The Recession Isn't Dogging the Pet Biz

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I recall a recent NPR Fresh Air interview with Michael Schaffer, author of One Nation Under Dog. Schaffer explained how the US pet industry has been little affected by the poor economy. Owners are equally loyal to their pets as pets are to their owners. When faced with the scenario of either having to give up a pet or to make deep personal budgetary sacrifices, American pet owners lean heavily toward the latter. Michael Schaffer pointed out how most pet owners relinquish their pets only as a last resort.

In fact, owners, during this recession, are altering their own dietary habits and choosing store brand items over national brand items in order to continue providing their pets with premium pet food.

Read about how one man is surviving the recession with a dirty, yet lucrative dog waste management business.

I recall a recent NPR Fresh Air interview with Michael Schaffer, author of One Nation Under Dog. Schaffer explained how the US pet industry has been little affected by the poor economy. Owners are equally loyal to their pets as pets are to their owners. When faced with the scenario of either having to give up a pet or to make deep personal budgetary sacrifices, American pet owners lean heavily toward the latter. Michael Schaffer pointed out how most pet owners relinquish their pets only as a last resort.

In fact, owners, during this recession, are altering their own dietary habits and choosing store brand items over national brand items in order to continue providing their pets with premium pet food.

Read about how one man is surviving the recession with a dirty, yet lucrative dog waste management business.

I also have 3 kids and one of the most valuable lessons they have learned is to be responsible for another living being. They have learned kindness, caring, and responsibility. They have to help with feeding, cleaning and daily care. They get exercise while out walking their dogs, instead of sitting at a computer screen all day. They have learned what unconditional love means. When they are sad, the dog comes over and kisses their tears away. My one daughter who had lost all of her friends to a bully group of girls at school could come home knowing she had her "best buddy" to lean on. Can you put a price tag on that?

In the end, when we lost our chocolate lab to cancer last year, my kids received another invaluable life lesson......how to love and to lose, and realize that life goes on, but the one you loved will always have a place in your heart.

I often wonder about people who don't have any pets. If they've never had one, then how can they judge what us pet lovers feel? It's like those who've never had children........they just don't "get it" until they do.

So, why you're puzzled by us pet owners spending money on caring for our pets is because you don't have the pleasure of owning one. It's the same reason you are spending money on caring for your kids.....you love them.

And, one day when your kids look at you with those big eyes, and say, "Daddy, how come we don't have a dog?" Maybe you'd have a good explanation for it, but I couln't think of a single reason other than selfishness.

The desire for animal companionship goes deep. The physical effects that some people show, including lowered blood pressure, show something innate in the desire to be with something other. I remember a woman crippled by arthritis who lived in a terrible apartment. The one thing that kept her going was her precious guinea pig kept secretly in a cage under her bed. She had saved up her disability money to buy it, and its food and bedding was expensive, but there was nothing so dear to her as her cavy.

I created an account just to reply to this article. Other pet owners like myself have already said much of what I feel, but this article does feel almost ignorant or hurtful. My family loves our cat who we rescued from a shelter a few years ago and we treat him as if he was a part of the family. Now that such good veterinary services and healthy foods are available on the market, and as science continues to explore the emotions of animals, I think it makes sense that people are spending more on their pets.

I am sure that had you thought this out a bit more you might not have come to the same conclusion. But, just in case you don't think so, let me tell you my story - since I am one of the people being employed by these decadent people you mention.

I was laid off in Jan 2008. Despite numerous interviews and coaching on interviewing and resume enhancements, I was unable to find a job between Jan and August 2008. After much soul searching, I decided to do something I loved doing... watching other's people's pets. You might see it as "decadent" that people would pay me to walk their dog or care for their pet while they are out of town (sometimes on business), but I look at it this way:

1. I am helping someone (who is probably working longer hours because of the economy) to keep their pet, thus preventing our already overwhelmed pet shelters from having one more dog or cat to care for.
2. I am now employed (for myself) thus not collecting unemployment from the gov't (which I would be doing if I were still looking for a job)
3. I am now looking to hire an employee (because my decadent business is growing) thus employing someone who may have just lost their job and could use the work.
4. I am paying taxes which goes to the gov't so they can pay for healthcare or some other important item on the budget

So, you see, it's all in your perspective. From mine, I'm actually helping the economy and so are my clients - and this is because the pet business is booming (despite the economy).

This is going to sound like sour grapes (or would that be "taste"), but I really have to comment. I don't understand how it's decadent that I provide the best food and care for my cats. Should I instead use the money to pay for someone else's healthcare or provide some benefit that someone else is lacking? Am I not already doing that by participating in this part of the economy, which provides jobs even if they seem senseless to someone who doesn't have a pet? Should these people leave those frivolous jobs, which they no doubt love to do as do most people who work with animals, and go to work at Wal-Mart instead, or perhaps open a day care? And apparently, by my login name, I am a part of this business as well as an artist, photographer, illustrator and writer of cats and other domestic pets and wildlife, along with other elements of my freelance art and design. And, incidentally, my niece and her husband, in their mid-30s, have three children 18 months apart, the oldest now 11, two cats, a dog, a snake, two birds, a fishtank and perhaps some other things by now. They wanted their children to grow up with animals and have always had animal companions for their children from the first baby, and the animals now are part of the kids' daily responsibilities. I have the feeling you're going to get more comments like this.

My husband and I have chosen to have pets instead of children, and we support our local economy by purchasing supplies for them. If I don't have a dog, is that going to help someone without healthcare get healthcare? How is our decision more decadent than yours for having children? Besides, there is more to owning a pet than just the poop. Obviously the viewpoint in the article seems highly flawed and comes from someone who has never had a pet.