Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program
Grants are available to not-for-profit and community organisations who:
- rehome pets
- provide low-cost veterinary services.
About the Grant Program
The Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program was established to support improvement of companion animal welfare in the Victorian community.
These grants recognise that companion animals play a significant role in the lives of Victorians.
The Victorian Government is delivering on our commitment to provide a $3 million boost to Animal Welfare Grants and continues to pursue important reforms to Victorian animal welfare laws. The funding commitment includes:
- $1 million for animal shelters and foster carers to purchase equipment or upgrade or expand their services
- $2 million for not-for profit and community vet clinics to maintain and expand their services, and allow new low cost clinics to be set up in areas of need around Victoria.
There will be four rounds offered to deliver the Victorian Government's $3 million boost to the Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program.
Upcoming grants
Online applications for round 9 grant funding will open on 12 November 2020 and close at midnight 12 December 2020.
Round 9 of the program offers:
- a total of $250,000 to not-for-profit organisations, shelters and foster carers to support the rehoming of dogs and cats
- a total of $500,000 to not-for-profit and community vet clinics to allow them to maintain and expand their services, and allow new low-cost clinics to be set up in areas of need around Victoria.
The following competitive grants will be offered to deliver round 9 funding:
- Grants for rehoming pets (small grants) — up to $10,000 (GST free) to animal shelters and foster carers wishing to purchase equipment or upgrade or expand their services to benefit the welfare of cats and dogs. For delivery over 12 months.
- Grants for rehoming pets (large grants) — up to $50,000 (GST free) to animal shelters and foster carers wishing to purchase equipment or upgrade or expand their services to benefit the welfare of cats and dogs. For delivery over 12 months.
- Grants for veterinary equipment, upgrades and expansions — up to $50,000 (GST free) to not-for-profit and community veterinary clinics wishing to purchase equipment, or upgrade or expand their facility or services to benefit the welfare of cats and dogs. For delivery over 12 months.
- Grants for the establishment of new, low-cost veterinary clinics — providing up to $150,000 (GST free) to organisations and registered veterinary practitioners wishing to establish new, low-cost veterinary clinics in areas of need in Victoria. For delivery over 24 months.
Only 1 application will be permitted per organisation.
For more information contact pet.welfare@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Grant guidelines
Applicants are encouraged to read the program guidelines before commencing an application.
Apply for a grant
Eligible organisations wishing to apply for round 9 funding can do so online from 12 November 2020 until midnight on 12 December 2020.
These links open up a secure online application form:
- Rehoming pets — small grant application
- Rehoming pets — large grant application
- Veterinary equipment, upgrades and expansions application
- Establishment of new low-cost veterinary clinics application
Latest grants awarded
The Minister for Agriculture, on behalf of the government, offered round 8 grants to not-for-profit and community organisations that improve the welfare of animals.
These included:
- organisations wishing to establish new low-cost veterinary clinics in areas of need in Victoria
- animal shelters and rescue groups
- organisations promoting responsible animal ownership education
- community foster care networks.
These are the details of the successful Round 8 (2019 to 2020) applicants and their projects.
Successful rehoming pets small grant applicants for round 8 (2019 to 2020)
Organisation | Project title | Grant amount |
|---|---|---|
Geelong Animal Rescue (GAR) Limited | Project Mayday Geelong | $5,117 |
Horsham People for Animal Welfare Society | Behaviour adjustment training for foster carers and dog training instructors | $1,200 |
| No Hairs Ark | Facility upgrade | $1,688 |
| Forever Friends Animal Rescue Latrobe Inc | Disability and Aged Care (DAAP) Desexing Program | $10,000 |
Successful rehoming pets large grant applicants for round 8 (2019 to 2020)
Organisation | Project title | Grant amount |
|---|---|---|
Starting Over Dog Rescue | Mobile education and transport van | $30,990 |
Bendigo Animal Welfare & Community Services | Upgrade of Adoption Cattery facility | $25,000 |
Victorian Animal Aid | Weather proofing dog training and exercise area Coldstream | $26,340 |
Racing 2 Rehome Greyhound Adoption Group | R2R mobile greyhound rescue and rehoming vehicle | $35,500 |
Blue Cross Animals Society of Victoria | Enrichment multi-sensory environment areas — feline and canine | $13,908 |
Successful new low cost vet clinic grant applicants for round 8 (2019 to 2020)
| Organisation | Project title | Grant amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lort Smith | Lort Smith Campbellfield low-cost veterinary clinic | $150,000 |
| Australian Animal Protection Society (AAPS) | New community veterinary clinic | $150,000 |
| Maneki Neko Cat Rescue (MNKR) | Community vet clinic | $29,300 |
| Project delivery under negotiation | $91,385 |
Vet equipment upgrades and expansions grant recipient for round 8 (2019 to 2020)
| Organisation | Project title | Grant amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Vets Pty Ltd | New equipment | $50,000 |
Previously successful grant applicants
View details of applicants that have previously been awarded grants.