The Green Party today welcomes correspondence by Government to allow animal organisations to access Emergency Management Adult Community Education training funding to support animals in emergencies.
“Kiwis love their pets and in times of crisis it’s important they aren’t forgotten,“ says Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Gareth Hughes.
“Previously, despite having official roles in natural disaster responses, animal groups could not access funding to better prepare their volunteers to support animals in emergencies.
“I wrote to the Minister of Education early August urging equal access to this funding for animal organisations and as a result, I am thrilled that the Minister has confirmed animal they can now apply for funding for training to give their volunteers the skills they need to assist animals.
“We know that in times of crisis, many people risk their lives trying to save their pets so this will improve safety for human and animal alike and will mean we are better prepared as a community when disaster strikes”.