FUNDING SECURED FOR GWYDIR SHIRE COUNCIL'S PET PROGRAM
Celebrating funding for a new responsible pet ownership program today, Gwydir Shire Council's Saul Standerwick, left, Warialda Vet Clinic's Glen Borrowdale, Gwydir Shire Council Ranger Aaron Brooks, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Nandewar Animal Health Services' Michelle Coulton.
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today announced Gwydir Shire Council would receive a grant of $6,952 from the NSW Government to promote responsible pet ownership in the local community.
Mr Marshall said the funding boost would allow council to educate the community in responsible pet ownership and provided free microchipping and de-sexing for shire residents' pets.
"This 10-month project will be conducted in collaboration with the Nandewar Animal Health Services and Warialda Vet Clinic," Mr Marshall said.
"Council will hold free microchipping days at Bingara, Warialda and Gravesend which will be open to all shire residents and also provide free de-sexing for animals which are re-homed from the council's pound.
"Two additional cages will be purchased and made available to residents wishing to trap straying and feral cats.
Mr Marshall said one of the immediate benefits from the program would be the reuniting of lost and straying pets with their registered owners.
"There will be fewer unwanted animals on the streets which will lead to improved community safety and the education programs will create greater community awareness of responsible pet ownership," he said.
"Providing free microchipping and affordable de-sexing for pet owners who normally can't afford those services is a great benefit to the entire community."
The NSW Government introduced the Responsible Pet Ownership Grants scheme in 2014 to target programs that will increase microchipping, lifetime registration and de-sexing rates.
Mr Marshall said the NSW Government was committed to improving the positive benefits of pet ownership while strengthening safety and education in local neighbourhoods.
"Pet dogs and cats are important family members of many households across our region and it is vital that we are supporting our communities promote responsible pet ownership."