Frequently Asked Questions about the Healthy Trade Institute
General Questions
What is the Healthy Trade Institute (HTI)?
HTI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the responsible and sustainable trade of amphibians and reptiles by certifying businesses that adhere to best practices for animal health, welfare, and environmental safety.
What does it mean to be “Healthy Trade Certified”?
Being Healthy Trade Certified means a business has met rigorous standards for animal care, biosecurity, and environmental stewardship to ensure safe, ethical, and sustainable practices.
Why is the Healthy Trade Institute focused on amphibians and reptiles?
Amphibians and reptiles are particularly vulnerable to diseases and habitat loss, and their trade can pose risks to wild populations and ecosystems. HTI’s mission is to support practices that mitigate these risks while fostering a sustainable trade system.
For Businesses
How can my business become Healthy Trade Certified?
You can start by reviewing our certification requirements and becoming a member. After becoming a business member, we’ll work with you to assess your operations and guide you through the certification process. Businesses of all sizes are welcomed – even hobbyists that occasionally sell amphibians or reptiles for pets.
What are the benefits of becoming Healthy Trade Certified?
Certification demonstrates your commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, enhances your credibility with customers and stakeholders, and helps protect the long-term viability of the amphibian trade. Find out about more benefits for businesses and pet owners at these links.
How long does the certification process take?
The timeline varies depending on the size and complexity of your business. However, most businesses can expect the process to take 1 – 4 months from becoming a member to certification.
Are there fees associated with certification?
Yes, there is a membership fee depending on your annual sales of amphibians and reptiles. Your membership fee includes online instruction for how to incorporate healthy trade practices into your operations, individual guidance on how to collect swab samples from your animals to test for harmful pathogens, and up to 10 hours per year of consultation in disease containment and treatment if there is a positive detection of a harmful pathogen. The HTI can also help protect businesses from government intervention and serve as a liaison for public communications. Businesses can estimate costs for HTI participation using our budget analysis tool.
Importantly, it is expected that most businesses will recoup their investments and possibly increase profits by participating in the HTI certification program because pet owners are willing to pay more for animals that are healthy trade certified. See the Science Behind Us.
What pathogens do the Healthy Trade Institute require to test?
Amphibians:
All amphibian species are included in the HTI Certification Program. HTI requires testing for key pathogens that pose significant risks to amphibian health and ecosystems, including chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd], B. salamandrivorans [Bsal]) and ranavirus.
Reptiles:
Currently, bearded dragons and ball pythons are included in the HTI Certification Program. These species were chosen because they are the most commonly sold species in the US. The target pathogens for these species are Agamid adenovirus 1 (bearded dragons) and Cryptosporidium serpentis (ball pythons). The HTI will be expanding to other reptile species and pathogens later in 2025 and 2026.
Who performs the testing for the HTI Healthy Trade Certification program?
Only approved diagnostic laboratories can process samples for HTI business members. These laboratories have passed Quality Control testing, demonstrating their high competency in detecting the target pathogens.
Why doesn’t the Healthy Trade Institute test for Salmonella?
The HTI focuses its programs on pathogens that can be harmful to animals. Salmonella is a naturally occurring bacterium in many reptiles and amphibians, and is generally not considered a disease agent in these animals. Instead, it’s a zoonotic risk to humans. Since Salmonella cannot be eradicated from most reptiles and amphibians without compromising their health, HTI focuses on educating businesses and consumers about proper hygiene and handling practices to minimize the risk of Salmonella transmission.
For Consumers
Why should I look for the Healthy Trade Certified certification seal when buying amphibians?
The HTI seal ensures that the animals were sourced and cared for in ways that prioritize health, welfare, and sustainability. By choosing HTI certified businesses, you’re supporting ethical trade practices.
Why does the Healthy Trade Institute certify businesses rather than individual pet animals?
Certifying a business provides a more holistic approach to ensuring animal health, welfare, and environmental safety. By focusing on the business as a whole, we can assess and promote best practices across all aspects of operations, including sourcing, care, biosecurity, and sustainability. This comprehensive approach has a greater impact than certifying individual animals, as it ensures that every animal within the business is cared for according to the highest standards.
How can I find Healthy Trade Certified businesses?
We maintain a directory of certified businesses on our website. Visit https://healthytrade.org/membership/ to find certified retailers, breeders, and other businesses that support HTI’s mission.
What is the Herp Adoption Program?
The Herp Adoption Program is an initiative by the Healthy Trade Institute designed to provide responsible rehoming opportunities for reptiles and amphibians that are surrendered, retired from breeding programs, or otherwise in need of new homes. A unique aspect of the HTI Herp Adoption Program is that surrendered animals receive health evaluations and are tested for pathogens targeted by the HTI Certification Program, thus ensuring the health of adopted animals. By partnering with businesses, rescue organizations, and herpetology enthusiasts, the program ensures that these animals are placed in knowledgeable, caring environments that prioritize their health and welfare. This program not only supports ethical practices but also helps reduce the risk of unwanted animals being released into the wild, where they could pose ecological threats (see resources on “Don’t Let it Loose” website).
Environmental & Ethical Concerns
How does HTI help prevent the spread of amphibian diseases?
Our certification standards require businesses to implement rigorous biosecurity measures, including proper quarantine protocols, health monitoring, and sanitation practices to minimize disease risks.
What role does HTI play in conservation?
HTI supports conservation by promoting sustainable trade practices, reducing pressure on wild populations, and raising awareness about the importance of protecting amphibians and their habitats. See Habitattitude and Don’t Let it Loose websites.
For Partners & Stakeholders
Can conservation organizations partner with HTI?
Absolutely! We welcome partnerships with conservation groups, researchers, and other stakeholders who share our mission. Please reach out to us to explore collaboration opportunities.
How can I support HTI’s mission?
Businesses can become members of the HTI, sponsors with different levels of giving, or endorse our programs. Pet owners can support the HTI by purchasing animals from HTI certified businesses. Pet owners can also donate through one-time or recurring giving options. Both businesses and pet owners can help spread the word about HTI’s mission! Here are links to our membership and giving pages. You can also sign-up for HTI email communications through our contact page.
Miscellaneous
Where is HTI based?
HTI is headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, but our certification and advocacy efforts extend nationwide and beyond.
How can I contact HTI?
You can reach us via email at [email protected] or through the contact form on our website.