| The impact of recession on consumer spending and | | | | brands. |
| attitudes has been rather small in the pet industry | | | | Pets are drawing attention of larger retailers which |
| and 2009 statistics have proved this trend. Sales | | | | are expanding into the their space. But small |
| related to pets even grew slightly in 2009 and they | | | | businesses can also thrive in this industry, especially |
| were among the very few categories which | | | | those that are using online space to get noticed. |
| benefited from such a trend. | | | | Rescue organizations are already using social media |
| People who spend money for their pets are still | | | | networking to raise funds for their campaigns |
| looking for value in the money they are spending on | | | | centered on welfare of animals and use of Twitter, |
| their pets, which does not mean that they spend | | | | Facebook or LinkedIn has already proven to be |
| less. As the population ages, pet owners tend to | | | | successful. |
| spend money on their pets which replace their | | | | Larger players also expand their pet services, |
| children at home. Most of the money spent is still | | | | PetSmart is one such example. New pet hotels and |
| directed towards necessities such as food, bedding | | | | grooming services opened by PetSmart are |
| or leashes. But newer and more sophisticated | | | | flourishing. |
| services are emerging to cater to a growing | | | | Products and services offered for pets can benefit |
| population of both humans and animals. | | | | from the growing popularity of review sites and |
| Evidence that pet services continue to grow come | | | | instantaneous feedback on Twitter. Pet health and |
| from one example such as Wal-Mart which is | | | | pet adoption is growing its online presence and even |
| expanding its pet grooming facilities into its stores. | | | | sites that have focused in the past just on human |
| Pets are more and more included in their owners' | | | | health are now offering advice about pets. |
| lifestyle, so visits to a spa or exercise programs | | | | Newer websites are more sophisticated and |
| where pets accompany their owners are more and | | | | ecommerce sites are growing in numbers and clients |
| more frequent. This trend is especially obvious in | | | | using them. Pet-related blogs also become more and |
| urban areas, where the number of day care | | | | more frequent and they have already proven to be |
| accommodation is growing. | | | | useful by offering quality commentaries an all aspects |
| There is also a growing interest in pet health care, | | | | related to animals. The pet food recalls have been |
| and pet lovers are looking for treatment options that | | | | largely due to the growing influence of such blogs. |
| are more similar to those that exist for themselves. | | | | Even taxes are evolving towards taking animals into |
| Veterinarians who are able to supply such services | | | | account. Besides vet care, pet care expenses might |
| are in higher demand. Pet insurance is also expected | | | | be deductible in the future, or at least some of them. |
| to grow, as a consequence although statistics say | | | | Pet health insurance might soon become an optional |
| that it is still not very common practice. In U.S. there | | | | pre-tax benefit. |
| are 10 pet insurance companies selling under 14 | | | | |