(PRESS RELEASE) BOZEMAN, MT — West Paw announced it has earned recertification as a B Corp. While the assessment process is ever evolving and designed to push companies to improve each certification, we remain committed to the values and purpose of the B Corp movement and are proud that our continuous improvements in these areas result in our recertification for another three years. We’re also proud to have been the first Certified B Corp in the Pet Industry, and to have made an impact across 11 years as a B Corp.
Since our last recertification in 2021, we’ve taken significant steps to improve our commitment to our own vision and purpose, sustainable business practices, ethical and inclusive people-focused programs, and community engagement. We launched our Seaflex line of products that contain 12% recycled ocean-bound and reclaimed plastic. Our treats products utilize highly nutritious organ meats that are typically discarded, and our newest treats are sourced from regenerative ranches and processed close to the source. We’ve also continued to demonstrate a commitment to our employees and our community by offering living wage compensation, more paid time off for Wellness and Volunteering (and just flexibility for life events), helping build a dog park at Bozeman’s newest city park, and launching a dog parade (with proceeds going to local animal shelters) in conjunction with Bozeman’s major summer arts event and parade.
A Certified B Corp is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. In order to achieve certification, a company must:
- Demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and passing B Lab’s risk review.
- Make a legal commitment by changing their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and achieve Benefit Corporation status, if available in their jurisdiction (West Paw is registered as such in the state of Montana).
- Exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance measured against B Lab’s standards to be publicly available on their B Corp profile on B Lab’s website.
West Paw first became a Certified B Corp in 2013 because we believe businesses should be a force for good in the world, helping drive for-profit employers to be more inclusive, equitable, ethical, and sustainable. Plus, we just think it’s the right way to do business. We’re proud that the B Corp movement continues to grow, from just over 1,000 companies certified in 2013, to now over 7,000 worldwide, and are proud to work closely with other B Corps in Bozeman and across Montana to find ways to leverage our collective efforts to make an even greater impact on our employees, the environment, and the community.
