Behind The Puppies: Our Ethical Breeding Commitment

A Mission Rooted in Compassion: Meet Ron and Wendy

At the heart of Petland Iowa City are two people with a purpose, Ron and Wendy Solsrud.

When they opened Petland Iowa City in 2006, it wasn’t just to offer pets, it was to change how people think about pet stores and breeders. After learning about the dark side of unethical breeding practices and how misinformation often spread online, they were determined to be a solution.

Their goal was to create a pet store built on integrity, compassion, and complete transparency, a place where pets are loved, customers are educated, and breeders are held to the highest standards of care.

Read their full story ➝

What Makes Our Breeders Different?

Many people are surprised to learn that not all breeders are created equal. At Petland Iowa City, we do not work with puppy mills — in fact, we go far beyond USDA requirements by only partnering with breeders who are Canine Care Certified™.

We believe that ethical breeding begins with three things:

• Science-backed standards
• Genuine love for animals
• Commitment to lifelong welfare

This is why our breeders participate in rigorous programs that ensure their practices meet the highest standards of animal welfare.

More on our approach to ethical breeding ➝

What Is Canine Care Certification™?

Developed by animal welfare scientists at Purdue University, the Canine Care Certified™ program is the only university-based certification program for breeders. It focuses on five core pillars:

1. Physical Health – Regular veterinary checkups, vaccinations, and preventative care.
2. Behavioral Well-Being – Socialization, stimulation, and enrichment from birth.
3. Housing and Comfort – Spacious, clean, and climate-controlled environments.
4. Nutrition and Diet – Balanced, high-quality food and access to clean water.
5. Retirement and Rehoming – Adult dogs are retired into loving homes, not discarded.

These breeders are audited annually and required to continue their education, a major step up from outdated USDA-only requirements.

Learn more about this standard ➝

Education Over Judgment

Unfortunately, pet stores like ours are often misunderstood.

Many people rely on outdated or misleading online information that paints all pet stores with the same brush. At Petland Iowa City, we believe in helping, not hating. Rather than casting judgment, we focus on:

• Educating customers about where their pets come from.
• Showing transparency in our breeder relationships.
• Proving our commitment through vet care, records, and open communication.

We invite people to ask questions, tour our store, and dig deeper. We stand behind the ethics of our breeders and the care of every puppy we place.

Why we believe in education over hate ➝

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about where our puppies come from? How we vet breeders? What guarantees we offer?

We get these questions all the time and we’re happy to answer them.

• What kind of breeders does Petland work with?
• How are puppies transported and cared for?
• What veterinary care do puppies receive before going home?

Read our full FAQ ➝

We Stand By Our Values

When you adopt from Petland Iowa City, you’re supporting:

• Ethical, science-backed breeding
• Transparency at every step
• Loving lifelong homes for dogs and their parents

We don’t just sell pets, we partner with families and breeders who want the best for animals.

Continue Learning

We’re committed to keeping the conversation going. Explore our latest articles to dive deeper into our approach to ethical pet care:

• Ron and Wendy’s Inspiring Journey with Petland Iowa City
• Ethical Breeding at Petland Iowa City: Going Beyond Standards
• Frequently Asked Questions About Petland Iowa City
• Ethical Pet Care: Helping, Not Hating

Check back soon for more blogs and updates!