THE SOUTH East Animal Welfare League will be business as usual after Mount Gambier City Council backed a three-year funding deal.
At Tuesday night’s monthly meeting, City Council elected members voted to provide $45,000 to the facility annually, which along with a $15,000 yearly contribution from Grant District Council, will keep the organisation afloat for at least three years.
League president Trevor Twilley said the funding announcement was a relief following what he described as continuous battles with both councils in recent months.
“This funding will allow the board to readjust their priorities as we can now focus on securing funding for our rebuild plans,” he said.
“We have had to dig into these savings, as well as put the rebuild on the backburner because of the funding debates.
“But now that is over, we have some certainty and some direction as to where we are going now.”
Mr Twilley said the funding will support the organisation’s general operational costs, including escalating veterinary bills.
“Per year we would spend up to $50,000 on vet bills alone,” Mr Twilley said.
“This includes treatment, micro-chipping and desexing to prepare the animals for adoption.”
Mr Twilley said the organisation would now focus on securing further funding streams for their ambitious rebuild plans, including under the Building Better Regions Fund scheme.
Focusing on infrastructure builds such as another isolation area for its cats as well as a cattery, storage and other general facilities, Mr Twilley is positive about the future of the league.
“We are pleased with the outcome because if it were the one year agreement it would have just made uncertainty once again and we would have put the rebuild on the back burner,” he said.
“It is great council has decided to assist us, as there will always be a need for the animal welfare league.”
Gambier Vets Dr Stuart Skirving, who works alongside the animal charity, was pleased the funding had been announced.
“It is certainly a positive move for the council to provide funding for the league as they do a great job in re-homing and caring for strays,” he said.
“They need the support in doing that and it will enable them to provide more treatment for the animals.”
Mr Skirving said most of the animals the organisation brings into the clinic are healthy, only needing to be micro-chipped and desexed before they are able to be rehomed.
“It is great the council has recognised the need for the increased support and they are giving it to SEAWL so they can continue their service,” he said.
