Pioneering group of pet care professionals achieve independent certification and CPACP status
NEW YORK, NY – January 6, 2017 – The Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC) today announced that the first independent certifications for Certified Professional Animal Care Provider (CPACP) have been awarded to 35 pet care professionals located from coast to coast in the United States and Canada, as well as Singapore. The first certification exams testing the comprehensive knowledge of professionals in charge of the daily handling of the animals of a professional pet care business, overseeing every aspect of an animal’s well-being while in their care, were conducted by third-party Professional Testing Corporation. To initially qualify to take the CPACP exam, the applicant had to meet minimum education requirements, have a minimum of 500 hours of experience, and provide letters of reference from veterinarians and other pet care industry professionals. The in-depth 125-question examination covered animal care topics including health, nutrition, dog fight and bite protocol, on-leash and off-leash interaction, sanitation, dog behavior and temperament, dog body language, dog training, animal and handler safety, vaccination protocol, workflow management, pathogen control, emergency and quarantine protocols, air quality standards, staff management expectations, and much more.
“This industry is booming and finding a pet care provider is easier than ever, but that ease does not equate to safety,” said PACCC Co-Founder, Susan Briggs. “These independent certifications now bring the pet care services industry to the forefront of professional care, and CPACP credentials will help pet parents identify the most qualified professionals to care for their pets.”
Certification as a CPACP is good for three years, at which time retesting or completion of 20 hours of continuing education is required to maintain certified status. The next opportunity for pet care professionals to take the CPACP exams will be before or during March 2017. While the number of those currently certified by PACCC is limited, Briggs encourages pet parents to ask their pet care providers about certification.
“We could not be more proud of these pet care pioneers who took the very first CPACP exam,” said Briggs. “For an industry frequently damaged by news reports of serious pet accidents and deaths, they are on the cutting edge of pet safety and, without a doubt, by their personal abilities and by their example, they will ultimately help make all pets safer.”
CPACP List
The 35 newly certified pet care professionals are located in Alaska, British Columbia, California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Brunswick, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Singapore, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. For the complete list of those newly minted as a CPACP, including their location, visit paccert.org/cpacp.
About PACCC
The Professional Animal Care Certification Council (PACCC) was founded by industry leaders to bring independent certification to the pet care services industry, an important step for a rapidly growing, easy-to -enter industry. In addition to the exams for Certified Professional Animal Care Provider (CPACP), PACCC will be conducting exams for Certified Professional Animal Care Manager (CPACM) and Certified Professional Animal Care Manager (CPACM) in the near future.
How You Can Support PACCC and Help Make Pets Safer
PACCC – and a new era in pet safety – would not be possible without the tremendous support we have received since we began this independent certification effort to make pet lives better began two years ago. And, now, we need your help more than ever to grow this initial roster of amazing certified pet pros. Along with our dedicated team of volunteers, your PACCC donations keep us up and running. Will you help us continue and expand our safe pet mission? You can access our quick and easy donate page at paccert.org/donate.