Shock-Free Coalition Launches Pledge Drive to Educate Pet Professionals and Guardians on the Risks of Using Shock as a Training Tool

TAMPA, Fla. - March 2, 2020 - PRLog -- The Shock-Free Coalition, a global advocacy program spearheaded by the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) to end the practice of using electric shock to train, manage, and care for pets, has announced the launch of a 61-Day Pledge Drive to educate consumers and pet professionals about the benefits of using reward-based training as opposed to the risks associated with using shock collars.

(Edited - Note new dates please) Running from September 20 – Nov 21, 2020, the event will award a range of prizes to individuals and organizations that inspire the most people to Sign the Shock-Free Pledge, a call to action whereby signees commit to the principle that all pets have an intrinsic right to be treated humanely and to live in a safe, enriched environment free from force, pain and fear.

The Pledge Drive is open to anyone that has signed the Shock-Free Pledge. This can be done quickly and easily on the home page of the Shock-Free Coalition's website. From there, participants can log in to their profile and print a number of membership cards, distribute them to friends, family, neighbors, fellow PPG members, professional colleagues, clients, and/or students and ask them to take just three minutes to Sign the Pledge. When signing, referrals simply then enter the recruiter's membership ID into the field between CITY and STATE.

Participants who enlist the most pledges during the pledge period will be eligible for some tempting prizes. The individual or organization that recruits the highest number of pledges will win one free ticket (including hotel room nights) to PPG's 2021 annual educational Summit  as well as a full-page feature on their business in PPG's official trade publication, BARKS from the Guild. The runner-up will receive a free ticket (excluding accommodation) to PPG's 2021 Summit and an invitation to be a guest on a BARKS Podcast to talk about their Pledge Drive. A free ticket (excluding accommodation) to the PPG Summit is also up for grabs for the most pledges recruited by a veterinary professional, animal hospital, or clinic, the most pledges recruited by an animal rescue or shelter, the most pledges recruited by a dog trainer or behavior consultant, the most business pledges accrued to an individual or organization across these three business pledge categories, and the most pledges recruited by a pet guardian. Runners-up in each category will receive a $100 credit with PPG.

The Shock-Free Pledge Drive website will also feature suggestions on how to effectively discuss pledging with both pet guardians and pet professionals, as well as a range of downloadable flyers, promotional materials, webinars, and podcasts to aid them in their recruitment efforts. In addition, suggestions and links will be posted on the Shock-Free Coalition Facebook page  throughout the event.

"The Shock-Free Coalition believes that pets have an intrinsic right to be treated humanely, to have each of their individual needs met, and to live in a safe, enriched environment free from force, pain and fear," said Shock-Free Coalition chairman, Don Hanson. "Through the Pledge Drive, we will be providing a one-stop source for pet professionals who are seeking help with educating their clients, colleagues, friends, and family members about the benefits of using scientifically sound training methods and equipment, as well as the very real risks of fallout from using a shock collar as a training tool. We invite pet professionals and enthusiasts worldwide to participate in the Pledge Drive as we seek to eliminate shock devices from the supply and demand chain and make the world a better place for pets."

"Outdated, punitive training methods that aim to reduce or stop behavior through pain and fear have no place in modern dog training," added PPG president Niki Tudge. "We have a growing body of research via the scientific community that shows the use of aversive training methods, such as electric shock, runs the risk of both physical and psychological damage, with pets shutting down from fear or becoming aggressive towards people and/or other animals. As a result, pets may end up being relinquished to a shelter, inaccurately labeled as 'aggressive,' or, sadly, euthanized. The Shock-Free Coalition's ultimate goal is to prevent this from occurring, and to create a kinder, more informed living environment for both pets and their owners."

About the Pet Professional Guild

The Pet Professional Guild (www.petprofessionalguild.com) is a 501(c)6 is an international membership organization founded on the principles of force-free training and pet care.

About the Shock-Free Coalition

The key purpose of the Shock-Free Coalition is to build a strong and broad movement committed to eliminating shock devices from the supply and demand chain. This goal will be reached when shock tools and equipment are universally unavailable and not permitted for the training, management and care of pets.

Important Links

Shock-Free Coalition: https://www.shockfree.org

Shock-Free Coalition on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shockfreecoalition

Shock-Free Coalition Pledge Drive: https://www.shockfree.org/2020-Pledge-Drive

Key Pet Professional Guild Position Statements

The Use of Shock in Animal Training: http://petprofessionalguild.com/shockcollars

The Use of Remote Electric Shock: http://petprofessionalguild.com/The-Use-of-Remote-Electric-Shock