Innovation & Sustainability
AMRRIC is committed to innovation and sustainability, developing practical, community-driven solutions that strengthen animal health, biosecurity, and wellbeing in remote regions. By combining cultural responsiveness with cutting-edge tools, AMRRIC ensures lasting impact for communities, animals, and ecosystems.
Recent Projects
Biosecurity
Pilot Project
Needs
Assessment
Biosecurity Pilot Project
From 2021–2024, AMRRIC partnered with 25 remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Northern Australia to strengthen companion animal biosecurity surveillance. The project delivered 41 community-wide animal health censuses, where local staff were trained and supported to collect surveillance data using the AMRRIC App while veterinarians provided on-the-ground treatments, first aid, and advice. This “no survey without service” approach ensured immediate benefits for animals and their owners, while building community trust and awareness of biosecurity.
Across the project, 126 participants were trained, 328 Indigenous employment days were generated, and nearly 7,400 animals received treatment. The project’s evaluation confirmed that all anticipated outcomes were achieved or exceeded, with the project improving animal health, enhancing local capacity for surveillance, and fostering collaboration between stakeholders. Importantly, 84.6% of partner funding
Biosecurity Pilot Project
was directed to Indigenous-controlled organisations, and every grant dollar leveraged an additional 35 cents in value. Community partners strongly endorsed the model, highlighting the benefits of combining animal health services with biosecurity surveillance.
The evaluation also demonstrated the broader value of the approach. Partners reported that tangible improvements in animal health increased trust and engagement, encouraging communities to actively participate in biosecurity efforts. The project provided meaningful employment, created pathways for Indigenous Rangers and Environmental Health Workers to expand their roles, and strengthened networks between local governments, Indigenous organisations, and national biosecurity authorities. Feedback emphasised the need for longer-term resourcing and more frequent delivery, underscoring the project’s importance for sustainable animal and community health.
Learn more here.
Animal Management
Needs Assessments
AMRRIC partners with Indigenous Local Government Authorities (LGA) to undertake Animal Management Needs Assessments. These assessments involve AMRRIC staff working alongside local Animal Control or Environmental Health Officers to undertake a community-wide dog and cat census, interview key local staff and evaluate the facilities and equipment available to support each LGA’s animal management program. Information collected through each needs assessment is reported back to each participating LGA, as well as collated into an advocacy report. Dog and Cat Census: AMRRIC’s Project Officer visits each community to work alongside the LGAs’ animal management worker (AMWs) or other staff. Using the AMRRIC App, every household is visited to record animal numbers and health status. Whilst engaging with animal owners and recording details, antiparasitic treatments are administered to each dog and cat. Needs assessment surveys: The Project Officer conduct surveys with AMW’s, nominated management and council representatives.
There is also a facilities checklist and a de-identified survey, if people wish to provide anonymous feedback. These surveys can be carried out during the census visit or can be emailed for completion.
This project benefits participating councils in the following ways:
- Comprehensive Animal Management Needs Assessment Report
- On-ground training and support for LGA Animal Management staff in undertaking a companion animal census and distributing anti-parasitic treatments
- Anti-parasitic treatment for each dog and cat in the community supplied thanks to AMRRIC’s supports and corporate partners
- Demonstration of commitment to continuous improvement by participating in evaluation of current animal management strategies
- Contributing to high level advocacy with the aim of securing sustainable and appropriate resourcing for remote Indigenous LGA animal management activities
