Greenwich, CT (June 6, 2016) — The Pet Leadership Council (PLC) announced today an effort to promote the health and welfare of aquatic life, environmental stewardship, and responsible fish keeping. The PLC is comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare advocates, veterinarians, and academia, uniting everyone who cares for our pets behind core principles and a nationwide public education effort.
“With the release of Finding Dory boosting interest in fish keeping, we want people to know that the pet industry is committed to offering fish and marine life that are produced through aquaculture or collected through safe and sustainable practices that include careful attention to the sustainability of both the aquatic life and the marine and aquatic environments where they live,” said PLC Chairman Bob Vetere.
The PLC supports the following Core Principles:
Promote and advancing aquaculture efforts for captive breeding of all marine life
Establish standards for responsible and sustainable collection and handling of all marine life
Educate consumers on responsible fish keeping
Celebrate the educational and health benefits associated with fish keeping
To help educate consumers about selecting the right fish and appropriate aquarium and proper care instructions, the prevention of invasive species and ongoing conservation efforts, the PLC will be launching a new website, www.happyhealthyfish.pet that will include a fun, interactive game to teach proper fishkeeping. In addition, pet stores across the country will have in-store educational materials so that people can choose the right fish.
“American Humane Association applauds what the Pet Leadership Council is doing to educate consumers about responsible and humane treatment of aquatic life,” said Dr. Amy McCullough National Director, Humane Research and Therapy for American Humane Association.
Disney has also created resources and guidelines to help educate consumers on selecting the right fish that can be found on its website: http://movies.disney.com/finding-dory.
Another important resource included in this effort is Habitattitude, a joint effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and industry partners to prevent the release of invasive species into the wild.
“The pet industry must take every measure to promote responsible pet ownership and avoid fish and aquatic plants being released into the oceans and waterways,” said Vetere. “The PLC is asking member companies to include Habitattitude messaging on product packaging.”
PLC members are actively supporting the work of Rising Tide Conservation, which has the mission of protecting coral reefs by developing techniques for rearing marine ornamental fish and promoting commercial production to provide alternatives to reef collection, as well as other sustainability projects worldwide.
“Without the support of the pet industry, the advances of Rising Tide in marine aquaculture would not be possible. We continue to develop new techniques in aquaculture to support fish and coral reefs worldwide,” said Rising Tide Conservation’s Director, Dr. Judy St. Leger.
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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.
The Pet Leadership Council (PLC), which is comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare organizations, veterinarians and academia, is announcing its support of a Purdue University Study currently underway to improve dog breeder standards.
The study being led by Candace Croney, PhD at Purdue University entitled assessing animal welfare: applications to dog care and welfare standards is expected to be completed by the end of the year. In an effort to facilitate best care practices via research and education, it will address proper guidelines for all aspects of dog well-being in commercial breeding operations including but not limited to: housing, nutrition, sanitation, health and vet care, behavioral well-being, breeding ages, end of breeding life and the outcome of healthy puppies.
“This is an extremely important step forward to ensuring that our nation’s puppies are coming from breeders that maintain high standards of care and provide consumers assurance that puppies and adult dogs coming from certified breeders have been raised with significant attention to their physical, genetic and behavioral health and a lifelong commitment to the dogs’ well-being,” said Bob Vetere, PLC Chairman.
While the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) does have commercial dog breeding standards and licensing in place, there is demand for additional measures to hold breeders accountable and help put an end to substandard breeders commonly referred to as “puppy mills”. These standards will provide breeders with a voluntary option to obtain a recognized and trusted certification with regular inspections. Government regulations can take years to change and often become outdated and obsolete. The Purdue guidelines will allow for continuous improvement based on the latest advances in scientific study of the health and well-being of the animals.
“The PLC is encouraged by and strongly supports the work being conducted by Dr. Candace Croney and The Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine 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 and PLC Trustee.
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.
June 24 is Take Your Dog to Work Day. While some employees and employers will simply be happy to work alongside their companion animals, the American Pet Products Association wants them to consider the health benefits pets in the workplace offer.
Scientific research shows bringing companion animals to the office can improve employee health and reduce stress. Studies have also indicated that bringing dogs to the office helps motivate, engage and boost employee satisfaction and retention.
For those whose workplaces have yet to embrace the beneficial effects pets can have on those in the office, Pet Sitters International has prepared a toolkit to help open a dialogue with employers.
If you don’t have time to get your workplace in on this year’s Take Your Dog to Work Day, it’s never too early to start planning for next year’s event, planned for July 23, 2017.
The American Pet Products Association has announced the release of its 2015–2016 National Pet Owners Survey: Generational Report.
The APPA National Pet Owners Survey: Generational Report examines pet ownership by generation to identify trends, changes and new opportunities in the pet products market.
The Baby Boomer generation has been an integral part of the growth of pet ownership over the past two decades and represents the largest segment of pet owners. With Baby Boomers facing questions about whether they can continue to care for pets and whether they plan to get a new or replacement pet, and Millennials contemplating whether to become first-time pet owners, this report explores the changing landscape of the pet products market space, as well as the opportunities created in this environment. Understanding generational trends is increasingly important as they take on a substantial role in defining the pet products marketplace.
Those interested in ordering a copy of the report can do so by completing this form and e-mailing it to memberservices@americanpetproducts.org or faxing it to 203-532-0551.
Pet Leadership Council Launches Effort on Responsible Fish Keeping
Finding Dory Movie Expected to Spur Interest
For immediate release
Greenwich, CT (June 6, 2016) — The Pet Leadership Council (PLC) announced today an effort to promote the health and welfare of aquatic life, environmental stewardship, and responsible fish keeping. The PLC is comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare advocates, veterinarians, and academia, uniting everyone who cares for our pets behind core principles and a nationwide public education effort.
“With the release of Finding Dory boosting interest in fish keeping, we want people to know that the pet industry is committed to offering fish and marine life that are produced through aquaculture or collected through safe and sustainable practices that include careful attention to the sustainability of both the aquatic life and the marine and aquatic environments where they live,” said PLC Chairman Bob Vetere.
The PLC supports the following Core Principles:
To help educate consumers about selecting the right fish and appropriate aquarium and proper care instructions, the prevention of invasive species and ongoing conservation efforts, the PLC will be launching a new website, www.happyhealthyfish.pet that will include a fun, interactive game to teach proper fishkeeping. In addition, pet stores across the country will have in-store educational materials so that people can choose the right fish.
“American Humane Association applauds what the Pet Leadership Council is doing to educate consumers about responsible and humane treatment of aquatic life,” said Dr. Amy McCullough National Director, Humane Research and Therapy for American Humane Association.
Disney has also created resources and guidelines to help educate consumers on selecting the right fish that can be found on its website: http://movies.disney.com/finding-dory.
Another important resource included in this effort is Habitattitude, a joint effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and industry partners to prevent the release of invasive species into the wild.
“The pet industry must take every measure to promote responsible pet ownership and avoid fish and aquatic plants being released into the oceans and waterways,” said Vetere. “The PLC is asking member companies to include Habitattitude messaging on product packaging.”
PLC members are actively supporting the work of Rising Tide Conservation, which has the mission of protecting coral reefs by developing techniques for rearing marine ornamental fish and promoting commercial production to provide alternatives to reef collection, as well as other sustainability projects worldwide.
“Without the support of the pet industry, the advances of Rising Tide in marine aquaculture would not be possible. We continue to develop new techniques in aquaculture to support fish and coral reefs worldwide,” said Rising Tide Conservation’s Director, Dr. Judy St. Leger.
###
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.
Contact
Tierra Bonaldi
The Impetus Agency
E-Mail
tierra@theimpetusagency.com
Telephone
(775) 322-4022
Jamie Baxter
The Impetus Agency
E-Mail
jamie@theimpetusagency.com
Telephone
(775) 322-4022
Pet Leadership Council Endorses Purdue University Project to Establish Science-Based Standards for the Care and Welfare of Breeding Dogs
For immediate release
The Pet Leadership Council (PLC), which is comprised of pet industry leaders, animal welfare organizations, veterinarians and academia, is announcing its support of a Purdue University Study currently underway to improve dog breeder standards.
The study being led by Candace Croney, PhD at Purdue University entitled assessing animal welfare: applications to dog care and welfare standards is expected to be completed by the end of the year. In an effort to facilitate best care practices via research and education, it will address proper guidelines for all aspects of dog well-being in commercial breeding operations including but not limited to: housing, nutrition, sanitation, health and vet care, behavioral well-being, breeding ages, end of breeding life and the outcome of healthy puppies.
“This is an extremely important step forward to ensuring that our nation’s puppies are coming from breeders that maintain high standards of care and provide consumers assurance that puppies and adult dogs coming from certified breeders have been raised with significant attention to their physical, genetic and behavioral health and a lifelong commitment to the dogs’ well-being,” said Bob Vetere, PLC Chairman.
While the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) does have commercial dog breeding standards and licensing in place, there is demand for additional measures to hold breeders accountable and help put an end to substandard breeders commonly referred to as “puppy mills”. These standards will provide breeders with a voluntary option to obtain a recognized and trusted certification with regular inspections. Government regulations can take years to change and often become outdated and obsolete. The Purdue guidelines will allow for continuous improvement based on the latest advances in scientific study of the health and well-being of the animals.
“The PLC is encouraged by and strongly supports the work being conducted by Dr. Candace Croney and The Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine 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 and PLC Trustee.
More information on the Purdue Study and several white papers already published can be found here – http://vet.purdue.edu/CAWS/engagement.php#projects.
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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.
Contact
Tierra Bonaldi
The Impetus Agency
E-Mail
tierra@theimpetusagency.com
Telephone
(775) 322-4022
Jamie Baxter
The Impetus Agency
E-Mail
jamie@theimpetusagency.com
Telephone
(775) 322-4022
Take Your Dog to Work Day Offers Chance to Reflect on Benefits of Pets in the Workplace
June 24 is Take Your Dog to Work Day. While some employees and employers will simply be happy to work alongside their companion animals, the American Pet Products Association wants them to consider the health benefits pets in the workplace offer.
For those whose workplaces have yet to embrace the beneficial effects pets can have on those in the office, Pet Sitters International has prepared a toolkit to help open a dialogue with employers.
If you don’t have time to get your workplace in on this year’s Take Your Dog to Work Day, it’s never too early to start planning for next year’s event, planned for July 23, 2017.
Source: Human Health Benefits of Pets at Work
2015-2016 APPA National Pet Owners Survey – Generational Report
The American Pet Products Association has announced the release of its 2015–2016 National Pet Owners Survey: Generational Report.
Those interested in ordering a copy of the report can do so by completing this form and e-mailing it to memberservices@americanpetproducts.org or faxing it to 203-532-0551.
Source: 2015-2016 APPA National Pet Owners Survey – Generational Report