Our rescue mission would simply not exist without our amazing team of foster carers.

What you need to be a foster carer:

• A love of animals
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• PATIENCE. A lot of the animals that arrive to GAR have come from lives of neglect. They require love and patience to ensure they feel safe and part of a family unit. This is the most important aspect of the foster carer role
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• A genuine commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for their foster animal
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• Secure and safe fencing
• You must live in Geelong and have drivers licence: you will have to travel to the vets and our food depot
• A willingness to provide basic training for your foster animal such as housetraining, walking on lead, socialisation
• All foster animals must be allowed to live as part of the family i.e. inside the home
• A Facebook account – our foster carer network communicate via a foster carer group on facebook
• If you have pets already, your pets must be de-sexed and up to date with their vaccinations.

Why Foster?

• You are saving an animal’s life.
• You increase the chances of that animal finding a happy home.
• Animals that are fostered versus left in the pound are less stressed and better balanced.
• It can increase your own animal’s social skills and keep them company.
• The great feeling that comes from doing a good deed.
• You might end up with a new family member, if you decide.
• It’s a way to volunteer and help from within your own home.

Foster Carers are our most important resource and we are always looking for families, couples or individuals who would like to assist us by becoming involved in our foster care program.

GAR will cover the cost of any medical treatment required to the foster animal whilst that animal is in care.
We are available 24/7 to assist you with any questions and to offer support should you require it.
We also have professional trainers and behaviorists available to assist should the need arise.

GAR endeavors to match each animal with a like-minded foster carerer.

Contact: foster@geelonganimalrescue.org.au

Our Fundraising Volunteers are the cogs that keep the GAR wheels turning.

Volunteering FAQs

Who can volunteer? Anyone can volunteer and we’d really appreciate your help. We have a range of opportunities so keep checking back if there isn’t anything for you right now. But you do need to be at least 18.

What volunteering opportunities are there? You can volunteer to help at a BBQ, tin rattle or an Adoption Day just to name a few. You can also volunteer by baking, sewing, chopping onions, providing animal transport or animal photography……if you have a skill you think we could use, let us know. You are welcome to get involved with as many or as few different types of volunteering as you are interested in.

How much time do I have to give as a volunteer? As much as you want and are able to give. The amount of time needed is different for each opportunity. It could be a one-off or a longer term commitment.

What skills do I need to volunteer? In general the skills we most need are enthusiasm, commitment and friendliness. Some roles may require certain skills and this will be clearly stated in the brief. You will need a facebook account – our volunteers communicate about upcoming events via a facebook group.

Do you offer training to volunteers? Most volunteer roles do not require any specific training although all volunteers are given a full briefing before they start the role and must sign a GAR Volunteer Agreement.

What will I get out of volunteering? That depends on the reason you have chosen to volunteer. Many volunteers great huge satisfaction out of making a difference to the lives of previously unloved animals. Your volunteering may also help you use existing skills or learn new ones, as well as meet new people and gain confidence. And you may also gain work experience for your CV.

I want in. How do I start? Complete a Volunteer Application form available at the top of this page. All successful applicants will be notified via email. We will ask you to provide basic personal information so that we can help match you to the most appropriate role as well as keep in touch on an agreed basis.

What support will I get? We will make sure you have all the information you need to perform your role, a main contact so you know who to go to with any questions or concerns, information about health and safety and your expenses reimbursed where agreed. The Facebook group will keep you informed of volunteering successes and future opportunities.

Can I leave if I don’t like it? Yes of course you can. We want all our volunteers to have a worthwhile and positive experience so we welcome feedback on how we could make improvements, so we encourage volunteers to talk to us before making the decision to leave.

Contact: volunteer@geelonganimalrescue.org.au