STAMFORD, CONN. (May 6, 2025) – The American Pet Products Association (APPA) announced a joint effort by seven pet industry organizations to share strategies and align efforts to mitigate the impacts of tariffs on the pet industry. The coalition includes the American Pet Products Association (APPA), IndiePet, National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), Pet Advocacy Network (PAN), Pet Food Institute (PFI), Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), and World Pet Association (WPA).
Since April 2025, the coalition has met weekly to discuss the latest updates on trade policies to anticipate the effects of policy changes on U.S. pet businesses.
“The coalition is currently engaged in collaborative efforts to address the tariffs across all sectors of the pet industry,” shared Julia Fidenzio-Alicea, APPA chief legal officer. “We are closely examining how tariffs will affect live animals, manufactured products, pet food, and animal pharmaceuticals while also working to ensure our industry’s voice is heard in ongoing discussions with regulatory officials.”
The coalition has issued a call to action for pet industry businesses to share information, including identifying specific countries of concern, a comprehensive list of relevant Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, and stories of anecdotal impact to use in discussions with officials. Impacted businesses can complete an information form.
“Tariffs and trade policy have far-reaching implications for the entire pet care ecosystem—from manufacturers and distributors to retailers and the families they serve,” said Mike Bober, government affairs expert. “We’re committed to ensuring that the voices of the pet industry are heard in policy discussions. By working collaboratively, we aim to advocate for policies that protect pet businesses and the people and pets they care for.”
The coalition will host an educational webinar on May 14, 2025, titled “Unpacking Tariffs: What Pet Businesses Need to Know” to provide actionable insights into the current state of U.S. tariffs and what it means for manufacturers, distributors, retailers and suppliers across the pet sector. Topics will include:
To register for the webinar, please click here.
As tariff discussions progress, collaboration across the pet industry remains key to staying informed, engaged, prepared, and effectively represented. The coalition welcomes additional organizations to join by recommendation or request.