Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper said funding from the state government would allow Lake Macquarie City Council to proceed with an innovative plan to promote responsible pet ownership and help those who can least afford it.

The funding will allow the council to modify a council-owned horse float to establish a mobile education and microchipping trailer.

The trailer will visit community events and allow residents in that area to have their animals microchipped for free and register them at the same time.

“The council will now be able to offer cat and dog owners a free mobile microchipping service as well as provide a community education campaign which will target pet health and safety,” Mr Piper said.

The state government introduced the Responsible Pet Ownership Grants scheme in 2014 to target programs that would increase microchipping, lifetime registration and de-sexing rates.

The grants scheme is also aimed at reducing euthanasia rates and dog attacks through funding innovative and collaborative projects which encourage responsible pet ownership.

Mr Piper said the state government scheme was committed to improving the positive benefits of pet ownership while strengthening safety and education in local neighbourhoods.

Minister for Local Government Paul Toole said a record number of applications had been received from the state’s councils for this year’s grants.

RSPCA NSW chief executive officer Steve Coleman welcomed the funding boost.

“These grants in previous years have worked well to improve the lives of animals and their responsible owners,” he said.

“The best part is that the grants allow organisations and individuals to innovate responsible pet ownership away from traditional methods,” Mr Coleman said.