“After receiving a recommendation by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Victoria our kennels received approval from the Agricultural Minister of Victoria”
The brand new kennel facility “Hepburn Park” has been carefully designed to ensure the purposely designed facility and dog breeding program is second to none. Each of our dogs have been carefully selected for health and temperament and are cared for by ourselves and a team of enthusiastic and energetic staff who are passionate about our dogs and the Chevromist breeding program.
Chevromist Kennels is a registered Domestic Animal Business that undergoes regular audits and inspections by Animal Welfare of Victoria as well as the local authority. Our kennels have been approved by the Victorian Agricultural Minister after receiving a recommendation from the Chief Veterinary Officer of Victoria. In order to receive approval from the Victorian Minister we had to undergo a very lengthy process including a 6 hour audit conducted by 4 Victorian Animal Welfare Officers who prepare a detailed report for the Chief Veterinary Officer of Victoria who makes a recommendation to the Minister for Agriculture before approval is finally granted by the Victorian Minister for Agriculture.
This process is necessary to ensure that Victorian Minister Approved Kennels are operating at the very highest of Animal Welfare standards and in time, we hope to see other states and territories around Australia follow Victoria’s example which will prevent “puppy farms” from relocating to states with weak animal welfare laws.
There are many different categories of breeders in Australia and it can be confusing to understand the differences. Unfortunately, just about any body can claim to be a “registered” breeder but this is often misleading. Victoria has the strongest laws in Australia regulating Victorian dog breeders.
We do not allow visits from the general public at Hepburn Park. Although this may seem like an inconvenience it ensures that all puppies at Hepburn Park are protected from viruses and disease which could be introduced into the kennel unintentionally from a visitor who may have just visited another kennel establishment, shelter or pound. It is important to understand that Hepburn Park houses not only adult dogs which have been fully vaccinated but of course we also have many young and vulnerable puppies under the age of 6 weeks that have not been vaccinated.
Understandably many people are disappointed that they cannot visit Hepburn Park however we strongly believe a good breeder will always put the health and safety above trying to sell more dogs. By keeping a degree of separation between where our puppies are born and raised before reaching the appropriate age of vaccination and the general public, we have radically reduced the risk of illness affecting our puppies.
We’ve always taken the position of absolute transparency. The entire team from Chevromist are incredibly proud of our establishment and our dogs. Our kennels have been visited by Local Councillors and the Media. We also had the pleasure of inviting two Victorian Members of Parliament to our kennels. Upper House Member of Parliament Joshua Morris and Upper House Member Jeff Bourman visited and met all of our dogs. They were both extremely impressed with the level of care given to our dogs and the kennel facility.
As a Minister Approved Breeder, we must receive approval from the Chief Veterinary Office of Victoria in order to operate and are under one of Australia’s toughest animal welfare reforms.
We work closely with the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Victoria to ensure full ongoing compliance. This means regular inspections and audits by Animal Welfare Victoria and our local council.
“…I have been to Hepburn Park. I have got to say I was very impressed. Hepburn Park is quite a new facility. The condition of Hepburn Park is — I do not know how to describe it — just beautiful.”
– Victorian Upper House Member of Parliament Jeff Bourman describing our kennels during a parliamentary debate about new legislation in Victoria.
“I was fortunate enough to attend Hepburn Park along with Mr Bourman and see a fabulous establishment, a great family operation doing excellent things”
– Victorian Upper House Member of Parliament Joshua Morris
Victorian Minister Approved Kennels
Over 30 years experience
Domestic Animal Business Permit No: 121/2020/13876
Melton City Council
Source Number: BR109724
