🐾 A Soul Called to Cats

From the moment she first locked eyes with a stray kitten who smirked at her, she knew—this was more than just a job. It was a calling.

Her journey began in high school, where she fast-tracked through a Certificate II in Animal Studies, topping the class with a mix of determination and pure love for animals. While her peers were choosing traditional paths, she was already dreaming of a life surrounded by cats. Allergic? Yes. But that never stopped her. She’s adopted four cats to date, each one a chapter in her story, each one a reminder of why she chose this path.

After working in doggy daycare and a cattery with guinea pigs and rabbits, she found her way to RSPCA Victoria—first as a volunteer in the barn, then as a full-fledged animal attendant. Her passion was undeniable, and her journey came full circle when she began supervising Cert II students, writing their reports and mentoring them just as she had once been mentored.

Her heart beats strongest in the cattery and adoptions, where she witnesses the magic of transformation—shy, scared cats blossoming into beloved companions. She recalls Lance Jawstrong, a long-term resident whose adoption brought tears of joy. And Joy, a deaf cat with cerebellum hypoplasia, who cried at night for the comfort of a bed. Joy’s story found its perfect ending with a couple who saw her soul and gave her the life she deserved. “She’s our soul cat,” they wrote. And truly, she was.

But the work isn’t always easy. There are days when compassion fatigue weighs heavy—when beloved animals are euthanized, and bonds are broken too soon. She copes by crafting in their memory, naming her car after a rabbit named Wilson, ensuring their spirits live on in unexpected places.

She’s fiercely protective of the animals, unafraid to speak up when visitors cross boundaries. “Don’t touch my belly. Don’t pick me up,” she imagines the cats saying—reminding us that respect is the first language of love.

Her dream? A sanctuary for disabled farm animals and FIV-positive cats. A retirement home where every creature, no matter their condition, is cherished.

Efficiency and teamwork are her tools. Compassion and resilience are her strengths. And through every adoption, every heartbreak, every moment of joy, she’s making a difference—not just for the animals, but for the community that learns from her example.

Because for her, this isn’t just a job.
It’s a life of purpose.
A life of love.
A life where every meow, every purr, every pawprint matters.

🐾 The Quiet Healer

From the rolling hills of New Zealand to the quiet corners of RSPCA Victoria’s cattery, Bree Still’s journey has always been guided by a deep, unwavering love for animals. Growing up next door to a vet, she was surrounded by the rhythms of animal care from an early age. Though vet school proved elusive, her passion never wavered, it simply evolved.

Her path led her through university catteries, cheetah conservation in South Africa, and countless hours volunteering with animals recovering from trauma. Bree’s heart found its rhythm in the quiet, patient work of rehabilitation, especially with behaviour cats who had known fear more than love.

At RSPCA Victoria, Bree’s days begin with a team huddle and unfold into a symphony of care: health checks, medications, surgeries, behaviour modification, and the gentle art of earning trust. Her specialty lies in the subtle. Reading the quiet cues of cats who’ve learned to hide their pain. She’s trained in low-stress handling, a skill that once helped a biting meerkat learn to accept her harness without fear. That moment, Bree says, was a turning point: “I realised my skills could truly make a difference.”

Her work is both rewarding and heartbreaking. She pours her heart into behaviour cats—those on the edge of adoptability—knowing that not all will make it. Yet she never stops trying. “Even if they’re striking or biting, we still form bonds. We do everything we can to give them a chance.”

And sometimes, those chances bloom into miracles.

There was Squid-Wid, who arrived swollen and silent, hiding in her bed for weeks. Bree visited daily, unsure if she was making progress—until one day, Squid-Wid headbutted her hand and purred. From that moment on, she made biscuits at the sight of her carers. She was adopted into a loving home, her transformation complete.

Then there was Possum, a 22-year-old cat whose story touched hearts across Victoria. After months in adoptions, a family from Ballarat saw her story online and drove two hours to give her the retirement she deserved. “Whatever time she has left,” they said, “we want it to be the best.”

Bree’s motivation comes from the cats themselves. “There will always be a silly kitten or a smoochy cat to cuddle,” she says. And from her team, who share the challenges and triumphs of this deeply emotional work.

She hopes the public sees beyond the surface—understanding that animal attendants don’t just feed and clean. They advocate, rehabilitate, and love. They fight misconceptions, like the belief that healthy cats are routinely euthanised. “We treat FIV and Ringworm now. Policies are changing. We’re always working to do more.”

Her message to the community is clear: “We love the animals we work with. It’s not just a job. We give everything we can to improve their wellbeing and give them a good life.”

And if she could speak cat language?

“Give us more treats!”

🐾 The Gentle Guardian of Wildlife

Before Chloe See ever stepped into the world of wildlife care, she was serving another vulnerable community—aged care. But her heart kept searching for new ways to help, and that search led her to the RSPCA. What began as volunteering in Wildlife quickly became a passion, and soon she was also lending her time to the Barn. Her dedication led her to complete a Certificate II in Animal Care and secure a part-time position. Though she was initially rostered for the cattery, a ringworm outbreak rerouted her path—and serendipitously, it led her right back to Wildlife, where her heart truly belongs.

Chloe’s days begin with cleans and feeds, often greeted by the surprise of escaped animals—wildlife, after all, doesn’t always follow the rules. Afternoons are her favourite, when she gets to spend one-on-one time with the animals, creating enrichment activities and bonding guinea pigs with companions. She learns what makes each animal tick and ensures that prospective adopters have the insights they need to give them the best life possible.

Her work is not without its emotional challenges. Leaving unwell baby animals like possums in incubators overnight weighs heavily on her. But Chloe’s compassion knows no bounds—she once arranged for a baby possum to be watched overnight at Mt Waverley’s EEC, going above and beyond to ensure its care. Her background in aged care helps her focus on the present, treating each moment with the animals as sacred. On sunny days, she gives non-survivable animals a final gift: time on the grass, basking in warmth and peace.

One of Chloe’s most memorable stories is of Bunny, a rabbit surrendered after ten years in a hutch. Initially frozen in place, Bunny didn’t understand the freedom of the large aviary Chloe placed him in. But with gentle encouragement, he began to explore. By day three, he was roaming freely. Adopted by a couple who promised him full run of their home, Bunny’s story became one of transformation and hope.

Chloe’s appreciation for her role shines through, even if she’s not used to the spotlight. “I turn it around and think of it as appreciating my role as someone who gets to work with animals,” she says. She wishes more people understood that caring for wildlife requires more than love—it requires knowledge, responsibility, and respect.

She’s a quiet advocate, encouraging her friends to carry towels, jackets, or boxes to help injured wildlife. Her advice to aspiring wildlife carers is simple but profound: “You’re in for a great time. Care is more than cleaning and feeding. We enrich their lives while they’re with us.”

And if she could speak the language of the animals she cares for?

“Give us more treats!”

🐾 Purpose Found in Pawprints

For Jarrod Richer, the journey to working with dogs at RSPCA Victoria was a return to his roots. Growing up surrounded by dogs, he always knew animals held a special place in his heart. But life took him through years of work in fields that didn’t spark joy—until he made the leap. Enrolling in a Certificate III in Animal Care, Jarrod applied to RSPCA and was given an opportunity that changed everything.

“This job gave me purpose,” he says. “It opened my eyes to all the ways I can give back to animals and build a career that’s meaningful.”

Working in kennels is not always easy. It’s a space filled with emotion—joy, heartbreak, hope. Jarrod has seen dogs arrive at their lowest, broken by trauma or neglect. But he’s also seen them heal, grow, and find their forever homes. “Nothing fills a kennel staff member’s cup more than seeing these dogs find their new people,” he shares.

A good day in kennels is one filled with connection. Jarrod thrives on interacting with all kinds of dogs—from the friendly to the challenging. He finds joy in the little moments: playing with a litter of puppies, sharing a laugh with his team, or simply sitting with a dog who needs comfort.

Helping dogs adjust to shelter life is a delicate process. Jarrod believes in the RSPCA’s holistic approach, where animal attendants, volunteers, vets, behaviour teams, and customer care all work together to prepare each dog for adoption. “Every area plays a pivotal role,” he says. “We give each dog the best chance of success.”

But he wishes more people understood the depth of what shelter dogs go through. “Some dogs have complex histories and trauma. I wish the public would take the time to understand that before adopting,” he says. “We love these dogs like our own, and any advice we give is to help adopters succeed.”

Jarrod’s story is one of rediscovery—of finding purpose in the wag of a tail, the trust in a dog’s eyes, and the joy of seeing a once-lost soul find home.

My first inspiration I had for my work was becoming a Volunteer in 2015. Which lead me to being employed in 2017.

Our cattery back then was very different for our cats and small animals when I first started. Now we have a wonderful new facility (CASA) for our animals.

Some of the challenges that I have had are having PCH cats that came to us as kittens and three years later they are still with us. Some of them have never known anything but ‘shelter’ life. But now they have much larger runs, can experience the ‘outdoors’ in their runs and have amazing enrichment programs to make their life with us a little easier.

There have been some difficult challenges, when we rescue animals in poor condition. We care them so lovingly I feel privileged to have cared for so many animals here at RSPCA.  We all support one another at Pearcedale incredibly well.

I love seeing all our kittens and cats moving through the shelter to adoptions, but especially I love the elderly cats, going to their ‘twilight’ homes. I love caring for them and making their time with us the best they possibly can have.

I have never had a job that I could say that I absolutely love, until working at the RSPCA at Pearcedale.

I initially had been inspired to become an animal attendant while I was volunteering in the kennels, coming in every week and seeing all the dogs and hearing which dogs had been adopted made me motivated to come in. I really enjoyed walking some of the more behavioural difficult dogs since they were always unique in their own special ways.

One of the best things about working in a shelter is watching some of the animals that might get overlooked due to their behaviour or medical needs get adopted. One of my favourite cats, ‘Bowie’ had been up for adoption for multiple months being looked over due to his medical issues. I loved sitting with him and playing with him with wand toys but was always disappointed when he didn't go home. When he got adopted, there was a joy that that brought me. This also occurs whenever our long-term animals find a forever home.

In Memory of Ken

We had a skinny, sad horse come in to us at Pearcedale in March 2024. He was named Ken because of his golden colouring. We were told he refused to eat, you could not catch him and he was so aggressive towards other horses that you couldn’t even have a horse in a neighbouring paddock because he would attack them over the fence. Ken had such severe dental issues that the vet dentist could not complete his dental work in one session. We needed to get him in the crush to be able to complete his dental work but he had had enough of everyone and everything and had completely shut down.

We decided that a single staff member would work with him, hoping a consistent and quiet presence would help ease his stress. He had come off the truck with a halter on but once he was in the paddock he did not want anything to do with anyone.

In the beginning, every time I entered the paddock he would turn and walk away. I didn’t follow or apply any pressure — I simply stayed present, giving him space and time. Gradually, he grew more comfortable with me being nearby. Each time I was able to get closer, until one day he reached out and sniffed my hand. I didn’t ask for anything more — that moment was huge! That seemed to be the point where he started to relax around me and the next day he allowed me to pat him on the neck!

Each day he was calmer and more relaxed and then I could I could finally clip on a lead rope and we would have short sessions leading him around his paddock. One day I decided to take his halter off and I was so nervous I would never be able to catch him again but when I came back in the next day, I walked up and slipped on the halter like we had done it a hundred times.

I started taking him out of the paddock, he was very nervous and would freeze in fear but each day was better and better. I would take him out every day for a little walk until he could confidently walk to the outdoor yards at the barn. Once he was confident in the yards, I started walking him through the barn on the way back to his paddock. As he grew more relaxed with our routine, I introduced him to the crush. He was so nervous but we took it slowly until he decided he was brave enough to follow me through! It was such an incredible and rewarding moment!

After then he became so relaxed we were hitting all the milestones like putting on a rug, brushing him all over and being handled by multiple staff members so we moved a horse to the paddock opposite him. Then, during one of his walks, we let them sniff noses over the fence and because he showed no aggression, just curiosity, we moved the horse into the neighbouring paddock…..still no issues. So after a few days we bit the bullet and put them in together. I nearly cried with relief as they sniffed each other and that was it, they both just put their heads down and grazed next to each other. They even shared their dinner out of the same feed bin like they were old friends.

To get to work with a horse who is so completely shut down that they can’t eat, do not want to be near people or other horses and would attack out of fear and pain, then watch them progress to being so confident and carefree that they get the zoomies around their paddock purely because they feel so happy and healthy, it is these moments that makes you feel privileged to be able to come to work every day to give each and every one of these horses the love, care and devotion they deserve.

A Journey of Compassion and Growth

Around four years ago, as the world was slowly recovering from the pandemic, Shannon started a new journey. She wanted to become a veterinary nurse and needed a job to support herself. She found a casual role as an animal attendant at RSPCA Pearcedale, which seemed like a perfect fit. What began as just a job quickly became much more important to her.

Shannon soon became a vital part of the Pearcedale team. She not only cared for animals but also used her warm and caring nature to help out in the Customer Care (adoptions) department. More recently, she's also been a great help to the animal behaviour team at the Burwood branch.

Early in her career, Shannon faced a tough challenge that many in her field experience: compassion fatigue. It was hard for her to see some animals face euthanasia, and it took a toll on her emotionally. This was a very difficult time, but Shannon, with amazing strength, dealt with it head-on. She didn't let it break her; instead, she used the experience to become incredibly strong. She learned ways to cope with stress, which not only helped her manage her own feelings but also allowed her to support others going through similar struggles. Even now, her calm strength and understanding are a comfort to her colleagues.

Among many special moments at RSPCA, one truly stands out for Shannon. She decided to foster her very first animal, Pippa, a beautiful long-haired black lab. From the moment Pippa arrived at Shannon's home, they connected. After just one night, it was clear Pippa had found her forever family. Shannon and her family, including their long-time cat, Kitty, officially adopted Pippa, starting a wonderful new chapter for everyone.

Shannon's strong dedication and willingness to always help have not gone unnoticed. She's truly a rising star at the RSPCA, showing her deep commitment to animal welfare and her amazing empathy. Her managers recently saw her potential and chose her as an emerging leader within the organization. Shannon's story is a powerful reminder of how a caring heart, combined with resilience, can make a difference not only for individuals but for an entire community.

Hello, my name is Sharni Quadara and I am an Animal Attendant (Horses) at the Peninsula shelter.

A memorable moment I have been so lucky enough to have was when we had these beautiful horses come in from a hard life and we were walking them into the barn, the mare I was leading stopped and I looked at her and gave her a hug she leant into me and took the deepest breath and we just stood there and enjoyed the moment for about 10 minutes, she knew she could relax now and I told her everything is going to be okay and you are safe now.

We are so lucky to work with these beautiful horses they deserve all the love and care in the world!