Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, centre, pictured with Local Government Minister Paul Toole, left, and NSW RSPCA Chief Executive Officer Steve Coleman and RSPCA adopt-a-dog Roxy today.
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has today announced a $15,000 grant from the NSW Government for Moree Plains Shire Council to promote a new responsible pet ownership in the Mungindi community.
Mr Marshall said the funding boost would allow Moree Plains Shire to dramatically increase microchipping and lifetime registration rates of companion animals in the Mungindi district.
“I congratulate council and the community partners on wanting providing this service to the Mungindi community,” Mr Marshall said.
“Pet dogs and cats are important family members of many households around the region.”
Mr Marshall said this new program would build on the success of work done by council in the Boggabilla and Toomelah communities last year.
“Council achieved great success last year and wanted to replicate the program in Mungindi to provide the same services and benefits to local pet owners,” he said.
“Council will partner with both Mungindi schools, the Border Vet Surgery in Goondiwindi, Mungindi Police and Moree Animal Welfare to increase microchipping and registration rates, increase de-sexing rates and reduce the number of menacing and dangerous dogs in the community.
“Moree Plains Shire Council and the state government are committed to improving the positive benefits of pet ownership while strengthening safety in our local neighbourhoods.”
Responsible Pet Ownership Grants were introduced in 2014 for councils to develop tailored programs to increase pet-owner responsibility and target issues addressed in the Companion Animals Taskforce Report.
Mr Marshall said this was the second round of the government’s successful Responsible Pet Ownership Grants Program, which will see around $300,000 go directly to 29 councils to develop dog safety, micro chipping, desexing, and cat and dog registration programs.
RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman has welcomed the second round of grants.
“Anything that improves the rates of pets being vaccinated desexed and micro chipped is something to be applauded.
Applications for Round three of the program will be called in the second quarter of 2016.