A Petland store in Victoriaville, Quebec, in July became the first to receive a certificate under the voluntary pet retail store certification program implemented by The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council Canada (Ottawa, Ontario).

"Within the pet industry, we recognize that the vast majority of pet retailers are professionals with high standards of quality and care," said Louis McCann, executive director of PIJAC Canada. "This certification program, with its prominently displayed certification decal, gives those retailers the chance to show the buying public that this is the case."

Developed to increase consumer confidence and promote excellence in the pet retail sector, PIJAC Canada's certification program requires retail stores to meet strict criteria on everything from business practices and personnel issues to animal husbandry and safety measures. It also requires stores to meet minimum insurance criteria and be capable of providing customers with educational literature.

While the program is voluntary, stores cannot be certified until a PIJAC Canada representative assesses the facility.

"This program shows the industry being pro-active," said Stéphan Roy, owner of the now-certified Petland store. "It allows us to set goals and standards that are good not just for the public, but also for the animals and store owners."

Launched two years ago, PIJAC Canada's retail store certification program recognizes pet stores that are working in the best interests of their customers and their animals, according to McCann.

"Even more than that, though, it is a chance for those who are doing well to do better," he said. "It's a chance for retailers in every community to meet nationally accepted standards of professionalism and quality."

McCann said he expected at least three more stores to receive certification this month. [September 2004 PET AGE]