Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced 33 successful grant recipients as part of Round 12 of the Animal Welfare Fund Grants program, with a total of $1.6 million awarded in this round. 

This includes almost $1.14 million to not-for-profit organisations, shelters, and community rescue and rehoming organisations to support the rehoming of companion animals. 

Funding of $460,000 has been granted to not-for-profit and community vet clinics to upgrade or expand their services or facilities or set up new low-cost clinics in areas of need across the state, which will be a real game-changer for Victorian families needing access to cheaper veterinary care. 

Victorian Animal Aid will receive $42,148.00 to build 4 dog running yards, and place artificial grass in 4 existing yards at their shelter in Fulham, near Sale. The project aims to reduce the stress levels of dogs in care and will assist in their recovery, training and readiness for adoption. 

Since 2014, the Government has awarded $14.76 million to animal care organisations through the Animal Welfare Fund Grants program, which aims to improve companion animal welfare, encourage responsible pet ownership, and provide better animal welfare outcomes. 

For more information on the Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal-welfare-victoria/community-and-education/animal-welfare-fund-grants-program  

Quotes attributable to Agriculture Minister Ros Spence 

“The Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program is making a real difference in the lives of Victorian companion animals and their owners, helping as many pets as possible into loving families.” 

“We are proud to work with animal care organisations to secure affordable care, and we look forward to seeing the benefits of this work for many years to come.” 

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh 

“We are so pleased to be able to provide this much-needed support to hardworking animal care organisations like Victorian Animal Aid to improve the welfare of the animals the care for.” 

Quote attributable to Victorian Animal Aid CEO Mark Menze 

“Building the additional 4 yards with artificial grass will take our total number of running yards to 12, which means every dog in our care will have 3-4 hours outside daily.  

Providing our dogs with yard time and enrichment outside of their kennels is hugely beneficial to them and will significantly reduce their stress levels. Allowing dogs to decompress from the kennel is vital in their recovery, training and readiness for adoption. This should see dogs becoming “adoption ready” sooner, reducing their length of stay in the shelter.”