Kennels trying to shake off Playful Paws 'black eye'

Saskatoon’s kennel industry is working towards self-regulation to help restore confidence after the Playful Paws Pet Centre tragedy.
 
Businesses are working to educate themselves on nationally-recognized standard guidelines, and asking the Saskatoon SPCA to help.
 
“It’s opened some doors and some awareness among pet owners and pet care businesses,” said Executive Director Patricia Cameron.
 
“We really need to up our game to protect these very vulnerable creatures we love so much.”
 
Dave Deplaedt, the owner of Playful Paws, pleaded guilty on behalf of the business to negligence under the Animal Protection Act after 14 dogs died from hyperthermia in a kennel room where the temperature was 37 C.
 
The heating problem that led to the deaths had been ongoing since Feb. 2011.
 
Cameron said mandatory inspections by the SPCA’s animal protection officers could better protect pets.
 
She said the kennel industry isn’t controlled by any level of government.
 
“There’s no regulation as to who can own a kennel business,” she said.
 
But Cameron says several businesses have asked for the SPCA to inspect their businesses to see how they could improve their practices.
 
“It’s voluntary, so kudos to them,” she said. “They need to look at the safety and overall well-being of the animals.”
 
She added after the Playful Paws incident gave a “black eye” to the kennel industry, businesses need to be able to communicate to customers what they’re doing to prevent similar tragedies.
 
The animal protection officers will be looking at whether the kennels meet the guideline of standards set out by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
 
Those guidelines include an upper-temperature limit of 27 C, recommendations for walls and floors as well as advice on access to food and water.