This grant aims to improve animal welfare outcomes by strengthening NSW’s mobile animal care capacity to respond during natural disasters/emergencies and for proactive provision of animal care services in at-risk locations across regional NSW.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: Up to $2,500,000
- Application opened: 14 October 2022
- Application closed: 11 November 2022, 10:00 am
Program objective
The Mobile Animal Care Services (MACS) Grant Program 2022 aims to improve animal welfare outcomes by strengthening the mobile animal care capacity to respond during natural disasters/emergencies and for proactive provision of animal care services in at-risk locations across regional NSW.
The strategic objectives of the program are to:
- Support the provision of mobile animal welfare assistance to companion animals and livestock during emergency responses when required, to support the NSW Government coordinated response
- Support delivery of routine mobile animal care services to companion animals and livestock through regional community outreach
- Promote positive animal welfare outcomes.
This program is administered by Department of Primary Industries.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Applications for the MACS 2022 grants program must show how projects will deliver on the strategic objectives of the program.
See the 'Address the eligibility criteria' section for detailed criteria.
Who can’t apply
You are ineligible to apply for MACS funding if:
- you are a government entity, including local government
- you only offer wildlife services
- your organisation cannot commit to operating a mobile animal care service for a minimum of 3 years
- you or your organisation hold a criminal conviction for animal cruelty offences or are the subject of criminal proceedings that have commenced for animal cruelty offences.
Types of projects funded under this grant
There are items that you can include in project cost estimates in your MACS grant application:
- new or existing vehicle(s), including upgrade or enhancement of existing vehicle(s)
- direct operating costs for delivery of the mobile facility service operations – including operation and maintenance of the vehicle and salary and expenses for associated staff while undertaking mobile service delivery*
- facilities and equipment that form part of the mobile animal care services e.g., temporary animal housing, refrigeration and storage for supplies and drugs, or power source and backup supplies for servicing remote locations.
* Some exclusions may apply in relation to emergency response work. Costs funded under the grant cannot also be claimed for reimbursement under emergency response reimbursement. Eligible emergency costs not covered by the grant funding can be claimed through AASFA.
What can’t you apply for
There are items that you cannot include in project cost estimates in your MACS grant application:
- passenger vehicles used solely for transport of personnel
- projects with activities and services delivered outside of NSW (some cross-border activity will be considered at the sole discretion of the Department)
- requests to cover costs for existing debts and/or budget deficits
- vehicles utilised solely for wildlife services
- requests for ongoing program funding
- projects and/or activities that are not related to animal welfare.
Example projects
Your organisation may wish to consider the following service types and associated fit-out.
Service types
- Animal ambulance
- Animal first aid
- Portable animal holding and transportation
- Mobile veterinary treatment services
Fit-out
- Communications for remote locations
- Back-up power supply
- Lighting, heating/cooling and ventilation
- Refrigeration
- Secure storage
- Equipment for capture and handling of animals
- Portable animal housing
- Basic diagnostics
Most recent recipients
What your application needs to include
You can download the complete guidelines for applicants
File
MACS 2022 grant program guidelines (PDF 133.42KB).
Prepare your application with this checklist
In your application you will need to describe:
- your project activities
- why you are doing it
- who is involved in delivery
- who it benefits
- the outcomes you hope to achieve.
Applicants can only submit one application and will be required to provide information as detailed in the Application Form to determine their eligibility for the Program, including:
- a project proposal detailing how the applicant and vehicle(s) will support mobile animal care service delivery for companion animals and/or livestock
- a description of the proposed vehicle(s) make/model and the services the vehicle(s) will be used for
- a budget, including any additional sources of funding for the proposal
- a Project Plan including a timeline for delivery, and a Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Plan for the proposal
- expected deliverables and a detailed explanation of how the grant will provide and/or improve animal welfare outcomes across regional NSW
- 3 years accounting statements and/or a business case to support revenue forecasting and expenditure of grant funds.
Address the eligibility criteria
To be eligible for funding applicants must affirm and provide evidence that they:
- hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or other Act
- are a non-government incorporated Not For Profit (NFP) organisation
- hold relevant NSW vehicle registration, or capacity for vehicles to be registered in accordance with applicable legislation
- have capacity to comply with any relevant legislative instruments as appropriate and obtain relevant insurances (e.g. vehicle insurance, public indemnity, workers compensation, etc) (if proposing to provide veterinary clinic services then must also comply with Veterinary Practitioners Board (VPB) of NSW licensing requirements)
- provide evidence of their $20 million Public Liability Insurance or confirmation that a Public Liability Insurance Policy of at least $20 million will be taken out prior to the execution of the Funding Deed
- have ability and are willing to travel to and operate within rural and regional locations across NSW
- are willing to commit to the mobile animal care service for at least 3 years*, including attending and assisting in the NSW Government response to animal welfare emergency situations across NSW (e.g. floods, storms and bushfires) when required**, and undertaking animal welfare assistance through regional community outreach
- have capacity and capability and are willing to provide routine treatment and preventative care for companion animals and/or livestock (such as vaccinations), first aid, mobile/portable holding and transport of companion animals, or mobile veterinary clinic services
- are able to show how the proposed project will deliver on the strategic objectives of the program.
Mobile vehicles must also be:
- able to access sealed or gravel roads; and
- fit for purpose and capable of transporting equipment and/or supplies and/or animals and of operating safely in varying weather conditions.
* Applicants that can demonstrate sustainability of the project beyond 3 years will be highly regarded during assessment.
** Applicants with previous experience in emergency response will be highly regarded during assessment.
Address the assessment criteria
| Criteria | Criteria seeks to determine | Applicants must show |
|---|---|---|
Capability and experience | Proven experience in animal welfare & skilled resources That the applicant has developed processes to ensure good animal welfare practices. That the applicant has diverse experience in animal species. That, given its scope, the project is resourced with experienced and qualified personnel | Provide an overview of the applicant’s experience in delivering positive animal welfare outcomes for a variety of animal species, including mobile service delivery and/or capability Key personnel and partners have appropriate skills and experience, and roles are clearly defined. Note: Applicants with previous experience in |
Capacity and commitment to deliver | Adequacy of resources and planning Given its scope, the project is deliverable within the budget and to projected timeline and quality standards. That key management activities required to ensure a successful project (resourcing, time management, risk management and project management) have been identified and addressed to the appropriate degree. That key engagement activities have been considered to ensure success of the project. | Provide a detailed project plan which includes:
Provide a Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Plan for the project. Readiness to purchase new vehicle(s), upgrade existing vehicle(s), or utilise existing vehicle(s) for additional services and acquit funds by end FY 22/23* *In extenuating circumstances, this may be extended at the sole discretion of the Department having considered the circumstances |
Impact and support of public benefit | Achievement of objectives and public benefit That proposed project completion will achieve the MACS objectives. That community support for the project has been demonstrated and documented. That there are clear ongoing community benefits of the project. | Expected deliverables and how they will contribute to improved animal welfare outcomes, including Benefits the funding will provide to the community, including relevant How the project will improve awareness and understanding of animal welfare. |
| Value for money and financial viability | Project viability and longevity If the proposal is best value for money proposition for meeting the service need. If there are sufficient and appropriate resources allocated to deliver the project. | All costs throughout the life of the project have been identified, quantified (where possible), validated and included in the analysis. Budget includes clear allocation for project management costs and appropriate project reserves (on a per vehicle basis). The ongoing sustainability of the project has been considered and shown to be viable for 3 years minimum. Note: Applicants that can demonstrate sustainability of the project beyond 3 years will be highly regarded. The applicant has the ability to manage cash flows and/or take responsibility for unexpected issues. Capacity to cover any proportion of mobile animal care services not funded by the grant, including evidence of sufficient revenues for ongoing maintenance and operational costs. Most recent 3 years accounting statements and/or a business case to support revenue forecasting and expenditure of grant funds. |
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Director General, Department of Primary Industries - advised by the Department Assessment Panel.
Subject to the below, Applications will be assessed by staff within the Department simultaneously.
If an Application is missing information or is incomplete, the Department may, in its sole discretion, work with applicants to clarify any missing or incomplete information. For post application clarifications, applicants will be required to provide requested information within 48 hours of the request. The Department will not start assessing the Application until, in the Department’s sole opinion, the Application is complete.
Applications will be considered by a Department Assessment Panel, who will provide recommendations to the Director General, Department of Primary Industries who will be the final decision maker. The Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW will announce the successful grantee/s.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications. Successful applicants will be notified by letter of offer and confidentiality document. No binding legal relationship exists between the parties until such time as both parties have signed the Funding Deed.
Unsuccessful Applicants will be provided an opportunity for feedback by the Department.
Support and contact
More information about this Program, including frequently asked questions are available on the Department of Primary Industries website.
If you require assistance or advice with your application, please contact the Department via email.