–83 percent of pet owners consider their pet a member of the family.
Consequently, sales of products reminiscent of those people use, including pet memorials, are on the rise–
Oconomowoc, WI (January 17, 2014)–Peternity.com, the online leader in artisan crafted pet memorial products since 2003, announced 2014 trends for the pet industry. Peternity sells high quality pet memorials crafted by artists nationwide, including pet grave markers, pet urns, pet keepsake jewelry, stained glass pet memorials, custom pet memorial paintings and drawings, and pet memorial sculptures.
According to pet industry experts and MarketResearch.com, the pet industry continues to experience growth, as outlined in its Packaged Facts' report entitled U.S. Pet Market Outlook, 2013-2014. In addition, the February/March 2013 Pet Owner Survey found 67 percent of pet owners agree with shelter adoption over other forms of pet acquisition.
Pet industry sales are projected to total approximately $64.92 billion in 2014. Pet category sales are expected to steadily grow in 2014 and by 2017 increase to $75.09 billion. Following is a breakdown:
Veterinarian sales alone should increase about 5% in 2014 reaching $22.93 billion
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Pet food sales are projected to increase 4.5% from 2013 to $21.99 billion.
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Pet supplies should see a 4.5% increase from 2013, to $12.47 billion.
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Non-medical pet services- up 6% from 2013 - will hit $7.53 billion in sales.
In fact, another MarketResearch report shows the trend continues for pets to be humanized, or considered as family members, which is also fueling the burgeoning pet memorial industry. This concept continues to drive high-end pet product sales.
Peternity (www.peternity.com) Founder Colleen Mihelich said, “We have been seeing an increase in custom pet portraits and art as well as in pet memorial jewelry. Our customer testimonials reveal the fact that families are grieving for their pets and celebrating their lives with family members. It is becoming increasingly socially acceptable and the seeming ‘norm’ for couples and families to express their grief for their animals in ways similar to how we grieve for our human family members.”
According to another Packaged Facts survey, 83 percent of pet owners consider their pet a member of the family, therefore sales of non-traditional pet products that are reminiscent of products people use, are on the rise. Products include human grade pet foods and supplements, luxury boarding facilities, games, and other pet wellness products. Research also states that the more affection pet owners feel for a pet, the higher their levels of spending, even in remembering them after they pass.
Finally, the research also reveals that during 2013 the number of small dog owners grew to 49 percent. Medium and larger dog ownership decreased by one and two percent due to the fact that many elderly pet owners require smaller more manageable pets.
