The human-animal bond is the center of everything “pet,” and there’s no better resource than HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Institute) to learn about its breadth and depth. Over the past 25 years, the bond has changed everything about Americans and their pets, especially dogs and cats. It elevated the mission of veterinarians, veterinary schools, the pet industry and pet owners. Now we must ensure that every American has an opportunity to experience it.
Little attention is paid to how we raise dogs and how families acquire them. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise for two reasons:
- We always assumed that plenty of puppies would be available for every American household at reasonable prices. Therefore, there hasn’t been a compelling reason to understand or ensure that the supply of quality puppies is stable.
- The issue of dog breeding has been politicized to such an extent that few people want to touch it. When the pejorative phrase “puppy mills” pops up, the conversation stops.
If we are committed to universal access to quality family dogs at prices Americans can afford, then we must discuss where and how to find enough puppies to meet the demand. And as medical care providers for the 45% of American households owning dogs, veterinarians must join the conversation or, better yet, lead it.
What do I mean? How many veterinarians guide a person or family wanting to know which canine breed to acquire and where to find it? Are veterinarians trained to advise potential owners about what to look for in a dog or how to evaluate the choices? Does the subject receive attention in veterinary schools? Are veterinary students trained to provide medical care and guidance for dog breeders, whether hobby, backyard or commercial? Do veterinarians know where to start in thinking about these issues?
The Answer
Thanks to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, we can now answer that last question with a resounding “Yes!” Let me explain so you’ll see why this is a big deal and a significant advance for dogs in the United States.
Purdue’s veterinary college operates the Center for Animal Welfare Science, led by Dr. Candace Croney. She has tackled the challenge of humanely breeding dogs for years and has developed a solution. Owned by Purdue, it’s called Canine Care Certified.
We finally have a scientifically sound, practical and affordable program to end the debate over puppy mills and provide Americans with a tool to ensure access to quality, humanely bred puppies. Dr. Croney and her team designed a comprehensive program that trains breeders to raise puppies, protect the mothers and certify that they follow the proper steps. It’s that simple.
Canine Care Certified certifies independently whether a breeder meets the standards. Better yet, the certificate requires annual reaffirmation. Breeders cannot earn the seal once and rest on their laurels.
The approach isn’t theoretical or a laboratory solution that’s never met the real world. Dr. Croney and her team have worked with breeders throughout America, particularly in Indiana, to build and test the Canine Care Certified system.
Breeders pay the certification costs, and Dr. Croney and Purdue insist that an independent auditor perform the assessments. The auditor is Validus, which has no financial stake in the outcomes. Validus puts the breeder through each step required to satisfy Canine Care Certified standards.
Purdue’s Canine Animal Welfare Science team works with breeders to ensure they understand how to pass the certification and address shortcomings. In other words, Purdue teaches breeders to breed humanely and provides resources to guide them.
How It Works
Canine Care Certified is based on Five Pillars of Care, as presented by Purdue:
PHYSICAL HEALTH
- Only veterinarians may perform necessary alterations and surgeries on dogs. A breeder must create comprehensive physical health plans for preventive care and treatments and implement them. Genetic and health screening, regular dental care, and grooming are required.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
- Caretakers must create a behavioral wellness plan for preventive care and treatment and provide exercise, meaningful socialization and enrichment for adult dogs and puppies.
ENVIRONMENT
- Breeders must provide safe, enriched, high-quality spaces with multiple flooring surfaces and outdoor access.
BREEDING LIFE AND RETIREMENT
- Breeders must obey established limits for breeding ages and litter numbers. Retirement and rehoming plans are required. Retired adults cannot be sold for breeding or research.
CARETAKER EXPECTATIONS
- Breeders must participate in continuing education on canine care and welfare, use low-stress handling, be transparent with stakeholders and comply with best practices.
Veterinarians are involved throughout the process to ensure the standards are met. Dr. Croney and her team have developed easy-to-understand tools for the breeder and public to implement or use the program.
Next Steps
The challenge for the veterinary and animal health industries is to spread the word. While a growing list of breeders is registered to undergo certification, consumers need to know how to find breeders with Canine Care Certified puppies. Unfortunately, the marketing and education effort requires money beyond the means of an academic institution.
Meanwhile, veterinarians need further education, too, to understand Canine Care Certified and guide future pet owners. Veterinarians also must make themselves available to work with breeders.
Once the Canine Care Certified seal is better known and trusted, we can let the marketplace do its work to stop puppy mills. Consumers, veterinarians and breeders will create an ad hoc partnership to ensure that humanely bred puppies are available for all. We then can end the political debate as policymakers come to understand that the Canine Care Certified seal is a proud and practical badge that breeders may display to ensure that would-be pet owners have a meaningful choice.
Ultimately, consumers will determine the value of humanely bred puppies, and veterinarians can become valued resources and advisers to clients selecting a puppy.
Politics too often frames the issue bluntly: If you are a commercial breeder, you operate a puppy mill. The Canine Care Certified system reframes the discussion and provides a platform to move forward in the open.
VISUAL PROOF
According to Canine Care Certified, the program logo “gives consumers an added measure of assurance, or seal of approval, from an independent animal welfare verification process.”
LEARN MORE
Dog breeders and veterinarians interested in the Canine Care Certified process may visit bit.ly/3OBP22c for more information.