The Croney Research Group from Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture will host the Annual Canine Welfare Science Conference on May 29-30 at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lafayette, Indiana, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available.
The conference aims to bring together leaders from dog breeding, the pet industry, sheltering organizations, academia, and veterinary fields to discuss advancements in canine welfare. The event is designed for anyone interested in ethical dog sourcing and the human-dog bond. Programming will start at 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday and conclude at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Originally created to support the Canine Care Certified Program, organizers say the conference now helps all attendees who work with dogs strengthen their practices for better outcomes. “A key part of that work is to improve responsibility relating to meeting dogs’ needs and to serving the people who actually welcome these dogs into their homes,” said Candace Croney, director of the Center for Animal Welfare Science and professor of animal behavior and well-being. “We recognize the concerns of those in sheltering and advocacy who worry about overpopulation and the potential for breeding that reverses progress on animal welfare if not done thoughtfully. The goal is to bring people together to learn about topics such as animal welfare science, applied behavior science and applied ethics.”
Over two days, participants will learn about evidence-based assessment methods, responsible practices in canine care, rehoming strategies, kennel design focused on welfare outcomes, and behavior management approaches. The event features speakers from organizations including Docupet; U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; American Veterinary Medical Association; World Pet Association; National Service Animals Monument; North Carolina State’s College of Veterinary Medicine; Good Shepherd Humane Society; Ad Meliora Consulting; Flat Rock Kennels; Playtime Puppies; Indiana Council for Animal Welfare; Family Affair Puppies; Arizona State University’s Canine Science Collaboratory as well as members from Purdue University.
Croney said: “We value creating a safe opportunity for different groups who do not normally work together because of perceived or real differences in values or general concerns about engaging to have a different, positive experience that potentially leads to new ideas and solutions… This conference is for anyone committed to understanding how we can collectively support healthy, sustainable and ethical dog breeding to meet public demand while keeping the welfare of dogs at the center of those efforts. The best part of the program is seeing attendees leave with a sense of hope and purpose —and even more importantly—with a plan and new connections that can drive tangible improvements for dogs.”
Purdue University Department of Agriculture functions as a core academic unit within Purdue University—utilizing facilities such as its Agricultural Administration Building—and funds innovative projects through AgSEED grants while fostering vibrant communities through extension efforts according to the official website. Its agricultural engineering graduate program ranks first nationally according to U.S News & World Report cited by the official website.
