Pascoe Vale electorate
Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (14:49): (701) My constituency question is to the Minister for Agriculture. How is the Victorian Labor government’s animal welfare grants program helping to support animal welfare outcomes across my community? Project Underdog Rescue is a small but mighty community-based not-for-profit animal welfare charity that was first established in 2015 and is situated on Sydney Road in Coburg. Founded by the wonderful Eva Giuretis, Project Underdog proudly recognises that animals are sentient beings. They run a range of animal welfare and rescue initiatives that support vulnerable or anxious pets, including Melbourne’s first fear-free certified mobile vet clinic; helping pets in palliative care with special needs; working with animals, doctors, foster carers and volunteers providing a gold standard of care; and dedication to ensuring each animal is placed into a suitable foster home or perfect forever home. Project Underdog really does provide a truly holistic approach. That is why I was so pleased to announce $63,500 to improve facilities there, including an area for dog assessments, new cat enclosures, an education space and improved storage capacity. I commend the entire Project Underdog team, including Eva, Tom and Kate, for their work, and I look forward to receiving the minister’s response.