Our Guiding Principles
Code of Ethics
Every decision we make begins and ends with the well-being of the dog. This code defines the standards we hold ourselves to — across breeding, development, health, oversight, and placement.
A Standard, Not a Suggestion
All participants within the Nurture Kennect network — including breeder partners, veterinary partners, internal team members, and associated professionals — are expected to uphold the following principles.
These are not aspirational guidelines. They are the operational standards that define participation in our network. Every principle exists because the well-being of the dogs in our care depends on it.
10
CORE PRINCIPLES
10-Year
HEALTH GUARANTEE
100%
VET-VERIFIED BREEDERS
OFA
HEALTH TESTING STANDARD
01
The Well-Being of the Dog Comes First
- Every decision must prioritize the dog's long-term health, safety, and overall well-being.
- Puppies are placed only when they are physically sound, developmentally prepared, and have completed all required evaluations.
- No action should favor timing, convenience, or volume over the welfare of the dog.
- Daily care, handling, environment, and development practices must consistently reflect this priority.
02
Responsibility Begins Before Birth
- Breeding decisions are made only after confirming health, appropriate maturity, and veterinary clearance.
- Parent dogs undergo breed-appropriate health evaluations, including Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) testing where applicable and other relevant screenings.
- Health testing documentation is reviewed prior to pairing decisions.
- Breeding decisions are made within a structured framework that includes veterinary input, documented health history, and compatibility evaluation.
- Breeding is approached as a deliberate responsibility, never as an automatic or routine process.
03
Health Must Be Verified, Not Assumed
- Comprehensive health testing and veterinary evaluations are required prior to breeding and throughout development.
- Licensed veterinarians are actively involved in pre-breeding evaluations, pregnancy planning, neonatal monitoring, and ongoing health assessments.
- Preventive care protocols include vaccination schedules, parasite prevention programs, and health monitoring.
- Health status must be documented and verified through veterinary records, not assumed.
- Veterinary oversight functions as a continuous process, not a single checkpoint.
04
Care Must Be Consistent and Observable
- Dogs must be raised in environments that ensure cleanliness, safety, comfort, and proper sanitation.
- Housing must support safe containment, adequate space, ventilation, and protection from hazards.
- Daily care must include access to clean water, proper nutrition, and appropriate feeding practices.
- Handling practices must reflect humane, attentive interaction and awareness of stress indicators.
- Standards must be demonstrated in practice and must be observable during oversight.
05
Development Is Guided with Intention
- Early development follows a structured Puppy Development Plan applied consistently across all participating breeders.
- Development is implemented in defined stages from birth through placement, based on age and developmental readiness.
- Puppies are introduced to handling, human interaction, environmental exposure, and routine in a controlled and progressive sequence.
- Exposure is paced to build confidence without creating stress, overstimulation, or instability.
- Development is integrated into daily care routines and is continuously observed and adjusted based on individual response.
- Progression is guided intentionally, not left to preference or inconsistency.
06
Accountability Requires Transparency
- Accurate and structured records must be kept throughout each stage of breeding and development.
- Monitoring includes health testing records, veterinary evaluations, vaccination and deworming schedules, growth tracking, feeding routines, and developmental observations.
- Information provided to families must be truthful, complete, and supported by documentation.
- Documentation must provide traceability from birth through placement.
07
Oversight Is Part of Responsibility
- Participation includes ongoing internal oversight through documentation review, veterinary record evaluation, and direct engagement.
- On-site assessments are conducted on both scheduled and unannounced bases.
- Oversight evaluates animal health and condition, housing safety, cleanliness, handling practices, feeding protocols, breeding practices, and record accuracy.
- Observed conditions must align with documented standards.
- Corrective review and follow-up may occur when clarification or improvement is required.
- Continued participation depends on verified compliance.
08
Placement Requires Preparation
- Puppies must not be transferred directly from breeder to family without structured transition and final review.
- Prior to placement, puppies must undergo a comprehensive nose-to-tail health examination conducted by a licensed veterinarian.
- Fecal testing must be performed using VetScan Imagyst® AI diagnostic technology to screen for intestinal parasites.
- Optional pre-screen blood evaluations to establish baseline health indicators are made available and performed on request.
- Health documentation is reviewed for completeness, and overall condition and readiness are confirmed.
- Placement occurs only after all required evaluations, documentation reviews, and preparation standards have been met.
09
Commitment Extends Beyond Placement
- Responsibility for the puppy's well-being continues beyond placement.
- Each puppy is supported by a long-term health guarantee reflecting the structured health planning and oversight applied throughout development.
- Families may receive guidance to support continued routine, development, and transition into the home.
- Every placement reflects the full scope of standards upheld across breeding, development, oversight, and preparation.
OUR PROMISE
Built on Trust
Our Code of Ethics exists because families deserve to know that every puppy they welcome home was raised with intention, care, and accountability at every stage.
From the health of the parent dogs to the moment a puppy arrives in your home — and for years after — these principles guide every decision we make. This is our promise to every dog and every family in our network.
OUR PUPPIES
Happy, Healthy Puppies
Every puppy in our care receives comprehensive health screening before joining their new family.
