What is the Healthy Trade Institute?
The HTI is a 501(c)(3) U.S. nonprofit organization that is empowering businesses to champion healthy trade practices that enhance the wellbeing of pets and wildlife.
Healthy pets, healthy wildlife, healthy trade
We envision a future where businesses lead the way in promoting ethical & sustainable trade practices, fostering a harmonious balance between commerce and conservation where the wellbeing of pets and wildlife is prioritized; ensuring the health and prosperity of both pets and wildlife populations worldwide.
Built by scientists and industry partners
The HTI coordinates a healthy trade certification program developed by leading scientists and industry partners. The program helps ensure the sale and trade of animals that are not infected with selected pathogens that can negatively impact pets and wildlife.
What HTI provides
- Training to businesses
- Assistance to help businesses incorporate healthy trade practices into animal care
- Coordination of routine testing for diseases with validated diagnostic laboratories
- Help with response in the event of a positive detection of a selected pathogen
Growing the program
The HTI was created in 2024 to organize and launch the healthy trade certification program. The program is launching with a focus on pet amphibians, but will be expanded to reptiles in 2025, and possible other taxa (e.g., tropical fish) thereafter.
This is currently a U.S.-focused program, but could be expanded to include other countries.
Businesses interested in these possible future expansions are encouraged to contact Dr. Gray.
History of the HTI
The HTI was born out of a partnership between the U.S. pet amphibian trade industry and university scientists. Motivation for its creation started after the U.S. government banned the importation of >200 species of salamanders because of the threat of a fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans. Pet Advocacy Network, Reptiles by Mack, and Josh's Frogs approached Dr. Matt Gray about alternative solutions to trade bans.
With a seed grant from the University of Tennessee One Health Initiative, Dr. Gray organized research to investigate the interest of U.S. businesses and consumers in a healthy trade certification program. Five publications in 2023 authored by Dr. Gray's team provided overwhelming evidence of business support of additional efforts to ensure a disease-free trade and U.S. consumers' preference to purchase, even at a higher price, amphibians that are certified as pathogen free.
Using this scientific evidence as motivation, Dr. Gray organized scientific experts and business partners in 2023 to develop a first-of-its-kind industry-led healthy trade certification program that integrates best-known science and industry perspectives to limit pathogens in trade.
Support our mission
Become a member or make a tax-deductible gift to help build a healthier trade for pets and wildlife.