Community and not-for-profit organisations support positive animal welfare outcomes in WA by rehoming and fostering surrendered, neglected and abandoned companion animals. Similarly, rescue and rehabilitation groups support wildlife displaced or injured by events such as bushfire and urbanisation. Veterinarians also provide free and low-cost animal health services to support animal welfare in disadvantaged communities.
Grant information
The Animal Welfare Grant Program, administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), offers grants of up to $50,000 (GST free) to eligible organisations in each grant round. There are four rounds of grants in total, with one to be run each financial year (2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25).
Round One of the grant program, which opened in October 2021, had 16 successful applicants. All applicants for Round One have been notified. Programs funded included the following:
| Organisation | Project description | Region | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary | Construction of a purpose-built enclosure to use as a nursey for joeys (kangaroos and possums) to ensure smooth transition to release, which can also be used as a first aid and rehabilitation pen for injured wildlife. | Great Southern | $4,868 |
| Bluebush Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation | Construction of an enclosure for rehabilitation of raptors prior to release. | Wheatbelt | $19,290 |
| Bridgetown Wildlife Rescue Incorporated | Purchase of veterinary equipment and construction of purpose-built enclosures of wildlife rehabilitation. | South West | $19,781 |
| Cat Welfare Society Inc t/as Cat Haven | A free desexing program (220 cats) targeting lower socio-economic areas of Perth. | Metro, Peel | $33,000 |
| Deedlebug Cat Rescue Incorporated | A project offering subsidised desexing, and assistance with boarding costs for cats of families experiencing domestic violence and housing insecurity. | Metro | $42,026 |
| Dogs Behind Bars Rescue Inc | A program that places dogs with behavioural issues into correctional and rehabilitation facilities and conducts weekly training sessions to allow the dogs to transition into a foster home or be adopted. | Metro | $50,000 |
| Native Animal Rescue Inc | Purchase of ICU incubators and diagnostic equipment for wildlife rehabilitation to build hospital capacity. | Metro | $17,374 |
| Nullakai Vet Services | Construction of infrastructure and purchase of veterinary equipment to provide free wildlife veterinary services to local carers. | Great Southern | $50,000 |
| Pets of Older Persons (POOPS) WA Inc | Extension of a pilot program that offers low-cost veterinary services for pets in the POOPS WA program. | Metro, Peel, South West | $30,000 |
| Possum Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc | Construction of a vermin-proof fence and purchase of monitoring equipment associated with rehabilitating possums, including the Western Ringtail Possum. | South West | $36,000 |
| Romeo’s Rabbit Rescue Inc | Assistance with veterinary expenses and foster carer support packages for rabbits that have been abandoned, surrendered and/or rescued by the community. | Metro | $29,500 |
| Shire of Derby West Kimberley | A program that offers free desexing, preventative health care, and veterinary attention to animals in 54 remote communities in the West Kimberley. | Kimberley | $50,000 |
| Shire of Halls Creek | Transportation of impounded dogs that would otherwise by euthanised from Halls Creek to Broome, to be later rehomed in Perth. | Kimberley | $9,339 |
| Souls and Stars Sanctuary Incorporated | Construction of facilities to provide safe temporary accommodation, food, and veterinary care for animals whose families wish to escape, or have escaped, domestic and family violence. | Wheatbelt | $50,000 |
| West Australian Pet Project Inc | A program that offers subsidised desexing and microchipping of between 400 and 600 cats and dogs to WA residents over 18 years old who are concession card holders. | Metro | $50,000 |
| Western Australian Seabird Rescue (Inc.) | Purchase of equipment and medical supplies for rehabilitating seabirds, and assistance with veterinary expenses. | Metro, Peel, South West | $8,830 |
Round Two now open
Round Two of the Animal Welfare Grant Program opened on 13 April 2022.
Potential applicants may include, but are not necessarily restricted to:
- animal shelters
- wildlife carers, rescue groups and rehabilitation centres
- companion animal foster care and rescue networks
- veterinary clinics, universities and local governments who provide low-cost or free services in relation to desexing, microchipping and the provision of veterinary care.
Eligibility
Specific eligibility criteria can be found in the Program Guidelines, in the Documents link of this page. If you are not sure if your organisation could be eligible to apply, please email animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Application process
Applications for Round Two of grant funding opened on 13 April 2022 and will close on 13 May 2022.
Prior to applying, applicants are encouraged to read the:
- priorities for Round Two
- application tips and
- example simple and complex application forms, available in the Documents link on this page.
All eligible applications will be assessed by DPIRD according to the criteria in the Program guidelines and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in due course.
Applications can be submitted online via the Smarty Grants link.
Further information
A list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) can be found in the Documents link on this page.
For further information on the grant program, or to register your interest in future rounds, please email animal.welfare@dpird.wa.gov.au. Please include the subject header ‘Animal Welfare Grant Program’.