Who We Are
Mission Statement
Create better, more educated pet parents by advocating, organizing resources, and connecting people across the United States to improve the lives of dogs and reduce the number of surrendered or abandoned dogs.
Our Objectives
01
Advocating
Work to increase access to parks, beaches, businesses for dogs. Encourage more businesses and offices to be dog friendly. Push to improve current dog parks and create new ones.
02
Organizing Resources
Become the largest and best resource for information for pet parents. Work with Shelters, SPCAs, Humane Societies, other dog charities, veterinarians, groomers, product makers, and retailers.
03
Connecting People
Become the largest membership organization of pet parents with events all around the nation. Charter local organizations to grow to help more dogs and pet parents.
Core Values
Education
We believe that education is key to creating better dog parents. We provide resources, information, and support to educate dog people about responsible caregiving practices, including training, nutrition, health, and the overall well-being of their dogs, which creates happier people.
Advocacy
We are committed to advocating for the welfare of dogs and dog people and promoting responsible caregiving practices. We believe that supporting dog people in their role as caregivers is essential to creating better, more educated dog parents. We strive to raise awareness about the importance of responsible dog caregiving, including providing resources and support for the financial and time commitments required to care for a dog. We also advocate for policies and regulations that protect the rights and well-being of both dogs and dog people, ensuring that they have the information, tools, and resources needed to provide the best care for their dogs.
Adoption
We actively advocate for adoption as the preferred option for those seeking to add a dog to their family. We raise awareness about the benefits of adopting from shelters and rescues, including saving a life, providing a second chance to a dog in need, and promoting responsible caregiving.
Training
We promote and advocate for positive reinforcement reward-based training methods that are scientifically proven to be effective and humane. We believe in using positive, force-free, and fear-free methods to train and interact with dogs, promoting a healthy and trusting relationship between dogs and people.
Unique Dogs
We strive to promote the value and joy of mixed breed dogs and non-standard breed dogs. We highlight the benefits of mixed breed dogs, such as their potential for longer lifespan, lower risk of certain health problems, and their unique personalities and characteristics. Non-standard breed dogs often have a unique look that makes them special and can be significantly less expensive when getting a dog.
Community Engagement
We actively engage with dog people and communities across the United States to build a network of support and promote responsible caregiving of dogs. We encourage collaboration, networking, and information-sharing among dog people, shelters, rescues, and other organizations dedicated to improving the lives of dogs and their people.
Compassion & Empathy
We approach our work with compassion and empathy towards dogs and dog people. We strive to understand and address the underlying issues that contribute to the surrender or abandonment of dogs and work towards solutions that prioritize the well-being and happiness of dogs and their caregivers.
Inclusivity & Diversity
We embrace inclusivity and diversity in our organization and the dog community. We recognize that dogs and dog people come from all walks of life, and we strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that respects and values individual differences and promotes equality and diversity.
Innovation
We embrace innovation in advancing dog welfare and strive to stay at the forefront of new ideas, technologies, and practices that can improve the lives of dogs and dog people. We seek out and promote innovative approaches to addressing the challenges facing dogs and their caregivers and strive to be a leader in driving positive change for the betterment of dogs and the communities they belong to.
Impact
We are results-driven and committed to creating real, measurable impact in the lives of dogs and people. We set goals, track progress, and continually evaluate our programs and services to ensure that we are making a meaningful difference in reducing the number of surrendered or abandoned dogs and improving the lives of dogs and people across the United States.
Enrichment
We recognize and promote the positive impact that dogs have on human lives, including their role as companions, stress-relievers, and sources of unconditional love and joy. We believe that the bond between dogs and their caregivers is mutually beneficial, contributing to the physical, emotional, and social well-being of dog people, and we strive to promote and celebrate the special bond between dogs and their human companions.
