Bendigo Bank launches Give them a Voice Appeal

Bendigo Bank has partnered with animal welfare organisation Animal Aid to the launch the Give them a Voice Appeal.

The appeal will raise funds to assist Animal Aid in its efforts to build a new centre, which will enable the not-for-profit organisation to more than double the number of animals it cares for each year.

Animal Aid General Manager Nell Thompson said the organisation has been operating since 1938 and is committed to caring for Victoria’s lost, abandoned and surrendered animals.

“Animal Aid provides a range of services for animals from right across Victoria,” Ms Thompson said.

“We are the only organisation in Australia – and one of only a few in the world – which provides an all inclusive shelter, training facility, education centre, boarding, veterinary service and emergency response. “We have an open shelter policy and never refuse an animal. We also don’t believe in euthanising animals and play a major role assisting companion animals and their owners during emergencies such as bushfires and floods,” she said.

The Give them a Voice Appeal aims to help Animal Aid raise the $3 million it needs to completer stage two of its redevelopment project which will see new facilities built for cats, kittens, rabbits and other small animals.

To kick start the appeal seven Community Bank® branches in the Yarra Ranges region have united to donate $50,000. This sum has been matched by the Bank’s philanthropic arm Community Enterprise Foundation™ to take the day one tally to $100,000.

Bendigo Bank Victorian State Manager Vicky Pearce said the partnership was another example of how the Bank and its Community Bank® partners are committed to delivering significant benefits to local communities.

“Our customers and the people in the communities we worth with believe the protection of animals is important.

This was particularly evident during our Black Saturday Appeal, with so many donations flagged to go towards helping animal welfare organisations in communities impacted by the disaster.

“The Bank wants to continue to support organisations such as Animal Aid in its mission to provide care and a home for animals that have no where else to go,’’ Ms Pearce said.

To donate to the Give them a Voice Appeal visit any Bendigo Bank branch or online www.bendigobank.com.au/foundation/animalaid.