By Lindsey Wolko, Founder & CEO, Center for Pet Safety
Pet safety has always been personal for me. Long before the Center for Pet Safety (CPS) existed, I was a pet owner who believed that products marketed as “safe” should actually be safe. That belief became a mission the day my dog Maggie was injured in a preventable incident.
Where Our Mission Began
Years ago, Maggie, my sweet English Cocker Spaniel, was riding in the car, secured in a harness that claimed it would protect her in a crash. I trusted the marketing. When I braked suddenly to avoid a collision, the restraint proved far less than effective. Maggie was thrown forward, injuring her spine and hips. It took weeks for her to recover, but thankfully, she survived. The experience revealed a truth most pet owners never imagine: most pet products are untested, unregulated, and many are unsafe.
As Maggie healed, I began reviewing pet products firsthand. What I found was alarming: equipment that broke, toys that fell apart, and “safety” products that had never been scientifically evaluated. The industry is the “Wild West,” and families are unknowingly putting their pets at risk.
I knew something had to change.
Building the First Crash-Test Dog
In 2010, I conducted a pilot study that led to the founding of the Center for Pet Safety as a nonprofit dedicated to independent research and consumer protection. With engineers and safety experts, we built the first scientifically designed crash-test dog that could withstand rigorous testing.
Our pilot study revealed a 100% failure rate among all of the harnesses we tested. Not one product protected the dog models in a crash. That moment solidified our purpose: pet owners deserve safe products, and we need to develop standards they can trust.
Subaru of America stepped forward to fund the full study. They sponsored crash-testing for multiple harnesses using dog models of different sizes.
Only one product met our ideal of safety. The results sparked national attention.
Subaru of America, the sponsor of our landmark study, earned exceptional national visibility and powerful consumer engagement. The initiative was featured across major outlets – including The Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, AP, CNN, and MSN – driving more than 826.5 million impressions and influencing the pet products industry.
Most importantly, this work proved what we had long suspected: without independent oversight, pet safety cannot be guaranteed.
Why Our Work Matters
Most pet products are not regulated by any federal agency. That means families rely on CPS to provide the science, transparency, and accountability the industry lacks.
Our mission is simple:
Protect pets. Protect families. Elevate safety through science.
Breakthroughs & Milestones
Since launching CPS, we have delivered industry-shaping impact:
- Invented the first Crash Test Dog and set global benchmarks for pet travel safety
- Published independent crashworthiness studies that transformed product design
- Created the CPS Certified™ program to guide safer consumer choices
- Advanced injury biomechanics research with leading universities
- Investigated safety failures in toys, food containers, and automatic litter boxes
- Launched PAWS UP® for Safety, a national education initiative for families
Every advancement reflects our commitment to pets, their families, and the communities that care for them.
A Call to Mission-Aligned Partners
Today, CPS is recognized as the independent leader in pet safety research. But the need is greater than ever.
Pet ownership is rising, product categories are expanding, and families are demanding trustworthy information. In fact, 66% of U.S. households own a pet [1] and Americans spent more than $150 billion on pet care in 2025 [2].
To meet this moment, we are inviting foundations and corporate partners to join us in scaling this work.
Partnership Opportunities
- Research Sponsorships. Support independent studies that advance safety, innovation, and consumer protection.
- Education Partnerships. Co-create trusted safety resources, digital guides, and national awareness campaigns that reach millions of families.
- Capacity-Building Support. Strengthen CPS’s ability to expand research, testing, and education through grants and sponsorships that accelerate national impact.
Together, We Can Protect Millions
Our origin story began with one dog and one preventable injury. Today, our work reaches millions, and with the support of mission-aligned partners, we can do even more.
Let’s work together to advance pet and consumer safety while strengthening your organization’s visibility in a growing, high-value market.
Contact: Info@CenterForPetSafety.org | 800-324-2659
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Sources: [1] CitizenShipper 2025 Pet Ownership Cost Report, USA Today; [2] Pet Ownership Statistics 2025, Forbes; [3] U.S. Pet Ownership is on the Rise, Today’s Veterinary Business
