Veterinary Vaccination Grants - Round 2
Even before the events in the summer of 2019-2020 many species of Flying-foxes were already classified as vulnerable to extinction or endangered. Flying-foxes are important long range pollinators and crucial to healthy ecosystems.
Earlier this year as a part of WIRES emergency preparedness program, we established a new grant to cover the costs of vaccinations for vet clinic staff nationally. The WIRES Vet Vaccination Grant Program has been developed to cover the costs of Lyssavirus vaccinations for vet clinic staff in all Australian States and Territories.
As veterinary staff must be vaccinated to treat all bats, this program is specifically designed to increase veterinary capacity to treat flying-foxes.
Wildlife rescuers and carers rely heavily on the generosity of veterinary clinics and wildlife hospitals to triage and treat injured flying-foxes. Flying-foxes often come into care with severe injuries from entanglement and swift treatment of these injuries are crucial to their survival.
Flying-foxes are also highly susceptible to heat stress and entire colonies can be severely affected. Unfortunately these events are becoming more common in summer months.
WIRES encourages veterinary staff, especially those located near known flying-fox colonies who are keen to regularly help treat flying-foxes, to become vaccinated and help us save these critical species. We are also keen for the details of this grant program to be shared broadly with the veterinary sector.
Due to the overwhelming interest from Round 1 of our Vet Vaccination Grant Program, we are pleased to announce that Round 2 is now open for applications. If you missed out in Round 1 now is your chance to apply.
This Vaccination Grant Program includes the initial vaccinations required, which will need to be administered by a medical professional.
Applicants will also need to discuss the plans with their doctor to confirm their doctor supports them receiving the vaccinations.
Applications open Monday 23rd August and close Friday 17th September 2021
Eligibility and Assessment Criteria
- Vet Clinic/Hospital has been or is wanting to be actively involved in treating wildlife, specifically flying-foxes and microbats
- Vet Clinic/Hospital is in an area where vet treatment for flying-foxes and microbats is regularly required
- Vet Clinic/Hospital is able to prioritise critical wildlife emergency cases
- Vet Clinic/Hospital is in an area which has high flying-fox populations
- Vet Clinics/Hospitals in areas where heat stress events regularly occur will be given priority
- Applications can contain multiple requests for staff vaccinations, however, only a limited number per approved site may be possible
- A maximum of five staff members per clinic/hospital can be approved and a maximum of ten staff members per 24hr emergency clinic/hospital.
- Regions where additional veterinary support is urgently required will be prioritised
- All applicants must be willing to cover their own costs for consultations and future booster vaccinations required.
- Geographic spread will be taken into account to maximise impact
Applications for the Round 2 Veterinary Vaccination Grants are now closed.
Thank you for your applications and interest.