Queensland Government supports animal exhibitors through COVID-19 pandemic with $250,000 in grants 

The Queensland Government has provided almost $250,000 in grants to 34 businesses that exhibit animals to ensure they can maintain proper standards of care for their animals during the COVID-19 response.

Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner said throughout the COVID-19 emergency response, the state government had offered wide-ranging support to all manner of businesses struggling with the impacts of the virus.

He explained “Queensland’s exhibited animal industry was no exception, with the challenges of caring for so many different animals during business closure restrictions.

“Through the Emergency Animal Welfare COVID-19 Exhibited Animal Assistance Program we especially wanted to support smaller operators, such as mobile exhibits and small-scale wildlife parks, which were not eligible for the larger funding packages.  

“Since we opened the Program in June, we have made available $234,300 in support funds.

“This has allowed the operators to meet their animal welfare obligations and cover operational expenses throughout this difficult period.”

Advising that support for a wide range of Queensland businesses and industries was playing an important role in economic recovery, Minister Furner added "we are continuing to manage the health response well and that means we can continue to deliver Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.”

Eligible expenses under the Emergency Animal Welfare – COVID-19 Exhibited Animal Assistance Program were limited to:

1. Food for authorised exhibited animals.

2. Veterinary care and animal care services for authorised exhibited animals.

3. Operational expenses (other than existing staff wages). The purpose of allowing these expenses is to provide for critical operational overheads to sustain and maintain the animal welfare components of the business.

Examples might include making urgent repairs to an animal enclosure for animal welfare or safety (either yourself or by hiring a contractor or tradesperson, and not general repairs), cost for cleaning enclosures or personnel protective equipment to be used while feeding and caring for animals.

The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for administering the Assistance Program.

Image of Tropical North Queensland Kuranda Koala Gardens (illustrative only).