Petland, Inc. Presents WPA with Award of Excellence

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Petland President and CEO Joe Watson presented the World Pet Association (WPA) and its president, Doug Poindexter, with a Petland Award of Excellence at the 2017 SuperZoo in Las Vegas.

The Petland Award of Excellence is given to a member of the Petland family or an individual or group that goes above and beyond the call of duty to make Petland better. Past winners have included the American Kennel Club and Ohio Senator Bob Peterson.

“WPA has committed hundreds of thousands of dollars and manpower to ensure that this industry’s supply of healthy pets remains strong for many years to come,” Watson said. “Petland is proud to recognize WPA with our Petland Award of Excellence for their commitment in promoting and protecting a sustainable supply of healthy pets through their work and support of the Purdue University Canine Care Certified program.”

Poindexter accepted the award.

“WPA and the industry are all about the welfare of the animals. Without live animals, there would be no pet industry. WPA is honored to receive this award and be recognized as an organization that truly cares about animals and their well-being,” Poindexter said.

Founded in 1950, WPA is the pet industry’s oldest non-profit association and has promoted responsible growth and development of the companion pet and related products and services industry longer than any other group. WPA collaborates with organizations such as American Pet Products Association (APPA), Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), the National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), The Pet Care Trust and others to ensure pet retailers’ interests are represented. WPA coordinates industry-defining trade events and provides thought leadership on consumer and legislative issues that support the pet retail community and make it easier for pet retailers to do business.

As part of its commitment to Good Works, WPA is a founding sponsor of the Purdue University Voluntary Standards for Breeding Dog Care and Welfare. Designed to promote and continuously improve canine well-being, this program develops and tests rigorous, science-based, voluntary standards for the care and welfare of breeding dogs and creates a third-party auditing and certification process for dog breeders.

The organization also produces SuperZoo, an annual pet industry trade show that showcases a comprehensive collection of exhibits and offers a variety of informative educational seminars.