This week groups across central and northern Victoria received community grants from employment organisation CVGT.

CVGT directors board chaiman Rosalie Lake said Bendigo Animal Welfare Services got $1500 to help people struggling with pet bills.

“They are also talking about using their grant on housing for pets when older people need to go to hospital,” she said.

Ms Lake said some people could not rely on family and friends to care for their pets and worried about undergoing medical treatment.

Meanwhile Daylesford-based Hepburn Community Radio will put their $1350 towards desperately needed equipment.

“They’re a fairly new radio station and they’ve had to beg and borrow what that they need,” she said.

“So ... hopefully they can now purchase some more equipment and return a few more items that they’ve borrowed.”