Bendigo Animal Welfare and Community Services is in the process of upgrading and expanding its facilities with the state government grant.

One of the organisation’s major projects will be the construction of a veterinary building at its Huntly North site, with work to begin on Thursday.

President and founder Debbie Edwards said the facility would allow for a veterinarian to visit the site to administer microchips and vaccinations.

“It will be a big time-saver for our volunteers, to be able to work here and take care of animals here, rather than taking them to the vet,” Ms Edwards said.

The veterinary building will have more cages and condos for cats and larger cages for dogs.

Ms Edwards said this meant animals returning to the shelter after surgery would have somewhere suitable to recuperate.

She said it would also minimise the stress of a vet visit, particularly for cats, by doing away with the need for transportation.

It would also mean animals that fell ill could be more effectively isolated, Ms Edwards said, preventing the spread of illness and leading to better welfare outcomes for all animals in the organisation’s care.

The new building will also give the shelter the opportunity to offer discounted services, such as microchipping, vaccinations and desexing, to disadvantaged pet owners.

The funding has also gone towards refurbishing the organisation’s cat boarding area, which has received new paint, plaster, floor coverings and condos to house cats.

Ms Edwards said the funding meant the shelter’s capacity to board animals had increased, which was particularly important given its work with disadvantaged pet owners.

The service works in partnership with other agencies to provide temporary homes for the pets of people going through hardship, such as those going into respite care or experiencing domestic violence.

Ms Edwards said it was important to the organisation, as central Victoria’s only “no-kill” shelter, to be able to boost the number of animals it could take into care.

The shelter can accommodate up to 60 cats and 25 dogs at any one time, and also houses farm animals.

The service also offers boarding services to the wider community, which generates income to support the volunteer-run organisation’s work.

Ms Edwards said the organisation hoped to expand its services and facilities further in the future as more funding became available.

It has recently launched a new fundraising drive, with the aim of raising $4000.

BAWCS was founded in a private home in Strathfieldsaye in 2003 and moved to its current shelter site about four years ago.

The organisation relies on donations, animal sponsorship, grants and boarding income.

For more information, visit the BAWCS website.