Association for Pet Obesity Prevention
APOP helps veterinary teams and pet owners recognize, discuss, prevent, and manage excess weight and obesity in companion animals.
Excess body fat can affect comfort, mobility, quality of life, and long-term health. APOP works to make conversations about pet weight clearer and less stigmatizing while improving how body condition, nutrition, and weight-related health are understood.
Through prevalence research, educational resources, clinical tools, public awareness, and collaborative initiatives, APOP supports better weight-related care for dogs, cats, and the people who care for them.
More than two decades of pet obesity research and education
APOP was founded in 2005 by veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward after observing a steady rise in excess weight and obesity among patients in his small-animal practice. He saw a growing need for greater awareness, better assessment, and more consistent approaches to prevention and care.
In 2006, APOP conducted an early clinical prevalence survey examining body condition in dogs and cats presented to veterinary practices. Those early findings helped establish an ongoing effort to track pet obesity and better understand changes in companion animal body condition.
Since then, APOP has continued studying prevalence trends and exploring how pet owners and veterinary teams understand body condition, nutrition, weight management, and the health effects associated with excess adiposity.
From awareness to clinical obesity care
APOP focuses on pet obesity research, prevalence surveillance, prevention, education, and public awareness.
Clinical guidance for defining, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring obesity as a chronic disease is available through the World Pet Obesity Association (WPOA).
WPOA is a separate, independently operated veterinary organization focused on advancing evidence-informed clinical standards and care for obesity in companion animals.
The Global Pet Obesity Initiative
The Global Pet Obesity Initiative brought veterinary organizations together around shared approaches to defining, assessing, and addressing obesity in companion animals.
The initiative supports greater consistency in body condition assessment, terminology, professional communication, research, and recognition of obesity as a chronic health condition.
- Supports a consistent clinical definition of pet obesity
- Promotes standardized body condition assessment
- Encourages international collaboration in research and education
- Supports recognition of obesity as a chronic health condition
Working together for healthier pets
APOP works with veterinary professionals, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, companies, and community partners to support research, education, outreach, and practical resources for veterinary teams and pet owners.
Partnership support helps APOP expand its prevalence research, educational programs, professional resources, and public outreach.
Thank You to Our Charter Sponsors
Mission Partners
Working Together to Solve Pet Obesity
We partner with veterinary teams, universities, companies, and community organizations to advance pet obesity awareness, education, and research. If your organization is interested in collaborating on an educational campaign, awareness initiative, or research project, please contact us at the email below.
Ways to Partner With APOP
Whether you’re a veterinary team, university, company, or community organization, there’s a path to join the mission.
Sponsorship
Become a sponsor to help fuel surveys, create new tools, and get the word out about your solutions.
Contact Us About SponsorshipEducational Partnership
Collaborate on educational campaigns, awareness initiatives, and research projects that support veterinary teams, universities, and communities in preventing and treating pet obesity.
Contact Us About an Educational Partnership