Interview With the Founders of CanineJournal

If you're in the pet industry or consider yourself a pet parent research buff, you've likely heard of CanineJournal. We sat down with founders Michelle & Alex Schenker to get a behind-the-scenes scoop on how Canine Journal came to be. It all started with Michelle, a devoted dog-lover who wanted to save all the dogs but did not have space, time, or money to do so physically. So, she and her husband Alex launched CanineJournal.com, a one-stop resource for all dog tips, questions, and concerns. 

Q: What prompted you to make a career of creating pet-centered content

We have always adored dogs and dreamed of doing something to help this population of unconditional love to enjoy better lives. This was a perfect match for our experience and skillsets, marketing, web development, and writing expertise, and passion for pups.

Q: What obstacles (if any) did you encounter when first working with brands? 

Many partners think they can buy their way into top rankings on our site, but we feel it is necessary to be completely unbiased and honest in our recommendations to consumers. We strongly believe that no one should spend their hard-earned cash on an item that is not truly the best! 

Q: What’s your favorite success story in helping grow a brand? 

We started with Figo when the company had five years of experience in the category, but given their strength, they entered in our top recommendations for pet insurance! This speaks to the comprehensive product and excellent service offered by Figo Pet Insurance. And, given the youth of the company at the time, we have played a part in raising awareness for the brand and all it can offer to help pet parents handle their pet’s finances more responsibly. 

Q: How did you acquire your knowledge about pet health and wellness? 

By having and loving dogs our whole lives and researching/writing about them every single day for the past 15+ years. 

Q: Is there an area of pet advocacy or marketing that you feel is underserved? 

Education around spaying and neutering to better control pet populations globally continues to be a challenge and one we believe in. If you have ever visited a country with dogs literally on the side (or middle) of every road, it is hard to ignore this problem. But it is also a concern in the US, where shelters continue to be overrun with unwanted dogs and cats who need homes. 

Q: What’s the most unusual pet-related product you’ve ever reviewed? 

We recently reviewed DNA poop tests for apartment managers to use with their residents to determine which dog owners are not picking up after their dogs. That was a new one for sure!

Q: How many pets do you have personally, and are any of them rescues? 

We have two rescue dogs that are both adopted from our local Forsyth Humane Society in North Carolina. Lily is 13 years old, and Barley is 3. Both dogs are mixed breeds to the nth degree but are literally the sweetest pups you will ever meet. Despite being adopted 7 years apart, they adore one another.

Looking to do research on all things pet? Head over to CanineJournal for the scoop on every product and pet service under the sun. Oh, and did we mention they voted Figo"Best Value" Pet Insurance in 2022?! Dog parents can read additional Figo reviews here, and if you're a feline mom or dad, you may be interested in Figo voted best for older cats.

Lizz Caputo is a Content Strategist at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.