A $50,000 grant from the state government has allowed an online animal rescue charity to open its first shelter.
Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) received a $45,000 cheque from Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh last week.
Another cheque for $5000 will follow in two months.
Construction will begin at a site on Adrian Road, Campbellfield, as soon as Hume council approves the necessary planning permits. The shelter will have separate dog and cat wards, quarantine rooms, offices, training facilities and a surgery. It’s expected to be operating by August.
SCAR was one of five successful applicants to receive money from the government’s $1.6 million Animal Welfare Fund.
It was welcome news for founder Marisa Debattista, 29, who started the charity from her West Meadows home in 2009.
The veterinary nurse operates the shelter with the help of a network of more than 100 volunteers and “foster carers”, who provide shelter for animals until they find permanent homes.
They have saved more than 5000 abandoned dogs and cats, and are currently caring for about 350 animals.
The charity also received one of Hume council’s 2014 community grants to address overbreeding. From next month, SCAR will run responsible pet ownership seminars in private homes and schools.
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