604 – Creating Better Outcomes for ALL Dogs

Creating Better Outcomes for ALL Dogs
Host Laura Reeves is joined by the founders of For All Dogs -- Chris Fleming of Pinnacle Pet and Martha Boden of SPCA Tampa Bay. This unlikely partnership grew out of a mutual desire to create better outcomes for all dogs, including retired breeding dogs from commercial kennels and adoptable dogs in animal shelters.

As we wrap up “spicy October,” this conversation about a powerful alliance of opposing forces stands as a testament to the positive outcomes when we work together for the good of ALL dogs, instead of tearing one another down.

Fleming is a broker for commercial kennels who sell puppies through pet stores. Boden is the director SPCA Tampa Bay’s animal shelter. They describe their partnership and friendship as serendipitous. Their work is beyond groundbreaking.

[caption id="attachment_12497" align="alignleft" width="329"] Chris Fleming, CEO Pinnacle Pet[/caption]

In 2008, Fleming began working with his suppliers to improve their facilities and programs. After meeting Dr. Candace Croney in 2014, he started encouraging these breeders to come into compliance with the Canine Care Certified program she created. Listeners may remember the episode linked HERE where Laura spoke with Dr. Croney about this program.

“So, the  benefits  from  the  Canine  Care,  it's  data  that  has  been  just  really  kind  of  eye -opening  for  us,” Fleming said. “Looking  at  taking  notes,  breeders  do  everything  from  measuring  humidity  and  air  temperatures  every  day  to  stimulation  or  handling  the  pups  that  they  deal  with,  really  puts  in  a  more  hands -on  approach.

“What  we're  seeing  is  better  socialized  animals.  We're  seeing  healthier  moms.  We're  seeing  when  you're  focused  and  attentive  to  what  they're  doing,  the  happier  mom  makes  a  happier  pup, you're  having  lower  vet  bills  and  it  feels  weird  saying  this  now  because  it  feels  like  common  sense  but  now  it's,  I  can  point  to  the  science  of  this.  So  lower  vet  bills,  happier  healthier  moms  and  puppies  and  being  mindful  of  an  appropriate  retirement  age.

“You  also  have  a  kennel  that  you're  getting  moms  out  of  the  kennel  retired  at  an  earlier  age.  The  puppies  that  they're  producing,  there's  more  of  them.  It's  better  litter  counts,  lower  veterinary  bills.  So  from  a  business  standpoint, it's  lower  costs,  increased  profits.  And  so  from  an  animal  welfare  standpoint,  it's  happier  dogs  and  kennel  owners  that  are  reporting  enjoying  the  time  in  their  kennel  more.

“That  leads  into  the  For  All  Dogs  program  and  it's  a  pilot  program  for  us  because  we've  ran  a  few  of  the  retired  adults  from  canine  care  certified  kennels. But  this  For  All  Dogs  program  needs  to  offer  up  a  trusted  source  for  breeders  that  are  looking  for  either  canine  care  certification  or  at  least  achieve  those  standards  and  have  a  trusted  retirement  partner.”

As Fleming and Boden talked after a chance meeting at an animal welfare event, they began to have more in depth conversations about their two disparate worlds.

[caption id="attachment_12496"...