BUSINESS WIRE (USA) 03 September 03 New Survey Shows America's Love Affair With Pets Stronger Than Ever {Excerpts}
Greenwich, Conneticut: If you think the country is going to the dogs -- you're right. It's going to the dogs -- and the cats and fish and iguanas. According to The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), Americans own more pets than ever before. In fact, there are more pets than people in the United States. And, as a show of their affection, American spending on pets has nearly doubled, despite the recent sluggish economy. Responding to this trend are manufacturers and service providers that are offering more lavish pet products and services than ever before.
APPMA's "2003/2004 National Pet Owners Survey" shows pets are playing a bigger role in the American Dream as people become more aware of the health benefits and joys associated with welcoming a pet into the home. Sixty-two percent of all households in the United States now own a pet, which is the highest level recorded since APPMA began monitoring ownership in 1988 when ownership was 56 percent.
This love affair with pets has fueled one of the country's healthiest industries, with sales of pet products now at $31 billion, outpacing the human popular toy industry ($20.3 billion in annual sales) and the candy industry ($24 billion). It has also spurred the creation of toys, clothing, bedding, furniture and treats that rival those of humans.
"The products and services that are making up a growing portion of this beast of an industry could knock your cat's socks off," said Bob Vetere, COO of APPMA. "Not only are pet owners treating their pets like a child or family member, in some cases they're treating them like royalty, indulging them in massages and gourmet dinners from pet menus at some of the country's finest hotels."
According to the survey, more than half of America's pet owners buy gifts for their pets. Sixty percent of dog, cat, bird and small animal owners have purchased a gift for their pet, while three out of 10 fish and reptile owners have also bought their pet a gift. And while Christmas is a given, most pet owners say they give their pets gifts for no special occasion; couldn't we all be so lucky?!
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With 77 million cats, 65 million dogs, 16 million small animals, 17 million birds, nine million reptiles, seven million saltwater fish, 185 million freshwater fish and counting... America's love affair with pets, and the array of products they lavish them with, is sure to keep growing.
Every two years APPMA's National Pet Owner's Survey, the pet industry's most comprehensive consumer research study, examines demographics, buying habits and other traits of U.S. owners of dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles and small animals.
Founded in 1958, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association is the nation's leading not-for-profit trade organization serving the interests of the pet product industry and educating the public on the many joys and health benefits associated with pet ownership. APPMA's membership consists of nearly 700 companies, which include both small businesses, as well as the nation's leading pet product companies.
New Survey Shows America's Love Affair With Pets Stronger Than Ever

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• Press: New Survey Shows America's Love Affair With Pets Stronger Than Ever - W von Papineäu, Fri Sep 5 11:58:04 2003