PET lovers in Worcestershire are being encouraged to put their local animal re-homing centre forward for a grant this year.

Animal re-homing organisations in the county can now apply for financial support from the UK’s largest grant giving animal charity Support Adoption For Pets under its new grant 2016 grant scheme.

To celebrate its 10th year, the independent animal charity has revamped the grants it has available. The launch of the scheme will allow any animal charity that re-homes animals to apply for £4,000 or £10,000.

Grants of £4,000 are available through the new Helping Paws award with the donation to go towards items such as microchips and scanners.

The charity is launching this tier of the year-long grant scheme now ahead of the law change on microchipping in March. There will be 20 of the Helping Paws grants available.

For larger organisations in the area, Support Adoption For Pets will also award ten £10,000 grants to rescues for renovation projects. This can include enrichment paddocks, fencing, exercise areas or renovations to upgrade existing kennels, catteries and animal housings.

Amy Wilson, charity manager at Support Adoption For Pets, said: “We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our 10th birthday than to introduce an exciting new grant scheme.

“The tiered structure means that throughout the year there should be a grant relevant to every re-homing rescue in the country, big and small, starting with these.”

Amy added: “We want to appeal to as many rescues as possible in offering financial aid as every re-homing centre is hugely worthwhile, particularly in its local area.”

Do you know a local centre that could use this funding? If so, visit https://www.supportadoptionforpets.co.uk/grant-application. Applications for both grants close on February 26.

• Support Adoption For Pets has supported over 1,000 animal charities across the UK and Northern Ireland since it was established in 2006. It is the UK’s number one grant giving animal charity.

• In the last year alone, Support Adoption For Pets has raised more than £3.1 million. This money has been used to support rehoming centres continue the vital work they do. For some this has meant a very welcome boost to existing funds. However, for many others it represents something even more important - a financial lifeline - without which they would not have been able to carry on their life-saving work.