I’ve recently been involved in a project related to feral pets and shelter adoptions. That experience has heightened and renewed my focus on the subject. Hill’s just reported a “State of Pet Shelter Adoption Report.” The news is mixed.
On the positive side, our intentions look favorable. Two-thirds polled expressed interest in adopting a shelter pet. Small dogs are the most attractive, followed by medium dogs, cats, and large dogs. Gen Zs and Millennials expressed above-average intentions.
On the negative side, nearly half say the cost of ownership is a challenge to ownership. 84% say the cost of veterinary care is the most expensive part. When coupled with a recent Brakke report, the picture is concerning. We’ve reported that the number of pet visits in clinics is flat to slightly declining. Other major reports confirm our findings. Veterinarians are using price to drive up revenues. (So are suppliers.)
While we do not expect these trends to clash to calamity, here’s another red flag. However, it’s clear that pet owners, veterinarians, suppliers, and entrepreneurs are addressing these issues. A hallmark of our industry is the ability to adjust and innovate.
Jeff Santosuosso
English (United States) 
Portuguese