Pound-for-pound, animal shelter the best

Shelter as part of the Pet Insurance Australia Companion Animal Rescue Awards.

Run by animal rescue program Pets4Life, the awards aim recognise the best government and NGO operators in the space.

The Ballarat Animal Shelter was nominated for improvements in the welfare of its rescued, abandoned and rehomed animals.

“This is a fantastic reward that will be very well received by the City of Ballarat, particularly for so much hard work and love invested in their work by our Animal Shelter staff,” said City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney.

“It really is a team effort from the veterinary care to our dedicated staff, through to the volunteers and public that so generously donate.

“The City of Ballarat has always recognised just how important the welfare of our animals is.”

Pet adoption advocate and founder of Pets4Life, Cathy Beer, said the awards were hotly contested by many groups doing great work in the animal welfare space.

“The Rescue Awards has been very competitive with outstanding entries across 10 categories, which made it very challenging for the judges,” she said.

“Our amazing winners demonstrated excellence and innovation in their approach to improving the lives of companion animals during these difficult times.”

Meanwhile the City has opened public consultation a new animal shelter that could better service the region.

Currently the municipal shelter is housed in an 80-year-old former abattoir building and takes in about 2000 animals from surrounding local government areas.

Cr Moloney said the City of Ballarat is lobbying the State Government for help building a new, purpose-built facility in Michell Park.

“We’re encouraging residents who value this vital service to show their support for a regional animal facility by taking a brief survey at the City of Ballarat’s mySay site,’ he said.

“A new facility will enhance the quality of life and standard of care delivered to the thousands of stray, lost, abandoned, or abused animals from around the region that pass through the City of Ballarat’s animal shelter each year.”