Five dedicated animal rehoming organisations across the Hunter are sharing in more than $150,000 in funding, delivered as part of the first round of the NSW Government’s $6 million Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grants program.
This funding will inject critical support into the sector to boost the welfare and rehoming of cats and dogs across the region—supporting projects like the construction of a new cattery, subsidising desexing, microchipping and vaccination.
Successful grant recipients in the Hunter include:
- Hunter Valley Animal Facility & Rehoming Centre – $46,440
- Central Coast Animal Care Facility T/As Maitland Animal Rehoming Centre – $32,940
- Blackroo Community Indigenous Corporation – $29,700
- The Stay Foundation – $24,300
- Hunter Valley Cat Haven – $18,900
The $6 million program, administered by the Office of Local Government, will allocate $1.5 million each year to eligible organisations over a four-year period through a competitive grant process.
Rehoming and rescue organisations play a critical role in cat and dog welfare in NSW. Their work is largely delivered by volunteers who are the lifeblood of these organisations.
They play an essential role taking pressure off council pounds, reducing euthanasia rates, and giving vulnerable cats and dogs a second chance at life through their rescue efforts.
Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:
“This is a big win for the Hunter. It’s real support for the people on the ground doing important community work.
“These organisations are the backbone of animal welfare in our region – run by passionate locals who step up every day to give animals a second chance.
“This funding means more support where it matters – more animals cared for, more families helped and stronger communities right across the Hunter.”
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:
“These grant recipients are doing outstanding work. They’re giving their own time and resources to care for vulnerable cats and dogs across Cessnock and Singleton. That says a lot about the kind of community we have here and the selfless nature of this local community.
“Beyond giving animals a second chance, these organisations are supporting local families with essential pet supplies, helping keep pets where they belong—at home and in caring hands.
“Their tireless efforts are saving lives every day. I’m proud to congratulate all the grant recipients in the Hunter region and thank them for the difference they’re making in their communities.”
Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said:
“I am pleased to see local organisations receiving funding to be able to continue the vital work they do to give discarded animals a second chance.
“This funding will not only help our wonderful volunteers to meet the critical needs in the sector but also support projects such as desexing, microchipping and the construction of infrastructure.”
Hunter Valley Animal Facility and Rehoming Centre President Peta Smith said:
“This funding is an immense help. It’s a lifeline that means we can now build a cattery on our property to house more than 20 cats at a time, helping to keep these precious animals off the street and away from harm.
“We’re all volunteers, so we rely on funding to help us meet the growing demand for animal rescue in the Hunter. This grant will also help us upgrade our power supply, ensuring our cats and kittens have a comfortable and secure environment year-round.”
Blackroo Community Indigenous Corporation Chairman Steven Fordham said:
“We have many Aboriginal families across Muswellbrook and the Upper Hunter who love their pets unconditionally. But for some families, the cost of important preventative veterinary care, such as desexing, can be a real barrier.
“This funding will help us strengthen our existing partnerships with local veterinary services so we can provide more affordable desexing support. We are determined to help prevent unwanted litters and ensure pets remain safe, healthy, and at home with the people who love them.”
The Stay Foundation Managing Director Jesse Reinhard said:
“Our goal is to keep pets away from pounds and rescue organisations in the first place, and this funding will help us provide vulnerable pet owners essential veterinary services in the Newcastle and Hunter region.
“This money will make a tangible difference to so many pets and owners’ lives. It will help us provide subsidised desexing, vaccinations, and microchipping for approximately 74 pets, including 40 dogs and 34 cats, whose owners cannot afford preventative veterinary care.
“This is life-saving money, we’re grateful as it means we can keep this initiative running and save people from the devastating decision to surrender their pets due to financial hardship.”
