QRIC grants set to support racing animal welfare

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) is set to open its first Racing Animal Welfare (RAW) grants program from 1 July 2019.

Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the new Queensland-wide RAW grants program to fund eligible projects of up to $10,000 each would help to deliver on the Commission’s animal welfare priorities.

“This grants program is a great new way for the Government, through QRIC, to support the delivery of community-based animal welfare initiatives for racing animals,” he said.

“There’s some excellent, grassroots animal welfare work being done right across Queensland and we’re calling on those already working in this space to apply for funding support through this program.

“The RAW grants program is a smart way to support organisations, particularly racing animal retirement and rehoming groups, who work to promote animal welfare initiatives.

“This program will build on QRIC’s own animal welfare initiatives including the highly successful Greyhound Adoption Program, GAP.”

Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett said the grants program was a win-win for the animal racing community, for the Commission and for animal welfare.

“By supporting organisations that are already doing great work in the community, we amplify the work of the Commission and improve animal welfare outcomes to a greater extent than we could on our own,” he said.

“The result will be a state-wide animal welfare community, sharing knowledge, coordinating and maximising retired racing animal welfare efforts.”

Applications will be invited from 1 July 2019 until 31 August 2019 for projects commencing from 1 January 2020. Commission staff will be available to support applicants through the application process, with applicants to be notified of results mid-November 2019.

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