Petland Showcases Transparency And Collaboration With Responsible USDA-Licensed Breeders

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO (Feb. 26, 2026) — For nearly 60 years, Ohio-based Petland has helped American families welcome healthy, well-socialized puppies into their homes. Today, the company is highlighting a cornerstone of its mission: unprecedented transparency and direct collaboration with responsible, USDA-licensed breeders who are committed to raising behaviorally appropriate, healthy pets.

Petland sources puppies exclusively from responsible hobby breeders and USDA-licensed professional breeders operating above the requirements of the U.S. Animal Welfare Act. Every breeder must maintain zero direct USDA citations within the past two years. Beyond federal oversight, Petland maintains a long-standing practice of providing store operators, corporate leaders, animal welfare specialists, and veterinary staff with opportunities to visit breeders across the country.

These regular, in-person visits give new and highly experienced staff the opportunity to see, smell, and feel firsthand the environments where puppies – and their parents – are born and raised. Team members visit kennels to observe and engage with dogs and puppies in play yards and outdoor running spaces, review health and socialization practices, and engage directly with the breeders. This hands-on approach provides a transparent look at every stage of a puppy’s early development and care of adult dogs.

“It’s important for our staff to see with their own eyes the reality of today’s responsible breeders,” said Petland President and CEO Joe Watson. “There’s a narrative that’s been spread for years through activist-generated campaigns and late-night commercials. When our team members visit breeders and witness the level of care, veterinary oversight, and dedication involved, they understand the difference between rhetoric and reality.”

Most recently, Petland extended that transparency by hosting its first-ever “Breeder Discovery Day” at its Chillicothe headquarters. More than a dozen Ohio breeders gained valuable insight into the company’s commitment to animal welfare, consumer expectations for AKC breed standards, and veterinary and health protocols, including a discussion on the importance of genetic testing for specific breeds. The group wrapped up its visit with a trip to Petland Chillicothe, where Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Rebecca Atwood examined new puppies, explaining what Petland requires in a healthy pet.

Through accountability, collaboration, and open doors, Petland continues to demonstrate its commitment to sourcing puppies from the best regulated, responsible breeders. Additionally, employees who witness every step of a puppy’s journey – from birth to a Petland store to its forever family – are equipped to offer prospective pet owners clear, factual insight when asked from where the puppy originated.

Media contact: Maria Smith, Communications Director, 740-775-2464, maria.smith@petlandinc.com

Petland, Inc. is a specialty pet retail franchise operation with nearly 250 global locations. For nearly 60 years, Petland pet counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right customer and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond. Petland was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com.

Petland store and corporate staff visit USDA-licensed breeders in Indiana.

Outdoor play area for puppies and mother dogs at an Ohio USDA-licensed professional breeder.

While Petland visits its breeders often, more than a dozen Ohio breeders were hosted at the company’s Chillicothe headquarters and nearby Petland store for a day of learning and collaboration.

Pictured below: Petland President and CEO Joe Watson welcomes breeders to Petland company headquarters and provides an overview of its global operations.

Below: Visitors tour Petland’s manufacturing facility where all store fixtures are created.

Breeders join Petland Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Rebecca Atwood as she conducts an intake exam for a new puppy, explaining the company’s expectations when it comes to the health of incoming puppies, and answering their questions.