During the past six years, leading thinkers in the Alliance for Urban Animals have worked to improve the homing of puppies and dogs.
This robust conversation developed codes of ethical conduct for breeders and quality marks for sources that will benefit those looking for a pet. In 2015, the breeder/source project moves into beta test with implementation cycles in both the US (Purdue, Center of Animal Wellness Science) and Canada (Alliance for Urban Animals).
Robert Church is an experienced pet product retailer as well as a former Director of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) Canada. In just a few weeks, Robert will open a new concept retail centre in Calgary for everything dog. The Top Dog Store™ will beta test concepts developed by primary thought leaders in the Canadian conversation. Members of the Alliance for Urban Animals have gathered to support a method of homing pets that can be replicated across the industry.
The Top Dog Store™ will produce a unique dog centric experience:
- Certified and inspected sources of animals;
- Enhanced levels of in-store care, staff training and bio-security;
- Preselection education about the dog lifestyle, responsibilities and costs;
- Homing protocols including a mandatory vet visit, animal warranty, national identification and return to owner services; and,
- Follow on services for clients that support behavior and training, ongoing health and re-homing assistance if necessary.
"The Top Dog Store™ offers a safe and reliable option for families wishing to add a puppy to their lives," said Robert Church. "Our store will help clients to understand the needs of their new companion in advance, ensure they select an appropriate animal for their lifestyle, deliver a healthy animal and create a lifelong supportive relationship," he added.
The Top Dog Store™ will be a centre of excellence in Calgary by helping clients develop relationships with other trusted service providers. As a member of the Alliance for Urban Animals, the knowledge and experience gained by Robert at The Top Dog Store™ will be the new retail story.
Kijiji Canada continues to lead the Alliance for Urban Animals to identify trusted sources of pets for the online environment. The Top Dog Store™ will be the first retail centre to be added to the Calgary portal of this joint Alliance/Kijiji program.
"The Top Dog Store™ is an exciting development in the long journey toward a more positive pet experience," said Dr. Drew Van Niekerk, Veterinarian and leader in the Alliance for Urban Animals. "For too long we have confused clients with passionate but conflicting messages about sources, diets, behaviors and owner responsibilities. The Alliance for Urban Animals is intent on creating positive pet experiences and healthy communities for pets and people. The Top Dog Store™ is a welcome addition to this initiative."
InfoStream plans to publish an interview with Robert Church including images of The Top Dog Store™ once the rigors of opening are complete.
I am not convinced that a retail store can provide well bred dogs to the public both ethically and at a competitive price (I would suggest this would be <$2000 per pup in a retail environment). I don't believe the economic reality of what pet owners are willing to spend on purchasing their pets makes this a feasible option, as it would require sourcing dogs en masse from breeders at over $1000 per pup. Anything less causes a breeder to severely cut corners. But I'm still interested in seeing the model.
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