CANINE WELFARE | SpotitEarly

TECH & SCIENCE / Canine welfare

Canine Care and Welfare at SpotitEarly

At SpotitEarly, we view our dogs as essential members of our workforce. We believe the success of our product—the test result—is directly tied to how well we treat our canine partners.

Our dogs are not lab animals! They’re detection dogs, carefully trained using positive reinforcement and deeply bonded with their trainers. They are part of our team, treated with love, respect, compassion, and care every step of the way.

For our dogs, work is play

Dogs, by nature hunters, are evolutionarily programmed for prey drive, which is expressed in our activity of playing with a ball that simulates the action of hunting and in food rewards. They are rewarded with positive reinforcement and share a strong bond with their handlers, receiving love and praise throughout their tasks. Their training and scent work are designed to be enjoyable, fostering their natural abilities while ensuring they remain happy and engaged.

Dogs are intelligent and curious animals. Working with us provides them with intellectual stimulation, light physical activity, and strong emotional bonds with their trainers.

Training, Enrichment, and Daily Life

Our dogs are active in training sessions between two to three hours per day, with at least 30-minute breaks between training rounds. Outside of training hours, the dogs enjoy environmental enrichment, including walks in countryside fields, interactive play with their caretakers and trainers, and free playtime in shared yards adjacent to their compounds.

Dedicated caregivers ensure this happens every single day.

24/7 Care and Supervision

Experienced caretakers are responsible for the dogs throughout the day, including cleaning the compound, walks, playtime, and general care.

The dogs live in climate-controlled, well-ventilated kennels equipped with air conditioning for temperature regulation, each compound is fitted with a thermometer and a sensor that alerts us to any temperature deviations.

Security cameras are installed throughout the compounds, and staff can access a mobile application to remotely monitor the facilities at any time, Each dog has its own individual space, equipped with a sleeping platform, food, and fresh water.

They are provided with high-quality food tailored to their body weight. Every three hours — including during the night — a staff member enters the compound area to ensure everything is in order.

Our dogs receive regular veterinary care and eat food approved by a board-certified veterinarian.

Ethics and Transparency

SpotitEarly holds itself to the highest standards of animal welfare, not because it’s required, but because it reflects our values. Even though scent training isn’t considered animal testing by law, we choose to go further, ensuring our dogs receive the best care possible at every stage.

Our documented procedures, daily care routines, and work instructions reflect our deep commitment to animal welfare, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Living conditions that not only adhere to but exceed the requirements of the International Working Dog Breeding Association (IWDBA), Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AALAC), Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Detector Guidelines (SWGDOG) and USDA AWA.

Although SpotitEarly does not fall under the definitions of breeders, exhibitors, or research facilities outlined in the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations (AHIS 41-35-076), we voluntarily comply with the standards described in these regulations, commonly known as the “Blue Book.”

Our commitment goes beyond compliance. SpotitEarly not only meets but exceeds the requirements of the Blue Book in several areas.

By prioritizing the well-being of our dogs, SpotitEarly demonstrates its dedication to ethical practices and the exceptional care of the animals that are essential to our mission.