As we mark GAPFA’s 10th anniversary, we are proud to look back on a decade of commitment, collaboration, and key milestones that have helped advance the pet food industry worldwide. Since its establishment in 2014, GAPFA has dedicated itself to supporting the health and well-being of dogs and cats while promoting the many benefits of sharing life with them.

Over the years, GAPFA has built meaningful relationships with leading organisations, notably signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). GAPFA has also developed partnerships with key stakeholders including the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) to advance and promote pet wellness around the world, and with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) to share global research insights into the benefits of owning pets.

GAPFA’s membership of companies and national/regional associations has grown to include 18 members, representing over 90% of global pet food production, uniting diverse perspectives from around the world under a common mission. With their support, we’ve organised GAPFA congresses across the globe aimed at discussing the latest regional developments as well as addressing topics such as innovation, sustainability, and transparency in food production.

Together, we’ve released the GAPFA Global Pet Food Safety Guidance which serves as a general self-regulation framework for pet food manufacturers to produce safe pet food and to provide guidance on safety criteria facilitating international trade. GAPFA has also developed Guidance on Dog and Cat Food Nutrition Guidelines, an invaluable resource for pet food manufacturer associations on selecting recommended nutrition guidelines. Our most recent publication, the GAPFA Guidance on Trading of Pet Food Samples, aims to provide assistance in navigating different approaches to importing sample management.

In tandem, we’ve published other key resources, including our series of GAPFA factsheets, crafted to provide educational information regarding the global pet food industry, pet food safety, dog and cat nutrition, and responsible pet ownership. Building on that, this year we launched a GAPFA LinkedIn page to expand our digital reach of sharing GAPFA updates, simultaneously engaging a wider audience and strengthening our partnerships.

As we look back on a decade of GAPFA, we also celebrate the opportunities of collaboration and shared expertise that lay ahead!