Mush with P.R.I.D.E.
Hetta Huskies benchmarked its kennel against the international Mush with PRIDE standard and earned its highest rating, Certification Plus.
MUSH with P.R.I.D.E. (Providing Responsible Information on a Dog's Environment) offers the only internationally recognised industry standard in the sleddog world, so we baselined our kennel against it. Our local vet assessed the farm against its standards and guidelines. We passed, exceeded them in many areas, and earned the highest possible rating, Certification Plus.
- Hetta Huskies achieved Certification Plus - PRIDE's highest possible rating
- PRIDE = Providing Responsible Information on a Dog's Environment
- Voluntary Kennel Inspection Program defines 11 mandatory health and welfare standards
- Certification Plus requires meeting most of 8 additional criteria
- Earned a Gold award at the 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards (Best Animal Welfare Initiative)
What our certification shows
This is the industry's current symbol of excellence, and it reflects the emphasis we place on our dogs' care. The certificate confirms our kennel is clean and well kept, the dogs healthy and happy, the houses and living systems in good repair and suited to our dogs and weather, water freely available, food well stored and of good quality, the pack well behaved with each other and with humans, pups and veterans cared for equally, and breeding deliberate and restricted.
More about Mush with PRIDE
PRIDE was founded in the 1990s in response to attacks on the industry by animal rights groups, aimed mainly at racing kennels. Its voluntary Sled Dog Care Guidelines cover yards and housing, feeding and watering, training and conditioning, health care, kennel sizes, whelping, and full life-cycle planning through geriatric care and end of life.
Members may join a Voluntary Kennel Inspection Program defining 11 mandatory health and welfare standards on food, water, shelter, confinement, socialisation and quality of life, certified by independent inspection from a vet, veterinary technician, animal enforcement officer or bylaw officer. 'Certification Plus' requires meeting the majority of eight additional criteria on kennelling, breeding, whelping and emergency evacuation plans.
The limitations of Mush with PRIDE
PRIDE remains the leading worldwide standard, but its rules are voluntary, unenforceable in law and thin in several critical areas. Many believe it is time for mandatory standards alongside regionally appropriate codes of good conduct. Our work to this end earned a Gold award in the 'Best Animal Welfare Initiative' category of the 2015 World Responsible Tourism Awards.
Good to know
- Core standards
- 11 mandatory health and welfare standards
- Award
- Gold, World Responsible Tourism Awards 2015 (Best Animal Welfare Initiative)
Ready when you are
Real wilderness, 200+ huskies, eighteen winters in.