Petland Iowa City Receives Greater Iowa BBB Business Ethics Award Recognition

Petland Iowa City, owned and operated by Ron and Wendy Solsrud since 2006, has been named a 2026 Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Greater Iowa Business Ethics Award Winner.

BBB’s Torch Award is one of the organization’s highest honors recognizing integrity, transparency, and trust. Selected from a highly competitive group of applicants, Petland Iowa City has been recognized for its principled leadership, ethical business practices, and meaningful impact within the community. The business will be formally honored at the Greater Iowa BBB Torch Awards ceremony on June 4.

In its official notification, the BBB praised the store’s commitment to excellence. “Petland Iowa City exemplifies what it means to build trust through transparency, customer care, and a strong commitment to doing what’s right,” stated Julie Eastridge, of BBB Greater Iowa. “Their leadership has fostered a culture where integrity guides every interaction.”

For the Solsruds, the recognition reflects years of dedication by the entire team.

“Wendy and I are incredibly grateful for this recognition that represents what our team works toward every single day,” said Ron Solsrud, President and co-owner of Petland Iowa City. “We believe trust is built in the moments and day-to-day interactions, such as being honest, being consistent, and doing what’s right for the pet and the family during every encounter.”

“Ethics isn’t a poster on the wall here – it’s how we operate,” said Petland Iowa City Co-owner Wendy Solsrud. “From how we care for our pets, to educating new pet families, to showing up for our community… At Petland Iowa City, we want our guests to feel confident that they are working with a team that takes its responsibility seriously.”

A cornerstone of Petland Iowa City’s business model is its team’s commitment to ethical sourcing and continuous improvement in pet breeding standards. The company only works with breeders who meet strict requirements and are held accountable through documentation, oversight, and ongoing improvement. Additionally, Petland Iowa City requires dog breeders to be Purdue Canine Care Certified (or actively pursuing CCC certification), a higher data-driven standard that reinforces best practices in canine health, safety, enrichment, and humane care.

“Our team is trained to slow down, educate, and to make sure we are matching the right pet with the right family,” said Petland Iowa City General Manager Taylor Nogaj. “We’re proud to be recognized with a BBB Torch Award for Ethics that recognizes our guest experience, which includes clear communication, high standards, and support that continues long after a pet goes home.”

As a regional winner, Petland Iowa City is eligible for consideration in the International Torch Awards for Ethics, presented by the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. This national-level recognition honors the most ethical and exemplary businesses across North America.