Pets Canada Expands Global Opportunities for Members with Innovative Partnership in Asia
Ottawa, Ontario – September 3, 2025 – Pets Canada is proud to announce a new opportunity for Canadian pet product manufacturers to explore Asian markets through an exclusive partnership with AlgoGroup and its groundbreaking Pounce Program.
Since 1996, Pets Canada has supported members in taking their first steps onto the international stage. From early successes in Europe and South America to recent expansions into Asia through the Canadian Pavilion program, many Canadian trailblazers have paved the way for today’s small- and medium-sized pet product manufacturers. With this growth comes a new challenge: export-ready members want cost-effective strategies to enter international markets while remaining true to their Canadian roots.
The ideal solution is here: a safe, affordable way to test products in Asia before committing.
Last year, Pets Canada began discussions with AlgoGroup about its Pounce Program. Algo specializes in connecting Canadian pet product manufacturers—including those producing food, treats, supplements, and wellness products—with Asian markets.
“The road isn’t always straightforward when it comes to entering new markets,” explains Chris Fung, AlgoGroup founder. “Trade shows, countless networking hours, and costly product sampling can often feel like a complicated puzzle, with no promise of tangible results. We designed the Pounce program to help innovative pet concepts gain a leg up in global expansion by connecting manufacturers with the best in-country distributors for their products.”
How the Program Works
- Market Mapping using AI-assisted data science techniques– Determine where and how well a product will sell.
- Product Testing – Pair Canadian product samples with established local brands for e-commerce market testing.
- Targeted Marketing & Distribution – Use real-world data to develop market-specific strategies.
Exclusive to Pets Canada members, the Pounce Program enables Canadian companies to explore new markets without a large upfront investment. Current participants include WellyTails Canada, Dofu Cat, Olimega Farm, Trueleaf Petcare Inc., and more.
“We wanted to give our export ready members the best chance possible to grow their businesses. It was clear to us that the AlgoGroup understood Canadian pet product manufacturers well and would be able to provide our members with a solid path forward.” say Christine Carriere, President and CEO of Pets Canada”
Why Canadian Brands?
“The reason we want to work with Pets Canada members specifically is because entering new markets can feel like navigating a maze,” says Fung. “Canadian brands, celebrated for their natural, high-quality ingredients and proudly unbound by large corporate ownership, perfectly embody Algo’s ethos of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with independent innovators. Pets Canada, as the country’s leading industry organization, champions these very qualities and unites the entrepreneurs we’re proud to support.”
With ongoing uncertainty in global trade relations, Canadian companies are increasingly seeking new opportunities to diversify their export efforts. The Pounce Program offers Pets Canada members a low-risk, high-reward option to navigate Asian markets more confidently and cost-effectively, ensuring their products reach the right consumers in the right regions.
Contact Information
For more information on the Pounce Program, please contact, Allison Tan, Community Associate, AlgoGroup – pounce@algogroup.io
For questions to the Pets Canada team, please contact, Bernard Lalonde, Sr. Manager, Global Programs bernard.lalonde@petscanada.org
