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College of Veterinary Medicine

Engagement and Outreach 

Annual Events

Canine Welfare Science Forum

Purdue University Canine Welfare Science Conference, May 29-30, Courtyard by Marriott, Lafayette, Indiana

Old problems, new solutions: Breaking silos and building bridges to support ethical, sustainable sourcing of dogs and the human-dog bond

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Offered by the Croney Research Group: The 2026 Canine Welfare Science Conference will illustrate the power of shared learning, collaborative problem-solving, and civil discourse by bringing together leaders within the breeding, pet industry, sheltering, academic and veterinary communities to examine how different stakeholders think about and approach canine welfare. Participants will discuss common needs and challenges, such as rehoming, welfare-friendly kennel design and canine behavior management.

This year's conference will be held May 29-30, 2026, at the Courtyard Marriot in Lafayette, Indiana.

Speakers include: Dr. Candace Croney (Purdue), Dr. Clive Wynne (Arizona State), Dr. Sara Bennett (North Carolina State), Dr. Kendall Houlihan (AVMA), Bernadette Juarez (USDA), Cole Wakefield (Good Shepherd Humane Society), Abbie Moore (Docupet), Dr. Judi Stella (Purdue).

Meeting public demand for dogs while ensuring their welfare needs are met requires knowledge and insights about the scientific, ethical, and economic considerations that must be balanced now and in the future. This program will illustrate the power of shared learning, collaborative problem-solving, and civil discourse by bringing together leaders within the breeding, pet industry, sheltering, academic and veterinary communities to examine how different stakeholders think about and approach canine welfare. Participants will discuss common needs and challenges, such as rehoming, welfare-friendly kennel design, and canine behavior management. An introduction to the sciences of animal welfare and their applications to evidence-based assessment of dog welfare and responsible practice and policy will be offered. Attendees will gain a foundation that empowers them to envision and test new solutions while cultivating the compassion, new partnerships and leaders needed to create a better world for dogs and the people who love and care for them.

The annual program addresses canine welfare topics of relevance to dog breeders, shelters, kennel managers and caretakers, scientists, regulators, students, and pet industry personnel. The program is open to all with interests in the topic!

Click on the year to see archived information from each conference.

Canine Welfare Science Website Created

The Education and Outreach team of the Croney Research Group has spent the past year developing a new Canine Welfare Science website with funding from The Life of Riley at Spring Point. The site aims to promote the welfare of dogs by providing carefully curated, science-based information from a variety of sources that are easily accessible and relevant to commercial dog breeders, shelters, pet families, and other individuals and organizations that care about dogs. Our goal is to bridge knowledge gaps within the canine caretaker community and to connect communities of caretakers with the shared goal of supporting the welfare of dogs living in breeding, research, teaching, and sheltering kennels as well as in homes. The website continues to grow during the development process, but there are many, many resources you can access now. Visit the site at https://caninewelfarescience.com

Programs

Canine Care Certified Program

Canine Care Certified is a nationwide, voluntary program that addresses the health and overall welfare of dogs in the care of breeders in the United States.

Visit the Canine Care Certified website

Publications

View our full list of publications