The announcement of funding under the Research Animal Rehoming Grant program, marks a breakthrough for the ex-research animal rehoming movement in Australia.
Liberty Foundation Australia (LFA) was successful in its application for funding under the NSW government program, which will provide vital support for its rehoming mission.
“Liberty Foundation is delighted to be awarded funding as part of this unique grant program, which will help us provide a lifeline for animals moving from research establishments into the community,” said LFA director and founder Paula Wallace.
As the only organisation dedicated to rehoming the full range of domestic species from research establishments in Australia, LFA has been in operation since 2017 and over that time has rehomed more than 900 animals from research. These include dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice and fish.
The grant funding will enable the organisation to scale up its operations and offer more animals than ever before the opportunity to transition from research into the community as pets and companions.
LFA will use the grant funding to establish a pilot rehoming centre for small animals in New South Wales, providing a service for rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and mice.
The organisation also offers a rehoming service for dogs and cats from research establishments, who are placed with foster carers in the community. The funding will also support campaigns to attract volunteers and raise awareness of LFA’s work.
“The new rehoming centre will be a safe haven for animals and a place for the community to come together and support these individuals as they transition to their forever homes,” Ms Wallace said.
The rehoming movement has grown in recent years and organisations such as LFA need assistance to meet the rising demand from research establishments to provide the best possible outcomes for animals after their time in research.
“We are fortunate to have worked with numerous research establishments over the past eight years who have seen the value in rehoming for their organisation and staff and of course the animals in their care,” Ms Wallace said.
“We look forward to working with more establishments in the coming years to ensure rehoming becomes best practice in industry and is offered to all animals who are able to achieve a good quality of life after research.”
It has been a difficult few years for charities such as LFA, with the cost-of-living crisis preventing many households from being able to care for pets and make donations to charitable causes.
“Funding like this is vital for small charities like Liberty Foundation to give us the helping hand we need to scale up our activities and share the wonderful message of rehoming with more people,” Ms Wallace said.
Liberty Foundation Australia’s Coming Home program, is proudly funded by the NSW Government.
