Friday 11 March, 2016

A dog rescue group with a focus on saving and rehabilitating breeding animals from puppy farms has been given a $10,000 grant to support its work and dedication to animal welfare.

Loch organisation, Saffron on the Hill is one of 21 community animal welfare groups who will receive funding in the latest round of Animal Welfare Fund Grants.

Animal protection groups around the State are set to receive nearly $350,000 to boost their work in protecting neglected and abused animals.

Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria, visited Saffron on the Hill – which rehabilitates and rehomes dogs that have been abused, abandoned, surrendered or neglected to announce the grant.

Saffron on the Hill relies on its own fundraising, donations and sales of homemade pet products, but given the influx of dogs after several puppy farms were closed in the Gippsland area, the shelter needed more funding to upgrade its facilities to temporarily house these dogs.

In this round of grants, eight large grants ($10,000 to $50,000) and 13 small grants (under $10,000 each) will be awarded to organisations that improve the lives of many animals including horses, dogs, cats and rabbits.

The grants are an example of the Andrews Labor Government’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of animals in Victoria, whether it is through funding such as this or through legislation to end illegal and cruel cat and dog breeding.

Grants were open to projects to support the work of animal welfare groups in areas such as:

• education programs
• animal emergency relief services
• programs to rehome lost animals or reunite them with their owners
• Facilities for dog exercise and socialisation.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing:

“It’s such a pleasure to reward the work of Saffron on the Hill, a Gippsland organisation that is helping to stamp out puppy farming and giving dogs the love, care, routines and health they deserve.”

“We take animal welfare really seriously – that’s why we’re supporting volunteer organisations that play such an important role in improving and protecting the welfare and health of our dogs.”

“We’re making Victoria better for pets, and all owners have a role to play – please visit www.vic.gov.au/pets for tips to help care for your furry, scaled or feathered friends.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford:

“The Andrews Labor Government is proud to lead the way in not only stamping out cruel and barbaric puppy farms, but we are investing in strengthening animal welfare practices across the state.”

Photo courtesy of the South Gippsland Sentinel Times