Millicent Spencer
Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) has secured a $1500 community grant to support its pet outreach program.
Since opening in 2008 the Craigieburn shelter has rescued and rehomed over 12,000 cats and dogs.
Chief executive and founder of SCAR Marisa Debattista said the grant will help the shelter support community members with pets before they choose to surrender them.
“Our program addresses some of the deeper social issues leading to the increasing number of homeless animals in our community and keeps families together and pets happy and healthy in their homes,” she said.
“SCAR has always aspired to take a preventative approach to pet homelessness in Victoria rather than the band aid approach of rescuing and rehoming, a cycle which is difficult to break.”
Ms Debattista said with the cost of living rising, the shelter has seen an increased number of surrenders.
“We rescue 60-100 animals every month (but) more at the moment due to the kitten season,” she said.
“There have been more surrenders lately as more people are struggling to survive due to financial, accommodation and other hardships.”
SCAR is just one of the 15 not for profit groups in Donnybrook and Craigieburn awarded financial grants from the Donnybrae Community Fund.
Dennis Family Corporation, the developer of Donnybrae estate, executive general manager Peter Ryan said the corporation was proud to support local communities.
“We believe their efforts greatly contribute towards the liveability of our estates,” he said.
