for Qld Guinea Pig Refuge, please complete the form below.
If you would like to volunteer for Qld Guinea Pig Refuge, please complete the form below.
