Dr Jeff Cornwall

Americans have taken pet ownership to new heights in the past few years. And where there is money and there is a need, there is opportunity.
Entrepreneur.com highlights some of the businesses that are taking advantage of the current trend of Americans to spoil their pets. The pet products are now the seventh largest segment of retailing.

Just look at the numbers spurring this continuous growth. Pet spending has more than doubled in the past 11 years–from $17 billion in 1994 to a projected $35.9 billion by the end of this year, according to statistics from the APPMA. Fueling this trend are empty nesters lavishing attention and money on their pets, young adults who are having children later and currently put their time and energy into their animals, and a pet industry that has become more sophisticated at consumer marketing….

Just as a couple of examples, you can see local stories written about this trend in the Coloradoan, the Philadelphian Inquirer, and the Charlotte Business Journal.
I wrote a few months back about our search for a new kennel for our dog, Keb. I was amazed at how many options would have cost us more per night than we typically spend on a hotel when we travel!

This little guy is cute, but he is not worth over $100 a day for a private room with a raised bed and television, and special chilled doggie treats at bed time.