Funding for animal rehoming organisations in the Hunter

FIVE animal rehoming organisations across the Hunter are sharing in more than $150,000 in funding, delivered as part of the first round of the NSW Government’s $6 million Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grants program.

This funding will support projects like the construction of a new cattery, and subsidising desexing, microchipping and vaccination.

Successful grant recipients in the Hunter include:

● Hunter Valley Animal Facility & Rehoming Centre at Neath – $46,440

● Central Coast Animal Care Facility T/As Maitland Animal Rehoming Centre – $32,940

● Blackroo Community Indigenous Corporation – $29,700

● The Stay Foundation – $24,300

● Hunter Valley Cat Haven – $18,900

Hunter Valley Animal Facility and Rehoming Centre President Peta Smith said, “This funding is an immense help.

“It’s a lifeline that means we can now build a cattery on our property to house more than 20 cats at a time, helping to keep these precious animals off the street and away from harm.

“We’re all volunteers, so we rely on funding to help us meet the growing demand for animal rescue in the Hunter.

“This grant will also help us upgrade our power supply, ensuring our cats and kittens have a comfortable and secure environment year-round.”

Blackroo Community Indigenous Corporation Chairman Steven Fordham said, “We have many Aboriginal families across Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter who love their pets unconditionally.

“But for some families, the cost of important preventative veterinary care, such as desexing, can be a real barrier.

“This funding will help us strengthen our existing partnerships with local veterinary services so we can provide more affordable desexing support.

“We are determined to help prevent unwanted litters and ensure pets remain safe, healthy, and at home with the people who love them.”

The Stay Foundation Managing Director Jesse Reinhard said, “Our goal is to keep pets away from pounds and rescue organisations in the first place, and this funding will help us provide vulnerable pet owners essential veterinary services in the Newcastle and Hunter region.

“This money will make a tangible difference to so many pets and owners’ lives.

“It will help us provide subsidised desexing, vaccinations, and microchipping for approximately 74 pets, including 40 dogs and 34 cats, whose owners cannot afford preventative veterinary care.

“This is life-saving money, we’re grateful as it means we can keep this initiative running and save people from the devastating decision to surrender their pets due to financial hardship.”

The $6 million program, administered by the Office of Local Government, will allocate $1.5 million each year to eligible organisations over a four-year period through a competitive grant process.