Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grant - Round 1 - FY25/26

To be eligible you must:

• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN) for an entity that is registered and based in NSW
• Have a bank account with an Australian financial institution
• Be seeking a minimum funding amount of $10,000
• Operate animal welfare or rehoming services within the State of NSW.
• Currently hold $10 million in public liability insurance cover and provide a copy of the certificate of currency for this with your application, or be willing to attain cover prior to entering into a funding agreement
• Have acquitted any funding previously received under the 2023 Competitive Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grant program

You must be one of the following non-government organisations:

• A designated rehoming organisation under section 88B of the Companion Animals Act 1998
• A rehoming organisation or approved animal welfare organisation as defined under section 5 of the Companion Animals Act 1998 (except for a council or any other operator of a council pound) and which is actively involved in companion animal rehoming activities.
• A registered charity predominantly involved in companion animal rehoming activity, including work that assists in preventing companion animals entering the rehoming system or providing support in an emergency or crisis.
• A registered charity that provides low-cost veterinary services, including free or low-cost desexing.
• A registered charity that promotes responsible pet ownership education and awareness-raising.
• A registered charity involved in building and maintaining community foster care networks.

For the avoidance of doubt, a registered charity refers specifically to a charity organisation registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC).

For a grant activity to be eligible it must be for one of the following activities:

• Improve the rates of reuniting companion animals to their owners and rehoming of companion animals.
• Training, services, systems or equipment that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of companion animal rehoming.
• Provision of animal relief services during an emergency or crisis.
• Veterinary treatment, including desexing, microchipping, vaccinations and any other medical treatments.
• The provision of services to deliver training or rehabilitation for a dog or cat to enable future rehoming opportunities.
• Education programs on responsible ownership of animals, including consideration of ethics, sentience and duty of care.
• Upgrade or extension of current facilities to improve the welfare of companion animals.

Outcome - Achieve value for money

Efficient and effective grants design and delivery

Funded organisation is capable of delivering activities on time and within budget

Funds are used for intended purposes

Funded activities align with NSW Government policy principles

Outcome 2 - Improve animal welfare outcomes in NSW

Reduce euthanasia rates across NSW

Reduce number of animals requiring rehoming in NSW

Increase rates of companion animal desexing

Increase rates of successful animal rehoming in NSW

Increase registrations of companion animals on NSW Pet Registry

Improved outcomes for companion animals impacted by an emergency or crisis

Improved chances of animal rehoming through behavioural training and intervention

Outcome 3 - Sustainable delivery of companion animal rehoming services

Development of innovative approaches to rehoming and animal welfare services across NSW

Enhanced approaches to service delivery by recipient organisations

Reduce capacity burden on council pounds

Outcome 4 - Support eligible organisations to build capability and capacity for companion animal rehoming in NSW.

Expand capacity of approved non-government organisations to undertake animal welfare and rehoming activities.

Educational activities leading to increased awareness of responsible pet ownership obligations

Funding may only be incurred on eligible or agreed activities. All eligible costs will be paid exclusive of GST.

To be eligible, costs must:

• be a direct cost related to the eligible grant activities or project/service delivery requirements
• be incurred within the project period
• reflect competitive market rates
• be a true and accurate reflection of costs required to deliver the activity.

You are not eligible to apply if you are:

• insolvent
• an individual
• a sole trader
• partnership
• An animal welfare charity not currently registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC)
• A rehoming organisation not currently approved as a designated organisation by OLG as at 20 September 2025
• a Commonwealth, state, territory or local government agency or body excluding government corporate entities.

Additionally, any organisation is ineligible to apply if they have any members, staff or carers who:

• have ever been charged, convicted or been subject to a penalty notice in respect of, an offence against the:

o Animal Research Act 1985

o Companion Animals Act 199

o Companion Animals Regulation 2018

o Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986

o Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979

• have ever operated a premises where animals have been kept or controlled and been subject to a Council order relating to the care and control of animals.
• have been declared bankrupt within the past ten years or been subject to any other insolvency administration or fraud convictions.

The grant cannot be used for the following activities:

• the purchase of land or property
• rental fees or leases
• costs incurred in the preparation of a grant application or related documentation
• overseas travel
• the covering of retrospective costs
• salaries or wages
• Depreciation expenses
• projects or activities outside of NSW
• projects requiring ongoing funding from the NSW Government
• projects that are ongoing or constitute the normal course of business, such as utilities fees
• routine maintenance costs
• activities that will not be delivered prior to the end of the grant funding period
• legal fees
• cash prizes or commercial gifts