Epping Animal Welfare Facility has a new name – wat djerring Animal Facility – meaning ‘we together’ to reinforce the importance in reuniting pets with their owners and finding new homes.
The new name was chosen in consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
City of Whittlesea chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the new name represented a new era for the facility after it was re-launched under the City of Whittlesea management, in partnership with Merri-bek and Darebin councils.
“The facility operates as the pound for three councils, and we wanted a more inclusive name that acknowledged the cultural heritage of the land on which the facility is located and reflected the purpose of the facility; to reconnect people with their pets and to give animals a fresh start,” she said.
“The new name, pronounced ‘wot jerring’, really captures the strong values our community places on pet ownership and in so doing helps to bring to life the vision for a new beginning for the facility. While the name has changed, the great service provided to our pets at the facility has not.”
In addition, a new visual brand was designed by Aboriginal artist De Greer-Yindimincarlie at YinidiArtz that demonstrates how an animal, despites its challenges, can flourish and thrive with love and care.
Both Darebin and Merri-bek mayors welcomed the renaming of the facility.
Opening hours are between Monday and Friday, inlcuding weekends and public holidays.
For more information, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/animalfacility.
