Local animal welfare organisations get funds to help more cats and dogs find their homes

Animal Aid in Coldstream has been awarded grants totaling $75,000. (Unsplash)

The State Government is helping Victorian pet rescue and rehoming groups find homes for vulnerable pets through the latest round of the Individual Pet Rehoming Grants.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced that a further $1.27 million has been awarded to organisations that provides vital rehoming services for cats and dogs.

Sixty organisations are involved in the program, they will be reimbursed $500 per dog and $200 per cat to help cover the costs of rehoming, including desexing, microchipping, vaccinations, the purchase of crates, bedding and leads, and training or rehabilitation.

As part of this round of funding, Forever Friends Animal Rescue in Gladysdale has received grants totaling $75,000, while Victorian Animal Aid in Coldstream has been awarded grants also totaling $75,000.

Second Chance Animal Rescue Inc. – an organisation in Craigieburn that has previously been supported by the grants program – has received grants totaling $56,700.

The program helps to reduce the costs for animal shelters and community foster care networks, so that they can continue caring for our state’s furry friends.

To date the program has invested $5 million across 90 organisations, supporting the rehoming more than 6,000 dogs and 12,000 cats.

Delivered as part of the Animal Welfare Fund (AWF) Grants Program, these grants recognise and support the important role animal shelters and rehoming organisations play in caring for and rehabilitating our cats and dogs, offering vulnerable animals a second chance at finding a home.

Since 2014, the AWF Grants Program has awarded more than $13 million in funding to not-for-profit animal shelters, foster care organisations and community vet clinics to directly improve companion animal welfare in Victoria.