Labor commits to more support for pets

A NEW wildlife hospital will be built in south-west Victoria as part of a suite of measures to support Victoria’s pets and wildlife if Labor retains power at the November 26 poll.

Last week, Labor committed $4.7 million towards the hospital’s design, start-up and running costs.

Agriculture Minister, Labor Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney visited Cherished Pets Community Veterinary Care in Ocean Grove with Labor candidate for Bellarine Alison Marchant to discuss Labor’s overall $26.5 million animal welfare policy pledge with the clinic’s staff.

Ms Tierney said a final location for the wildlife hospital was yet to be locked in, but “the conversations that had taken place so far” with Zoos Victoria and animal sanctuaries had earmarked Anglesea, Lorne or Colac as likely locations.

Labor is also pledging $2 million to support low-cost vet clinics, which was welcomed by Cherished Pets Community Veterinary Care founder and director Dr Alicia Kennedy.

“People don’t understand the cost of good vet care,” Dr Kennedy said.

“It’s very hard running a profitable vet practice… the overheads are very high, so you’ve got this tension playing out every day around money.”

The animal welfare commitment also includes:

$13.4 million to build six new dog parks – including one in Armstrong Creek – and upgrade up to 22 others

$960,000 to continue the Wildlife Emergency Support Network, which brings together wildlife rescuers, rehabilitators and carers with vets and zookeepers to respond to wildlife emergencies.

$480,000 for the Zoos Victoria Wildlife Outreach program, supporting regional vets treating sick and injured wildlife

$5 million in the Animal Welfare Fund, supporting pet shelters, animal rescue and rehoming organisations, and

Releasing a draft of animal welfare laws in 2023.

Ms Tierney said supporting wildlife and pet care continued to be vital.

“During COVID alone, we had a pelican, an echidna and a magpie that needed assistance in my street in St Leonards.

“Victorians love their wildlife and they want to make sure wild animals are looked after during emergency events like bushfires.

“It demonstrates that we are the leaders in animal welfare as a government in this country, and we are building upon that today.”

Ms Marchant said there were a huge amount of pet owners on the Bellarine.

“The fact that we’re here and the busyness of this clinic shows that there’s families who love their pets here, and this is all about supporting them.”