A voluntary certification program developed at Purdue University by Dr. Candace Croney in which breeders may choose to participate. The program uses science-based, expert-reviewed standards intended to evaluate and promote canine welfare practices.
Disclaimer: Fetch the Facts examined the CCC website solely as an illustrative example. This review is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement or criticism of the CCC or any of its affiliates. The goal is to help consumers understand what these entities do and what they don’t, so you can make informed decisions when purchasing or adopting a puppy.
Canine Care Certified
Background: Starting in 2014, Purdue University’s Center for Animal Welfare Science led a two year research project on commercial dog breeding. The project was funded by three different tax exempt nonprofit 501(c)(6) organizations and additional support from the federal government (The Times-Mail, Aug 14, 2014). The three organizations under the 501(c)(6) are trade organizations that promote common business interests and industries rather than acting as charities, allowing for significant lobbying and advocacy. A 501(c)(6) is exempt from federal income tax, but donations are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions. They may be deductible as business expenses.
This volunteer program focuses on:
- nutrition
- veterinary care
- housing/environment
- handling and behavioral welfare
- exercise and enrichment
- rehoming
- educating breeders
Canine Care Certified™ certifies dog breeders and their kennels; the program does not certify distributors, transporters, pet stores, or online platforms that sell puppies.
Although the website includes a map of “Canine Care Certified Breeders by State,” they do not list certified breeders publicly. Several large puppy brokers and retail chains state that they hope to have more of their breeders certified in the future, but it was difficult to locate breeders currently holding this certification. Canine Care Certified uses a third-party auditing company, Validus, to conduct independent audits. If a breeder claims to be Canine Care Certified, ask for their certificate number and use the button below to verify their certification.