About the Asociation for Pet Obesity Prevention
The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) helps veterinary teams and pet owners recognize, discuss, prevent, and treat obesity and weight-related disorders in companion animals.
Pet obesity affects comfort, mobility, quality of life, and long-term health. APOP exists to make these conversations easier, reduce stigma, improve clinical consistency, and support better care for dogs, cats, and the families who love them.
Through prevalence surveys, clinical tools, position statements, educational initiatives, and policy leadership, APOP works to improve how excess body fat is measured, understood, and treated in veterinary medicine.
Nearly two decades of pet obesity research and education
APOP was founded by Dr. Ernie Ward after observing a steady rise in obesity among patients in his small animal practice. Practicing in a coastal retirement community, he recognized parallels between human and companion animal health trends and saw a growing need for clinical leadership focused on prevention, assessment, and treatment.
In 2006, APOP conducted its first pilot prevalence survey. The results indicated that more than half of pets assessed by veterinary professionals were overweight or had obesity, closely mirroring patterns seen in human public health data.
Since then, APOP has continued tracking prevalence trends and examining how pet owners and veterinary teams understand body condition, nutrition, and the long-term health impacts of excess adiposity.
From awareness to treatment
The APOP Clinical Framework for Pet Obesity outlines a structured, evidence-informed model for advancing the clinical recognition, prevention, and treatment of excess adiposity in companion animals.
Building on nearly two decades of prevalence research and educational leadership, the framework defines standards for diagnosis, communication, and long-term management.
While APOP remains committed to awareness and prevention, the profession must also move toward consistent treatment protocols, measurable outcomes, and recognition of obesity as a chronic disease.
The Global Pet Obesity Initiative
The Global Pet Obesity Initiative advances a unified international framework for defining, assessing, and addressing clinical obesity in companion animals.
Developed in collaboration with leading veterinary organizations, the initiative supports consistent standards for diagnosis, communication, and long-term management worldwide.
- Establishes a uniform clinical definition of pet obesity
- Promotes standardized body condition scoring
- Supports global collaboration in research and education
- Advances recognition of obesity as a chronic disease
Working together for healthier pets
APOP collaborates with veterinary teams, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, companies, and community partners to support education, research, clinical tools, and evidence-based communication about pet obesity.
Partnership support helps expand APOP’s educational resources, prevalence research, and outreach for veterinary teams and pet owners.
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