A day on the road with an RSPCA Rescue Officer

Ever wondered what being an RSPCA Rescue Officer is really like?

The truth is, no two days are ever the same.

Every day, our RSPCA Rescue Officers travel across South East Queensland responding to calls for animals in need. From injured wildlife and stranded animals to urgent veterinary transports, every shift brings new challenges, unexpected moments and the opportunity to make a real difference.

In 2025 alone, RSPCA Queensland responded to almost 25,000 calls for assistance.

Come along for a day on the road with Rescue Officer Amy and see what it takes to answer the call.

10:30am: An elusive first patient

Amy's day begins in Jindalee, where an injured magpie has been reported.

She locates the bird quickly, but despite several careful attempts, it remains just out of reach and is still able to fly away. Sometimes wildlife has other ideas.

Not every call results in an immediate rescue, but patience and persistence are essential parts of the job.

11:30am: A very special trip home

Next stop is Mount Gravatt, where Amy is transporting some precious cargo.

A curlew that has been receiving treatment at the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital is finally ready to return to the wild. Watching the bird confidently walk away into its familiar environment is one of those rewarding moments that makes the tougher days worthwhile.

12:00pm: A young wallaby needs help

The next call takes Amy to Capalaba, where a young wallaby has been spotted stumbling and in need of assistance.

After safely rescuing the animal, Amy carefully transports it to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital for assessment and treatment.

Every rescue is different, but the goal is always the same: giving animals the best possible chance of recovery.

2:00pm: The search begins

An injured ibis has been reported in Pinkenba through our 1300 ANIMAL hotline.

Amy arrives and begins searching the area, but there's no sign of the bird.

Wildlife can be unpredictable and highly mobile, often turning what seems like a straightforward rescue into a lengthy search.

For now, the ibis remains one step ahead.

2:30pm: The difficult side of rescue

Not every call has a happy ending.

In Banyo, Amy responds to reports of a possum found on the roadside. Sadly, by the time she arrives, the animal has succumbed to its injuries.

These moments are never easy, but they are part of the reality our Rescue Officers face every day and a reminder of the challenges wildlife encounters in urban environments.

3:00pm: Tangled in fishing line

The next call sends Amy to Strathpine, where a bush turkey has become tangled in discarded fishing line.

Thankfully, she is able to safely rescue the bird before transporting it to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital for treatment.

It's a positive outcome and a powerful reminder of how small actions can have a big impact on wildlife.

4:30pm: A familiar face

Remember the ibis from Pinkenba?

Later that afternoon, Amy receives another call about an injured ibis in Newmarket. Remarkably, it appears to be the very same bird she had been searching for earlier.

This time she's able to safely capture and transport it for treatment.

After spending much of the day trying to locate it, knowing the ibis is finally safe feels like a well-earned win.

5:00pm: One last passenger

As Amy begins heading back towards the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital, one final call comes through.

In Ashgrove, a possum suffering from dermatitis needs help. Amy safely collects the animal and transports it for treatment, bringing a busy day of rescues to a close.

By the end of the day, Amy has travelled across much of Brisbane helping animals in need, wherever they are found.

Every journey makes a difference

Amy's day is just one example of the incredible work our RSPCA Rescue Officers do every day.

From rescuing injured wildlife and transporting animals for urgent treatment to returning recovered animals to the wild, every rescue requires dedicated people, specialised equipment and community support.

It's important work made possible thanks to the support of our community and partners, including Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ), whose partnership helps us continue caring for animals across the state.

As our Animal Rescue Units travel thousands of kilometres across Queensland each year, you may have noticed the RSPCA Queensland Community Plates proudly displayed on our vehicles. Through our partnership with Personalised Plates Queensland (PPQ), these plates help raise awareness of RSPCA Queensland and support the work we do caring for animals in need.

Animal lovers can also show their support with RSPCA Queensland Dog and Cat Plates. For every plate sold, $50 is donated directly to RSPCA Queensland, helping fund rescue services, veterinary treatment and care for vulnerable animals across the state.

So next time you spot one of our Animal Rescue Units on the road, give our Rescue team a wave. And if you'd like to support animals every time you drive, explore our RSPCA Queensland Dog and Cat Plates.