The Conscientious Breeder County Pilot Program is a voluntary, prevention-first initiative designed to help counties support better breeder education, transparency, and responsible puppy placement before dogs are ever at risk of entering the shelter system.

Rather than focusing on punishment or added regulation, the pilot gives communities practical tools to support conscientious breeders, educate puppy buyers, and create stronger outcomes for dogs, families, and local shelters.

BreedScore is being developed as the only platform that scores breeders based on meaningful criteria from within their breeding program, creating a clearer way to evaluate transparency, responsibility, and trust in the breeding world.

By looking beyond photos, promises, or simple listings, BreedScore helps families better understand the work behind a breeder’s program — including health testing, buyer support, puppy placement practices, education, transparency, and long-term accountability.

The HCBA is a growing community of breeders committed to transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of conscientious breeding practices. The HCBA Certification Program (coming soon) is a voluntary educational program that helps breeders build transparent, well-managed programs rooted in responsible practices and lifelong care for the dogs they produce. It’s about empowering breeders to lead positive change from within.