The Top Dog Store™ Re-invents Retail for Dogs

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.

Lisa Milton featured on Critter Care

Lisa Milton with Robert Church on Critter Care,
November 4, 2013

Summit for Urban Animal Strategies Production Manager, Lisa Milton, starred in a 30 minute segment on Critter Care with Robert Church earlier this month to discuss PetLynx, innovation, the Urban Animal Conferences and the SUAS.

Lisa has been a driving force behind the SUAS, an international event that celebrates animal welfare innovations and promotes mindful pet communities through collaboration between all sectors of the pet industry. 

"It does bring together every sector of the industry," said Robert Church in the interview. "All kinds of people sitting down at the table saying 'how do we work together to solve these issues and raise the bar of animal care across the board'. Because every sector has its issues… and yet animal welfare is everybody's business." 

This segment simply describes the importance of the Summits and Urban Animal Conferences and their significance in bringing about a catalyst for change across the industry. As individual sectors, agencies, organizations and individuals realize the potential that collaboration can bring, we are seeing positive and progressive steps towards creating healthy communities for people and pets. 

"It's about building value into your animal and your pet experience," said Lisa. "If we can do that in any way, though the National Recovery Service, the Summit Conversations, the Summit Awards and most importantly, our partners in the industry, we're building a better experience for the people out there who own animals."

Critter Care with Robert Church is a half hour program airing weekly on Shaw Television Channel 10 in Calgary, Alberta. Every week features different guests and pets sharing their unique brand of animal knowledge. 

Petland chain praised for decision to halt sales of puppies and kittens

The decision by Petland to phase out the sale of puppies and kittens is the right move according to customers and an animal rights advocate. Actions Speak Louder Calgary, a puppy advocate group, was pleased to hear the news. “It’s a great step forward,” said Jennifer Kaiser, co-founder of ASLC. “It will definitely help bring more attention to rescue pets and pet overpopulation."

A Petland spokesperson said the decision was a business move. “We like having our kennel and we are going to change with it and move forward,” said Robert Church, a spokesman for Petland “It’s a huge shift for us, but it’s a change.” He added online sale websites like Kijiji cut into the business over the last three or four years, something they couldn’t compete with.

Read the full article by, Bryce Forbes in the Calgary Herald