Animal Welfare in Emergencies Grants for Local Government

Application Form

WALGA has partnered with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to deliver a small grants program to further build the capacity of Local Governments to address animal welfare in emergency situations. DPIRD has provided the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) with $500,000 of funding to deliver the grant program for Local Governments. The program aims to improve the preparedness and response of Local Governments, and their communities, to the impacts of emergencies on animal welfare and biosecurity, and to improve the animal's chances of survival and recovery.

Grants are available up to a maximum of $10,000 (ex GST). Collaboration with other Local Governments is encouraged, and to that end a collaborative grant is offered, which provides up to $5000 (ex GST) per number of Local Governments within the collaboration - i.e a collaboration of 5 Local Governments = a maximum Grant allocation of $25,000 (ex GST).

Background

The Animal Welfare in Emergencies Grants for Local Government program aims to support the WA State Government’s State Support Plan-Animal Welfare in Emergencies initiative. In 2019, DPIRD collaborated with the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC), hazard management agencies, controlling agencies, and the Animals in Emergencies Working Group to prepare the State Support Plan - Animal Welfare in Emergencies. Following a State-level exercise, Exercise Eqqus, held in September 2019, the Plan was endorsed by the SEMC.

DPIRD is assigned as the primary agency for coordinating animal welfare services in emergencies in WA. In 2019, DPIRD hosted two workshops with Local Governments to determine their preparedness for animal welfare in emergencies, and identify priorities to be included in a Local Plan for Animal Welfare in Emergencies Guide and Template.

Research shows that the connection between people and their animals can be strong and diverse and that the bonds people have with animals will influence their decision-making and behaviour during an emergency (for example, failing to relocate to a safer place if they cannot take their pets with them). People will often put themselves at risk for animals in emergencies even if those animals are not their own. This risk-taking can lead to dangerous or fatal consequences. In responding to an emergency, the primary aim is to protect the safety of people and in order to fulfil this aim, actions must be taken to address animal welfare.

The National Planning Principles for Animals in Disasters identifies that outcomes for animals and their owners or carers could be improved through:

a) the integration of animal welfare considerations into general emergency response planning; and
b) recognition of the support, and role of, Local and State Governments.

To apply for the Animal Welfare in Emergencies Grants for Local Government program, please fill out and submit the application form below.

View the Program Guidelines here.

For further questions, please contact the WALGA Emergency Management Team on (08) 9213 2082.

The Emergency Management team will send a copy of the completed application form to your Local Government.