Fifty-eight animal rehoming organisations are set to share in $1.5 million funding under the first phase of the NSW Government’s $6 million Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grants program.
The program, administered by the NSW Office of Local Government, allocates $1.5 million each year to eligible organisations over a four-year period.
The funding can be used in a number of ways including to purchase equipment, upgrade facilities for animal rehoming and welfare services, and cover veterinary treatments such as desexing and vaccination.
“These wonderful organisations are largely run by volunteers who dedicate their time, effort and hearts to protecting the most vulnerable cats and dogs,” said Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig.
“This funding will help provide safe havens for surrendered animals, return lost pets to their owners, and find temporary and forever homes for animals without care.
“This support by the Minns Labor Government will make it easier for rehoming organisations to continue delivering essential animal care and rehoming services.
“I congratulate all the grant recipients and thank them on behalf of the government and community for their outstanding work.”
Successful recipients in the first round include a mix of regional and metropolitan rehoming organisations, including Friends of Kempsey Pound in Kempsey ($54,000), CatRescue 901 in Sydney ($47,520), and the Hunter Valley Animal Facility and Rehoming Centre ($46,440).
CatRescue901 Director and successful applicant, Carole Nesse said the grant is “an absolute gamechanger” for her team.
“Now we can grow our operations and help get more cats off the streets. It will also ease the pressure on our desexing program, which is really stretched at the moment because of the number of cats needing our support,” she said.
“The funding also allows us to offer more subsidised vet care to people who need it.
“We’re incredibly passionate about what we do, but a small organisation like ours relies on public donations. This grant gives us the security we need so we can save more cats and give them the second chance they deserve.”
