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| 2012 US Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook |
The 2012/2013 Urban Animal Report published in February will provide additional details and evidence related to the companion animal industry. However, a discussion is already developing around the implications of this trend on those supporting pet owners and providing services in urban municipalities.
For instance, what are the implications for licensing agencies, humane and rescue organizations who already have challenges and a business model that has tied funding to the numbers of pets being serviced? What about service providers who provide pharmaceuticals, insurance and nutrition? If the number of pets being serviced continues to decline, what kind of enterprise re-factoring will be required?
It is interesting to note, the same study sited by Felsted, shows that dog visits to veterinarians have increased. Can the industry assume it has entered a period when smaller numbers of pets are owned by more responsible pet families who spend more and frequently integrate pets into their daily lives? If so, what kind of implications do these trends have on the connection between leisure/recreational activities of the owners and the pets they enjoy?
The International Summit in 2013 is directed to understanding the value pet families place on pets in their lives, their homes, their communities and by extension their culture. A new picture of the desires and barriers associated with pet ownership is likely to materialize at Summit 2013 discussions. The importance of gathering information which can benchmark industry trends during the Regional Conferences in April has become very important for this discussion.
These questions are fundamental to the future of the companion animal industry. Organizers for Summit 2013 have increased the number of available seats slightly and have provided specific invitations to delegates outside the industry who can bring insight to this discussion.
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