Pet Leadership Council Endorses New National Dog Breeder Certification Program- Canine Care Certified
Greenwich, CT (PRWEB) August 04, 2016 -- The Pet Leadership Council (PLC), an organization comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare advocates, veterinarians, and academia, is announcing its support for Canine Care Certified, a new national, voluntary program that sets rigorous, science-based standards for professional breeders. The Canine Care Certified program was developed after three years of research at Purdue University’s Center for Animal Welfare Science and was peer-reviewed by animal scientists and canine welfare experts from major academic institutions.
“We must be committed to offering consumers puppies that are bred and raised in a responsible and humane environment that is focused on the welfare of the animals,” said Bob Vetere, PLC Chairman. “Dog breeding operations have to be accountable for the physical and mental needs of the dogs and ensure that they receive appropriate housing, shelter, staffing, nutrition, socialization, sanitation, exercise, and veterinary care. The Canine Care Certified program will now provide clear standards and assurance for professional breeders and consumers that a dog or puppy is raised in a healthy environment that positions the animal for success in transitioning to home life.”
The PLC applauds the efforts of the Center for Canine Welfare and the unprecedented Canine Care Certified program to establish animal welfare standards that go above and beyond existing programs. The program is built on five pillars of care for dogs and puppies in a professional breeding environment, including physical health, environment, behavioral health, breeding life and retirement and caretaker expectations. Of equal importance is the program’s independent, third-party auditing, which assures participating breeders are in compliance with program standards.
Steve King, President of the Pet Industry Distributors Association said, “Without a trusted, responsible and transparent source to acquire a pet, prospective pet owners can sometimes unknowingly turn to substandard, irresponsible breeders. The pet industry does not support sources of pets that do not meet quality standards and is thrilled to now have a national certification program that establishes stringent standards for professional breeders.”
“Scientific research on the human health benefits of pets is clear – pets are good for people, families and communities,” said Steven Feldman, Executive Director for the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI). “Working together, we can educate people and help them choose the right pet, one that has been raised with a focus on physical and behavioral health and well-being, to bring the benefits of the human-animal bond into their lives.”
"The PLC is encouraged by and strongly supports the work conducted by Dr. Candace Croney and the Purdue Center for Animal Welfare Science to establish science-based standards for breeders that will raise the care and welfare of their animals,” said Doug Poindexter, President of the World Pet Association.
The PLC encourages the entire pet industry to support and promote the high standards of animal care and welfare developed at Purdue University and incorporated into the standards of Canine Care Certified program, because they promote transparent and responsible breeding practices.
More information on the Canine Care Certified program can be found here –
https://caninecarecertified.org
###
About the Pet Leadership Council:
The Pet Leadership Council is made up of pet industry leaders, animal welfare, veterinarians and academia and advocates for pets and those who serve and support them by promoting responsible pet ownership and educating the public on efforts to improve the health and well being of companion animals.
Tierra Bonaldi, The Impetus Agency, +1 (775) 322-4022, [email protected]
Share this article