Subsidiary of the ZZF – WZF - Pet Industry Services
Service company for the pet industry
Professional partnerships for new business opportunities
WZF is the fully-owned business entity of ZZF, the leading German Pet Trade & Industry Association (ZZF). ZZF focuses on the responsible pet ownership and the joy of living together with pets. The association promotes optimal framework conditions for the economic activities of the players of the sector. Its ethics provide the basis for the activities of its subsidiary Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe (WZF).
On an international scale, the pet and pet supplies business is a 190 billion Euros market, and expected to grow further in the future. WZF gives access to markets, target groups and players in the pet sector. The business segments include high-quality services, products and platforms contributing to the economic and communicative development of the pet industry.
This includes
- trade shows and events
- publishing activities
- learning and training, conferences, forums, and symposiums, and
- Ringstelle - the state's agency for identification markings for protected species
Why working with WZF?
WZF covers a unique and value-adding position within the pet business environment. The company is closely connected with all the players in the market: retail and wholesale, pet supplies companies, research and academia, training and education, promotion and PR, media and communication.
WZF - Pet Industry Services
- provides solutions covering the planning, coordination and execution of projects,
- is the industry’s medium through public relations as well as market research,
- provides publications and platforms,
- is a show and event organizer,
- runs databases and the agency for identification markings for protected species
WZF pioneers new business opportunities and is the gateway to turning know-how and expertise into business success. At the ZZF and WZF office in Wiesbaden, Germany, a multi-professional team of currently 22 people works for the benefit of the pet industry.
Trade fairs and events
Interzoo – flagship trade show of the pet business
WZF – Pet Industry Services organizes the industry's flagship trade show Interzoo in Nuremberg, Germany, in partnership with the German Pet Trade & Industry Association ZZF as the founder and honorary sponsor. WZF is the owner and organizer of the biennal world’s largest international trade fair for pet supplies. Interzoo is the driving force of the industry and a platform for innovations and communication. With about 2,400 exhibitors and about 29,000 trade visitors from 130 countries at the last event, Interzoo is the undisputed world’s leading international fair of the pet industry. Since 1988, WZF has engaged NürnbergMesse GmbH to operate the trade fair.
The ethical rules and standards on pet handling of ZZF are unique differentiators of the Interzoo show, and applied by WZF guaranteeing a professional trade fair with a benefit-oriented focus.
Professional events
Events stimulate exchange and discussion between experts, business and politics. On behalf of the ZZF, the WZF organises various platforms that take into account the needs of members, experts and politicians alike.
Learning and training
The WZF promotes professional competence and expertise through additional certifications; in addition, the ZZF Heimtier Akademie and the Interzoo Academy offer digital plattforms for learning and training.
Publisher
WZF publishes brochures, studies, annuals, trade literature such as training manuals and market data.
Online platforms
WZF's online portals are aimed at B2C and B2B audiences and provide expert information and professional advice.
wirfuerstier.de is a website offering information and advice to animal lovers on acquiring and properly keeping pets. The site also highlights careers and training opportunities for people interested in working with animals.
my-fish.org is the online platform dedicated to aquaristics, supporting both beginners and experienced aquarists since 2010 and promoting an understanding of sustainable aquaristics, biodiversity, and professional expertise. The community receives helpful tips and support through various editorial formats such as “my-fish TV” and podcasts.
my-fish.org by the numbers
5.4 million website visitors annually
67,550 podcast listeners
200,000 views of my-fish TV
10,100 newsletter subscribers
Currently, the portal features 570 detailed advice pages, 2,237 profiles in the Fish Library, 451 podcast episodes, and 119 episodes of “my-fish TV.”
zza publishing
zoologischer zentral anzeiger zza, (founded in 1905) is the trade magazine for the German speaking pet industry and is published 10 times a year by zza-Verlag of WZF in Wiesbaden. The editor of the IVW-checked magazine is ZZF. In addition to zza, WZF also publishes the weekly zza.Die Woche newsletter, and zza-online.de.
zza publishes the latest news from the pet industry and specialist articles on pets, merchandise knowledge, new products, product range management, training and legal issues, marketing and business management, reports from trade and industry, including the activities of the ZZF, VZFS - Swiss-Info (Switzerland) and WKO - Austria-Info (Austria).
Market data
The WZF conducts a survey on pet ownership and the pet population in Germany and regularly publishes this data and the sales of the German pet industry.
The German Pet Market 2025 - Structure & Sales Data (English)
Ringstelle - Official agency for identification markings for protected species
The german Federal Ministry for the Environment has appointed ZZF to issue identification markings for protected species. The association has commissioned WZF's Ringstelle for the sale and registration of these identification aids, such as bird rings, transponders for mammals, and terrarium animals. The registration and marking obligation is intended to prevent illegal trade in protected animals. Ringstelle takes orders, sends anklets and transponders to breeders, zoos or animal parks and maintains the database.
Contact WZF - Management
Gordon Bonnet
CEO
Alexandra Facklamm
CFO WZF GmbH
Contact WZF - Fairs and Exibitions
Dr. Rowena Arzt
Head of Exhibitions / CEO International Pet Business IPB GmbH
Contact WZF - Publishing and Training
Antje Schreiber
Head of Communications, Education & Training
