| Many retailers are reporting that despite gloomy | | | | left tied to the gates of shelters with a note "I cannot |
| economic statistics sales of pet products in general | | | | feed my kids anymore, please look after my dog?" |
| are holding up well. Perhaps the high-end items like | | | | Foreclosures spell disaster for thousands of pet dogs |
| designer collars or custom-made beds are being set | | | | as home owners cannot keep up mortgage |
| aside but even at this difficult time people still buy what | | | | repayments, this is the grim reality for thousands of |
| has become in their eyes items that are essential to | | | | animals as recession looms, and foreclosure hits |
| the well-being of their family and the pet dog or cat | | | | families right across America and Europe. Desperate |
| are very much a part of that family. The gourmet food | | | | times and desperate measures with everyone as a |
| that our pampered pooches have become used to | | | | casualty, especially mans best friend. |
| are kept on the shopping list, as owners are reluctant | | | | The majority of pet owners love their animals, and |
| to risk upsetting the digestive systems of their beloved | | | | would never do anything to harm them but |
| animals. It has been shown that Female shoppers are | | | | unfortunately, many people are faced with a terrible |
| more likely to buy cheaper brands of other products | | | | dilemma, they have lost their job and now they face |
| from medication to milk rather than switch to less | | | | losing their home, which means they may have few |
| expensive brands of pet food and pet-care products. | | | | alternatives, protect their family or protect their pets! |
| -- There are 74.8 million dogs in the United States and | | | | They may be forced to accept accommodation that |
| goodness knows how many cats. | | | | does not allow animals and if they refuse that |
| -- 56% of dog owners buy a gift for their dogs during | | | | accommodation, then their family could be at risk. Most |
| the holidays | | | | pet owners will move heaven and earth but they may |
| -- In the past decade, dog owners giving pets a gift | | | | have just run out of options. The animal rescue |
| has increased by 12% | | | | centers are full to brimming and this could end up with |
| -- The average amount spent per dog gift is $10. More | | | | them abandoning their dogs or cats to fend for |
| than $400 million will be spent on dog gifts in the | | | | themselves. |
| holiday season | | | | This economic crisis is forcing ordinary, decent people |
| Sources: 1. Media Metrix 2.0, comScore Inc. 2. APPMA | | | | to do things they would previously have never |
| National Pet Owners Survey 2007-2008 | | | | considered and this is truly heartbreaking. Not only |
| The American Pet Products Association estimates | | | | have they lost their job, their home but they are now |
| that Americans will spend $43.4 billion this year on their | | | | faced with losing everything so, perhaps some of the |
| pets - despite the dramatic slowdown in discretionary | | | | incompetent banks who caused this global economic |
| spending. | | | | crisis in the first place, should now help to fund |
| All well and good for those animals fortunate enough | | | | additional animal rescue centers so that they can |
| to grace the homes of these loving and | | | | house all these newly made homeless dogs and cats. |
| well-intentioned owners who would rather cut down on | | | | After all, they managed to get themselves a nice |
| their own spending needs than sacrifice the needs of | | | | rescue package from the government didn't they! |
| their animals. Bravo! | | | | They will still be getting their big fat pay checks every |
| But! We also hear from the dog rescue centers that | | | | month, courtesy of us all, the general public, won't |
| they are being overwhelmed with abandoned animals | | | | they? |
| and dogs, in particular who are being "forced out" or | | | | |