The Wild West That is the Pet Services Industry
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
– often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi
Here at Unleashed Impact, we say we stand on four paws: Humane Resources, Adoption, Education & Awareness, and Spay/Neuter. We believe that if the canine community, guardians and canine professionals alike can stand firmly on these four paws with us, we will see a decrease in shelter overpopulation and therefore a decrease in the euthanasia of healthy, well behaved dogs. Over the next few blog posts, we’ll dig into each of these four paws and show how guardians and professionals alike can play a role in creating lasting impact!
Today, we’re going to talk about the first layer of Humane Resources. What does that even mean? How do you know if a resource is humane? What resources are we talking about? Don’t worry, we’ll explain it all. We’re going to get a little nerdy, but if you stick it out, you will be more informed than 90% of dog guardians out there, and will be better able to serve your pup.
Obtaining a dog as a pet can be a fairly simple process. Most shelters have low criteria for adopting, you can walk into any pet store that is selling puppies, and if they card processes, it’s yours, and of course we all know someone who at some point had an oopsie litter and was just giving away puppies! But once they’re in your home, you have to pay someone to care for them medically (vaccines, illness, injuries, etc.), someone to watch them when you are out of town or away from home for extended periods of time, maybe someone to groom them to keep them clean and their coats manageable. That’s where canine professionals, or as we refer to them as canine practitioners come in! There is a $150+ BILLION a year industry providing such services (American Pet Products Association, 2024). And here’s the scary thing. It’s all nearly completely unregulated.
Where restaurants and food manufacturers are regulated by the USDA and FDA, the healthcare industry is regulated by FDA, CDC, and HIPPA, and transportation is regulated by FAA, DOT, and NHTSA….there is no federally recognition group of letters that sets the rules and holds practitioners accountable in the pet service industry. The closest thing we have to federal regulation is on veterinary medicine, and it is still a patchwork of state laws, professional boards, and a few federal agencies that step in on a very narrow set of issues. What that leads to is a wild west situation within the industry where anyone with property and a business license can open a boarding or daycare facility, anyone can print up a business card and call themselves a dog trainer or behaviorist, and anyone with clippers can be a groomer! And while there are many loving, caring people in the pet industry, just like any other industry there are the bad or uniformed actors who just want a slice of that $152 billion pie.
As a dog guardian, or maybe even someone who wants to get into the field, how are you supposed to know what’s right? I mean every one with a phone and a Tik Tok account has an opinion for sure. There is so much information out there, but let me tell you, it is not all equally informed, helpful, effective, or humane!
Let’s start simple. Allow us to provide you with some science-backed, reputable organizations that share our values around positive, humane care for dogs. Bookmark these resources, start following them, and consider them your first line of defense against the wild west of the pet industry. Even just knowing where to turn can make a world of difference for your dog’s well-being.
This is just the first step in understanding Humane Resources. Next month, we’ll dig deeper into the practices, strategies, and tools you can use to evaluate the professionals you trust with your dog, so you know that the care they’re receiving isn’t just convenient, but truly humane. By taking these first steps, you’re not just a dog guardian, you’re an informed advocate for your dog’s health, happiness, and safety.
Professional Organizations & Certifying Bodies:
Resources:
Positively - Learn about how dogs think, feel, and learn. Access at home courses and products for your dog!
Instagram: @speckled.hearts.project Hilary Aiges
Instagram: @r.plus.dogs Renee Rhoades
Instagram: @zendog.fearlessgrooming
Instagram: @dynamitedogtraining
