ABKA, the premier trade association for the pet services industry, has for more than thirty years been a strong and persistent voice in the advancement of operational standards of excellence and service offerings among professional pet care providers. This tradition will now continue under the Pet Care Services Association name.

Since its start in 1977, ABKA, once known as the American Boarding Kennel Association, has been the voice for boarding kennels throughout the United States and 14 other countries. During the past ten years, however, there has seen a shift in the focus of its membership from facilities that offer an almost exclusive emphasis on boarding kennel services to include those that also feature grooming shops, pet training, and dog daycare services. Recognizing the importance of these additional services to the pet care industry and to pet owners in particular, ABKA?s Board of Directors voted to change the organization?s name to the Pet Care Services Association.

Joseph Lyman, CEO of the Pet Care Services Association noted that "this move was made with thoughtful, careful consideration of both the organization?s member needs, as well as the needs of the pet owning public." Although the majority (95%) of the organization?s members provide boarding services, approximately 77% of member facilities also offer grooming services, 72% offer dog daycare services, and 58% offer retail services. Lyman continued by stating that, "the wide range of services offered by the Pet Care Services Association member facilities is helping shape the future of the association in its need to fully represent all types of pet care facilities and the types of member services it offers."

Although the Pet Care Services Association has a long and well-recognized history, the organization and its members are planning for an even brighter future as they collectively continue to reach out to the pet owning public.