Canine Care Certified Now Accepting Breeder Applications

Canine Care Certified, the voluntary science-based welfare certification program for dog breeders, recently announced that it is accepting applications.

The standards of the Canine Care Certified program are based on those developed by a team of researchers at Purdue University’s Center for Animal Welfare Science in 2013. The standards developed by the Purdue-based team have been peer-reviewed by animal scientists, veterinarians and canine welfare experts. The certification program itself was developed at the request of breeders seeking to adopt a higher standard of care.

An initial set of pilot breeders have already passed the audit to become Canine Care Certified and several others are in the process of implementing the programs standards in preparation for audit.

While current regulatory programs have established minimum baseline standards of care required by law, none adequately address standards for socialization and behavior. The Canine Care Certified program is intended to provide a more rigorous set of standards and a voluntary process for breeders to obtain certification.

“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. 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. It is the backbone of this comprehensive and truly unprecedented program. The program is voluntary and a way for breeders to assure the public that they are doing the right thing for their dogs.”

— Dr. Candace Croney, Director, Purdue University Center for Animal Welfare Science

Current regulatory programs provide a minimum level of standards as required by law, and none fully address areas such as behavior or socialization. Other voluntary programs do not have substantive measurement and evaluation provisions. Further, the Canine Care Certified program is available to any breeder, regardless of size, that commits to meeting the standards.

More information about Canine Care Certified and the application process can be found at caninecarecertified.org.

Source: Canine Care Certified Accepting Breeder Applications