American Pet Association

Last updated
American Pet Association
AbbreviationAPA
Formation1991;34 years ago (1991)
FoundersRichard “Rich” Werner and Marcie Sapp
Type Nonprofit association
Legal status Limited Liability Company in Florida
PurposeProvide services to pet owners and advocacy for pet ownership
Location
Region served
United States
ServicesPet registration, pet friendly business promotion, pet safty education, and advocacy work
Membership250,000 (2011)
Dr. Steve Hansen, Jason Raines, and Melissa Walley
Website myapaonline.us

The American Pet Association is an American pet organization founded in 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia. [1] It is formed as an LLC out of Florida and has offices in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Colorado. [2]

The Executive Director is Richard Werner who was one of the founding members of the organization. By 2019, there were at least 25 employees at the organization. [3] In 2020 it said it would temporarily suspend it operations due to Covid-19. As of 2025 it had not updated its web site since the announcement.

History

The organization is based as a membership organization for pet owners providing "Guardian" and "Guardian VIP" memberships since 1992. As of August 2011, they have over 250,000 members.

Since 1995, they have provided media services including research and statistics to the media.

In 1996, they started offering "Humane Services" donating their Guardian Memberships to humane agencies as well as dry erase kennel ID cards, employees badges, educational materials, pet collars and fundraising assistance at no charge to the humane agency. [4]

In 2009, they began offering "Pet Mediation" services aimed at helping businesses and couples experiencing pet related disputes. [5] Also in 2009 they launched a "Scholastic Fundraising" program aimed at helping schools raise funds and educating children on proper pet care. This is a not for profit program. [6]

In 2010, it launched a Pet Product and Pet Business Approval Program. They have a proprietary business approval process and provide testing, inspections, background checks and an ongoing consumer feedback system. [7]

In 2011, it launched a "Community Pet Plan" program offering "Planned Pet Communities" to residential apartment complexes and other communities. They help to establish communities as "pet friendly", manage pet complaints and provide mediation. [8]

In 2020, it said on its web site that "Due to the impact on Covid on the ability to find employees the APA is temporarily suspending new business operations. We will continue to service existing members and Business Approvals." [9]

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". Archived from the original on 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  2. ↑ "American Pet Association Accreditation to Local Pet Sitting Service". News Wire. February 15, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Employees". American Pet Association.
  4. ↑ "Humane Network". American Pet Association.
  5. ↑ "Home". Archived from the original on 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  6. ↑ "Community Pet Plan". American Pet Association.
  7. ↑ "Apa Approved". American Pet Association. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Welcome". American Pet Association.
  9. ↑ "APA is temporarily suspending new business operations". American Pet Association. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
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