This is a program with expansive reach, deep substance and pilot testing to ensure it works. For responsible breeders, there should be no more important business practice than ensuring the health and well-being of their dogs.
COLUMBUS, OH (PRWEB) November 15, 2017
Consumers considering adding a dog to their family should ask their breeder or local pet store whether they support a nationwide effort to raise the bar on the care of dogs raised by breeders. Canine Care Certified™ is a new, voluntary program that sets rigorous, science-based standards for responsible dog breeders, providing an additional level of assurance for consumers that the physical, social and behavioral needs of their dog and its parents were attended to by the certified breeder. The first puppies to be raised by certified breeders are now available at limited retail locations.
The Canine Care Certified™ program is based on Standards of Care, developed and led by Dr. Candace Croney, director of Purdue’s Center for Animal Welfare Science in collaboration with other researchers at Purdue and peer-reviewed by animal scientists, veterinarians and canine welfare experts. The standards were developed in 2013 at the request of a group of responsible breeders seeking to differentiate themselves from breeders who have not maintained and continuously improved best practices for animal care. The Canine Care Certified™ program is voluntary and a way for breeders to assure the public that they are doing the right thing for their dogs.
“This is a program with expansive reach, deep substance and pilot testing to ensure it works. For responsible breeders, there should be no more important business practice than ensuring the health and well-being of their dogs,” said. Dr. Candace Croney, director of Purdue’s Center for Animal Welfare Science. “We took a hard, thorough look at the welfare status of the dogs we studied, public expectations and the relationship of breeders with their dogs. This research directly impacted the standards that address the dogs’ physical and behavioral health, and participating breeders have experienced significant, positive outcomes for their animals.”
Canine Care Certified™ provides consumers with valuable insight to enhance confidence in their breeder. Certification in good standing means the breeder has passed a rigorous, independent audit that evaluates the breeder’s location and animal care practices. Consumers seeking to purchase a dog from a breeder or retail store should ask to see a copy of the dog’s certification paperwork and look for the Canine Care Certified™ seal.
“We believe in the importance of pet choice and ensuring dogs from breeders are well cared for,” said Joe Watson, CEO of Petland and early supporter of Canine Care Certified. “When adding a new member to your family, it is important that you are able to choose the dog that best fits your family, whether it is a purpose-bred dog with a specific temperament or one that is hypoallergenic. Our stores across the country have begun partnering with certified breeders, and we look forward to seeing even more breeders join the program because it is the right thing to do.”
Several pilot breeders who participated in the Purdue research have passed the independent, third-party audit to become Canine Care Certified™, and a number of other breeders are in the process of implementing the Standards of Care in preparation for audit. Dogs raised by certified breeders are now available across 18 states in the U.S.
“It is important for us to participate in Canine Care Certified™ because we are committed to always exceeding expectations and improving the lives of dogs. Through our participation in the program, we have improved our documentation practices, enhanced public perception and awareness about responsible dog breeding, and obtained outside verification of our high standards for the care of the dogs and puppies we raise,” said Terry Buening of My PawPaws Puppies, one of the first breeders to receive certification. “This has been a heartwarming and comforting process for the new pet families we are working with daily. They don’t have to assume anything about how the dog was raised. It’s laid out for them in the standards.”
Consumers are encouraged to ask their breeder if they plan to seek certification. They also should ask local pet stores to encourage their breeders to participate in certification. For more information, please visit http://www.CanineCareCertified.org.
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Contact: Katie Sabatino, Katie(at)InspirePRGroup(dot)com
Editor’s note: Interviews and tours of breeder locations are available on request. Interviews with Dr. Croney and with other animal welfare experts also are available. Photos can be provided.
