Meet Sam & Milo: The Rescue Duo Helping Animals Every Day

If you’ve seen RSPCA Lottery No. 89, chances are you’ve already met Milo — the energetic Border Collie who stole the spotlight while showing off some seriously impressive prizes. But behind Milo’s wagging tail is an incredible human too: Sam, an Animal Rescue Officer with RSPCA Queensland. 

While Milo was busy perfecting his pose (and making friends with the drone on set), Sam spends her days out on the road in an RSPCA animal ambulance, responding to urgent calls about sick, injured, and vulnerable animals who need help.

And no two days are ever the same.

One moment, Sam might be carefully rescuing a possum stranded on a rooftop. The next, she could be attending to a kangaroo injured in a car accident, rescuing a sick koala from a tree, or picking up an injured dog or trapped cat. Every call is different. Every rescue important.

Alongside her teammates, Sam responds to hundreds of calls. In 2025, RSPCA Queensland’s 1300 animal hotline for wildlife assistance received 95,890 calls. That same year:

• 23,144 animal rescues were attended
• 27,111 sick or injured wildlife were treated at the RSPCA QLD Wildlife Hospital or Rehabilitation Centre
• And in total, 42,818 animals turned to the RSPCA for help

When severe weather events or natural disasters strike, those numbers can surge even higher — with devastating consequences for pets and wildlife alike.

That’s where the RSPCA Lottery comes in.

Every ticket purchased helps keep Sam and her colleagues on the road, fuel in the ambulances, equipment at the ready, and rescue teams available when the call comes in. It might feel like a small action, but even one ticket helps make these lifesaving rescues possible.

Which is why Milo was more than happy to lend a paw promoting Lottery No. 89, where supporters have the chance to win a brand-new LandCruiser Sahara and $87,000 in cashable Gold Bullion. While Milo may not be able to drive the LandCruiser (or understand what the shiny prop blocks were), he took his role very seriously.

From centre stage to the front lines, Sam and Milo are the perfect reminder of what the RSPCA Lottery is really about — helping animals when they need it most.

Playing never felt so good. 💙🐶

RSPCA operates across Australia through a federation of Member Societies. Stories shared may reflect programs delivered in specific regions and may not be available nationwide.