The power of shared learning, collaborative problem-solving, and civil discourse will be on display as Purdue University’s Croney Research Group hosts the 2026 Canine Welfare Science Conference in Lafayette, Indiana May 29-30. The theme of the two-day event is “Old problems, new solutions: breaking silos and building bridges to support ethical, sustainable sourcing of dogs and the human-dog bond.”
Held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Lafayette, the program will engage leaders within the breeding, pet industry, sheltering, and academic and veterinary communities in order to examine how different stakeholders think about and approach canine welfare. More information is available here, including links to register for the conference.
Addressing public demand for dogs while ensuring their welfare needs are met requires knowledge and insights about the scientific, ethical, and economic considerations that must be balanced now and in the future. Conference participants will discuss common needs and challenges, such as rehoming, welfare-friendly kennel design and canine behavior management. An introduction to the sciences of animal welfare and their applications to evidence-based assessment of dog welfare and responsible practice and policy will be offered.
Leading the conference, and serving as one of the main speakers, is Dr. Candace Croney, director of the Center for Animal Welfare Science and professor of animal behavior and well-being, with a joint appointment in the Purdue University College of Agriculture and College of Veterinary Medicine. Additional well-known and respected speakers on the program include Dr. Sara Bennett (PU DVM 2006), assistant clinical professor at North Carolina State University, who is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists; Dr. Clive Wynne, professor of psychology at Arizona State University; Cole Wakefield of the Good Shepherd Humane Society and a member of the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement; Abbie Moore, chief product officer with DocuPet, a pet registration, identification and lost pet reunification platform; and Dr. Judi Stella, research specialist in Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology.
Attendees will gain a foundation that empowers them to envision and test new solutions while cultivating the compassion, new partnerships and leaders needed to create a better world for dogs and the people who love and care for them. The program is open to all with interest in the topic. New and previous program attendees are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The program will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, and will conclude on Saturday, May 30 at 4:00 p.m. Thanks to the generosity of the event sponsors, a limited number of scholarships are available to help cover registration and other costs of attendance. Scholarships will be awarded based on need on a first-come, first-served basis. Email crg@purdue.edu to learn more.
