Ben Madilynn
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Oct. 11, 2024 – Pets are beloved family members in Vietnam, and their health and well-being is increasingly important to pet owners, yet many pet owners are not meeting their pets’ basic needs, such as providing complete and quality nutrition, maintaining a vaccination schedule and regularly visiting their veterinarian. As each pet has unique physical and biological needs, this raises concerns about the long-term impact on their health and longevity.
To address the growing need for pet healthcare knowledge and services, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), in collaboration with the Vietnam Small Animal Veterinary Association (VSAVA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), launched the inaugural Pet Health Month campaign in Vietnam.
This campaign aims to elevate pet care standards in Vietnam by promoting proper nutrition by feeding complete and balanced pet food rather than table scraps or homemade food, which, despite the public’s perceptions, does not provide healthy nutrition for pets. The campaign is also encouraging regular veterinary check-ups and teaching responsible pet ownership through a series of events, including activities at veterinary clinics, educational sessions at Nong Lam University, webinars, and a “Super Pet Fest” for pet owners on Oct. 19 at The Youth Cultural House in Ho Chi Minh City. This initiative will allow the AFIA and VSAVA to engage with local pet owners, veterinarians and students to advocate for the benefits of proper pet nutrition for disease prevention and pet well-being.
The campaign kicked off with a successful workshop titled, “Sharing Expertise in Veterinary Clinic Management and Operations,” on Oct. 10 at Petcare Veterinary Hospital, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City. This workshop brought together renowned veterinary experts from VSAVA, including Huynh Thi Thanh Ngoc, Trinh Thi Cam Van, Do Thi Mong Tho, Thai Thi My Hanh and Diep Ngoc Truc to share practical insights and real-world experiences on elevating veterinary clinic management and operations. Attendees engaged in dynamic discussions about veterinary care and fostered collaboration within the veterinary community.
The U.S. pet food industry is excited to see that a growing number of Vietnamese pet owners are willing to invest in professional pet care services and proper nutrition so that their pets live fuller, healthier and longer lives.
“The AFIA and its members can deliver high quality, safe and nutritious pet food, treats and ingredients to the Vietnamese market so that pet parents have the confidence that the foods they are feeding their pets is safe, complete and balanced to meet their nutritional needs,” said Louise Calderwood, AFIA director of regulatory affairs. “Through our partnership with the VSAVA, the AFIA is committed to stressing the importance of the relationship between pet owners and their veterinarians so that their pets receive the best routine, preventative care and good counsel on diets to help their pets thrive, based on their specific life stage and health needs.”
Dr. Le Quang Thong, representative of VSAVA, added:
“Each pet requires a tailored approach to nutrition and physical activity. Pet Health Month in Vietnam is an excellent opportunity to raise public awareness about the importance of pet healthcare and good nutrition. We encourage veterinary clinics to enhance their professionalism and offer top-tier services to meet the diverse needs of pet owners.”
Attending the event, Andrew Anderson-Sprecher, senior agricultural attaché at the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, stated: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture believes in the importance of animal welfare and good veterinary care. I commend AFIA and VSAVA for organizing this important event. Pets are becoming increasingly popular and valued in Vietnam, and the pet food and pet care sector has great growth potential. Events like this offer a valuable opportunity to strengthen U.S. and Vietnam business relations.”
Pet Health Month continues with a series of exciting events:
- Oct. 15: In-depth workshop at Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, focused on sharpening students’ professional skills.
- Oct. 19: Super Pet Fest at the Youth Cultural House. This highly anticipated event will offer free pet health check-ups, live training demonstrations and valuable pet care information. It offers a prime opportunity for pet lovers, veterinary businesses and pet businesses to connect and build a responsible pet-owning community. Interested individuals must register to attend the Super Pet Fest by Oct. 19.
- Oct. 24: Educational workshop at Pet Like Park.
A comprehensive media campaign is underway to promote these events and generate widespread public interest.
The Pet Health Month Festival marks a significant step toward fostering a modern, responsible and well-informed pet-loving community in Vietnam. This groundbreaking collaboration between the AFIA, VSAVA and USDA underscores the bilateral commitment to advancing pet healthcare in the country.
