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The animal welfare commitment also includes:<\/p>\n
$13.4 million to build six new dog parks – including one in Armstrong Creek – and upgrade up to 22 others<\/p>\n
$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.<\/p>\n
$480,000 for the Zoos Victoria Wildlife Outreach program, supporting regional vets treating sick and injured wildlife<\/p>\n
$5 million in the Animal Welfare Fund, supporting pet shelters, animal rescue and rehoming organisations, and<\/p>\n
Releasing a draft of animal welfare laws in 2023.<\/p>\n
Ms Tierney said supporting wildlife and pet care continued to be vital.<\/p>\n
“During COVID alone, we had a pelican, an echidna and a magpie that needed assistance in my street in St Leonards.<\/p>\n
“Victorians love their wildlife and they want to make sure wild animals are looked after during emergency events like bushfires.<\/p>\n
“It demonstrates that we are the leaders in animal welfare as a government in this country, and we are building upon that today.”<\/p>\n
Ms Marchant said there were a huge amount of pet owners on the Bellarine.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n