If you’re looking for a puppy, you’ve probably come across a lot of breeders promising ‘happy, healthy puppies’. But how do you know who’s really doing the right thing? How do you also know if you’re about to get scammed?
That’s where the Animal Welfare Tick comes in.
At Banksia Park Puppies, we’re proud to be an Approved Dog Breeder, one of the few in Victoria recognised by the state government for meeting the highest standards in animal welfare. But getting (and keeping) that approval isn’t just a formality—it’s one of the most in-depth, challenging processes a breeder can go through. And that’s exactly why it matters.
What Is the Animal Welfare Tick?
The Animal Welfare Tick isn’t a feel-good marketing badge—it’s official recognition from the Victorian Minister for Agriculture that a breeding business is operating at the absolute highest standard. It’s a strict legal status, granted only after passing:
- Local council approval
- A detailed application to the government
- A full inspection by the Animal Welfare Victoria Team
- A 400-point compliance report
- And ongoing reporting and re-inspections
Once approved, breeders must comply with every part of the Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses (2018) and are allowed to keep up to 50 fertile female dogs.
What We Go Through to Earn It
To give you an idea of just how serious this is: this year, four government representatives came down to our property. Some of the team spent two full days at our property—walking every area, checking records, inspecting enclosures, reviewing enrichment programs, auditing vet records, and asking detailed questions about how we meet each and every line of the code. That’s nearly 400 compliance questions we need to answer in detail.
And it’s not just a one-off. We must:
- Submit annual reports on everything from puppy sales and returns to complaints and staff qualifications
- Maintain full-time vet partnerships and public liability insurance
- Ensure our team is highly trained, holding the correct qualifications in animal care
- Operate with full transparency, even when it’s tough
This level of scrutiny is what sets approved breeders apart from backyard operations or unregistered businesses.
Why You Should Always Ask for It
When you buy from an Approved Breeder, you’re choosing:
✅ Dogs raised with health, safety and wellbeing as the top priority
✅ Breeders who are regularly inspected and accountable to government
✅ Transparency and traceability across every step of the process
✅ A business that’s committed to ethical, responsible breeding
It also means you dont have to worry about being scammed. We are all legitimate businesses and you can be sure that we are who we say we are.
And importantly, you can verify our approval online. If someone is using the government-approved logo but isn’t listed—they’re not an approved breeder.
It’s Hard Work—But It’s the Right Work
Being approved isn’t easy. It takes thousands of hours, detailed planning, constant improvement, and full accountability. But we do it because it matters.
It matters to the dogs in our care.
It matters to the families trusting us with their future puppy.
And it matters to the future of responsible breeding in Australia.
So if you’re looking for a puppy, ask the question:
Are you an Approved Commercial Breeder?
And if the answer is no—ask why not.