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Two Local Groups Receive Funding From The Animal Welfare Fund The Victorian Coalition Government is providing two Latrobe organisations with grants from the $1.6 million Animal Welfare Fund to support their work to improve the welfare of animals. By Russell North - 19th November 2014 - Back to News Member for Morwell Russell Northe said the Coalition Government had provided Traralgon Pony Club with a grant of $4,862 and Forever Friends Animal Rescue with two grants totalling $45,000.
¡§The funding will allow Traralgon Pony Club to construct fencing for emergency horse accommodation, while Forever Friends Animal Rescue Latrobe will use a $10,000 grant to provide free cat de-sexing to those on an age or disability pension,¡¨ Mr Northe said.
¡§Forever Friends Animal Rescue has also received a second grant of $35,000 to support their statewide work, including from their Latrobe division, providing medical equipment and crisis kits to foster carers as part of the Mothers and Kittens Crisis Program.
¡§Improving animal welfare is a priority of the Victorian Coalition Government and the Animal Welfare Fund is playing an important role.
¡§Not-for-profit organisations deliver excellent animal welfare services across the state, but they almost completely rely on generous donations and the hard work of volunteers.
¡§Through this fund, the Coalition Government is providing much-needed support to help these organisations undertake vital projects and upgrades they might otherwise have not been able to afford to do.¡¨
The grant comes just days after the Coalition Government provided a $6 million funding boost for RSPCA Victoria to support its work to shut down illegal puppy and kitten breeding businesses.
Mr Northe said for 11 years, the former Labor government ignored calls from the community to go further in ensuring companion animals are protected from harm.
¡§For example, Daniel Andrews and the previous Labor government allowed fines for illegal puppy farms to stay at just $1,195. It took a Coalition Government to significantly increase penalties in 2011, with fines for this serious offence now up to $88,566,¡¨ Mr Northe said.
¡§Only a Liberal-National Coalition Government has had the heart to act, and is improving the welfare of Victoria¡¦s companion animals.
¡§As well as introducing the Animal Welfare Fund, the Coalition has also introduced the toughest breeding code in Australia, increased penalties for animal cruelty to up to $72,624, and introduced a ¡¥fit and proper person¡¦ test for people managing, owning or registering domestic animal breeding businesses.¡¨
Since 2011 the Victorian Coalition Government has:
„h Introduced the toughest breeding code in Australia, with more than 100 prescriptions breeders must follow such as breeding limits and retirement plans for breeding animals, as well as mandatory vet checks and specific requirements for housing, nutrition, and staffing ratios.
„h Imposed explicit bans on blunt force trauma as a method of euthanasia and the use of wire floor cages at breeding businesses.
russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388
„h Introduced the mandatory requirement for pet shops to keep detailed records of every puppy and kitten they have for sale, which can be used as evidence to prosecute illegal breeding businesses.
„h Increased fines for aggravated cruelty to up to $72,624 or two years jail for individuals, and introduced court-imposed penalties where people can be banned for up to 10 years from working with or owning animals if convicted of aggravated cruelty, running an unregistered business or non-compliance with the mandatory breeding code.
„h Introduced ownership bans of up to 10 years for people convicted of animal cruelty offences.
„h Revoked the "28 day" rule, meaning shelters are no longer forced to euthanise animals not claimed within 28 days.
Media contact: 5133 9088
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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