RSPCA Victoria invites primary, secondary and tertiary students to visit our Education Centre and Barn in Burwood East to learn about animal care and welfare, discover how an animal shelter operates and gain industry experience from professionals who are actively working in animal care and protection.
Schools and Tertiary Education Programs
Primary Programs
Primary School excursions at our Burwood East site are currently on hold.
If your school resides in the Greater Dandenong, Frankston, Casey or Cardinia council locations, our Community Outreach Team may be able to deliver an incursion at your school.
Secondary and Tertiary Programs
Guided by our experienced educators, students will explore topics such as careers with animals, humane food choices, and ethical pet adoption, and can take a deep dive into how the community supports RSPCA Victoria — a non-government, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving animal welfare.
Our education programs are also linked to the Victorian Curriculum, so we can support you in addressing curriculum areas, including English, Humanities (Civics and Citizenship), Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Capability and Personal and Social Capability.
Activities include:
- Visiting the onsite Education Barn to meet rescued farm animals and those who look after their needs
- Touring the RSPCA Burwood East Adoption Centre to view animals awaiting new homes
- Meeting an education dog and discovering how RSPCA Inspectors supported their rescue
To enquire or book a secondary school or tertiary visit, please use the enquiry form below.
Industry Experience Days
if you are looking for something more hands on, or have students who would benefit from an immersive career based experience, RSPCA Education and Training offer a program called Industry Experience Day.
There are two options that may suit your group:
Industry Experience: Animal Attendant
- Discover what is involved in caring for pets and farm animals in a shelter environment
- Assist our team in providing a clean and comfortable environment for animals
- Make and deliver food and enrichment items to animals in our care
- Learn about interpreting and responding to animal behaviour
- Develop skills in low stress animal handling and training
Industry Experience: Pet First Aid
- Take a deep dive into animal emergency situations
- How to identify an emergency and how to prevent common accidents
- Learn to respond safely and appropriately
- Develop hands on skills such as applying a compression bandage
- Assist in performing health checks with education animals such as dogs, goats and small pets
Animal Career Discovery Day
As the leading animal welfare organisation in Victoria, we utilise a range of skilled staff to care for animals and campaign for better animal welfare. We invite all those interested in a career in the industry to come and learn about working in animal care and talk with skilled professionals who are actively working in animal care and protection.
Can’t come to Burwood East?
As part of RSPCA Victoria’s Peninsula Pet Net Program, some opportunities exist for RSPCA educators to visit schools and community groups located in the municipalities of Casey, Cardinia, Frankston and Greater Dandenong.
Resources for Students and Teachers
RSPCA Victoria resources for Primary, Secondary,
and Tertiary teachers, parents and students.
