By Lindsey Wolko, Founder & CEO, Center for Pet Safety

The pet products industry is booming. U.S. pet care spending exceeded $150 billion in 2025.¹

The global market for pet products reached $273.42 billion, with projections rising to $496.75 billion by 2034. North America represented 33.52% of the global market.²

Despite this growth, most pet products remain untested, unregulated, and potentially unsafe. Families assume products on store shelves have been vetted for safety. But in the pet industry, that assumption is often wrong.

This is where independent scientific leadership matters.

Why Independence Matters

Industry groups are currently developing new standards that bring together pet product manufacturers, retailers, consultants, and testing labs. While collaboration can be useful, it also introduces inherent conflicts of interest. When companies that design and sell products help define the safety benchmarks, commercial priorities can overshadow consumer protection.

Safety requirements can be weakened when:

• Manufacturers push for test methods that fit existing designs
• Standards are negotiated for consensus rather than scientific rigor
• Protocols are shaped by cost or convenience
• Failure modes are minimized to avoid redesign or liability

Independent, science-driven evaluation is the only way to ensure safety standards are built around what protects pets and people.

The Independent Authority in Pet Product Safety

The Center for Pet Safety (CPS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing the independent scientific oversight the pet products industry lacks. CPS conducts unbiased research and develops safety standards free from commercial influence, ensuring that pets and families remain the priority.

CPS addresses the industry’s oversight gap through:

• Independent, data-driven research
• Transparent consumer advocacy
• National education and preparedness initiatives
• Standards development grounded solely in safety science

Pet owners regularly report injuries and product failures that should never occur. Their experiences underscore the need for independent science – not manufacturer-guided testing.

Independent Science That Has Redefined Pet Safety

CPS has delivered breakthroughs that reshaped the industry:

• Developed the first Crash Test Dog, establishing global benchmarks for pet travel safety
• Published independent crashworthiness studies that drove improvements in product design
• Created the CPS Certified™ program to help consumers identify safer products
• Advanced injury biomechanics research through partnerships with leading universities

These achievements have influenced manufacturers, informed policymakers, and empowered consumers with trustworthy information.

How CPS Differs From Industry-Led Standards Efforts

The current industry-led initiatives include organizations that manufacture the very products being evaluated. Their participation introduces unavoidable bias – especially when financial interests intersect with safety decisions.

CPS stands apart because:

• We accept no funding from pet product manufacturers
• Our research is independent, transparent, and scientifically validated
• Our standards are designed solely to protect pets and families
• Our testing protocols are developed without compromise or commercial influence

This independence is why consumers, media, and mission-aligned organizations trust CPS as the authoritative voice in pet safety.

How Value Engineering Impacts Product Safety

During CPS testing and subsequent retesting, we’ve witnessed how value engineering can quietly erode product integrity. Fabricators may substitute lower-cost materials, reduce stitch counts, or swap in cheaper hardware to cut expenses or accelerate production timelines. These changes directly affect the performance of products marketed as protective or “safety tested.”

What appears to be a minor adjustment on the production floor can dramatically alter how a product behaves under stress. When components are downgraded or construction methods are altered, the product may no longer perform as originally designed—or as consumers expect. This is precisely why independent verification is essential. Only unbiased scientific evaluation can detect when cost-driven modifications compromise safety.

Why Organizations Choose Center for Pet Safety

When organizations partner with CPS, they gain more than research. Foundations and sponsors gain credibility, visibility, and measurable community impact.

Partnership benefits include:

• Alignment with the most trusted independent authority in pet product safety
• National media visibility and strong public trust
• Enhanced CSR and ESG outcomes
• Co-branded education programs that strengthen community engagement
• Research that supports mission-driven priorities such as safety, innovation, animal welfare, and family well-being

Let’s Advance Pet Safety Together

CPS is the independent voice for pet safety. To explore how CPS can support your organization’s mission, please contact us.

Sources:
(1) CitizenShipper 2025 Pet Ownership Cost Report, USA Today
(2) Pet Care Market Size, Fortune Business Insights