FRANKLIN, Tenn., Nov. 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/
-- Today, Mars Petcare released the second annual BETTER
CITIES FOR PETS Program Report, entitled "Pets in a Pandemic." The
report identifies how pet ownership has evolved with the pandemic
and shows that for the majority (86%), pets have been a top source
of companionship this year, with 58% of new pet owners citing
companionship as the main reason for getting a new pet. On the
other hand, the report reveals financial hardships have taken a
toll on pet owners, with nearly two-thirds reporting concern about
affording basic pet costs and 13% surrendering their pet this
year.
"The pandemic has affected all parts of our lives, including our
family dynamics, as millions have shifted to working from home and
new household routines, including our four-legged friends," said
Jam Stewart, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Mars Petcare.
"Through the Pets in a Pandemic report we took an in-depth
look at how the pandemic has impacted pet owners and their
relationships with their pets. The report uncovered a strong
current of positivity around pet ownership but also showed the
challenges that many pet owners have faced throughout 2020."
"Pets in a Pandemic" was developed using data from
several first-party surveys, as well as the WISDOM PANEL™ 2020 Pet
Census1. The report outlines the benefits and challenges
to pet owners in 2020, what type of support pet parents need from
their local government and how their attitudes about life with pets
has markedly changed for the foreseeable future. Key data points
within the "BETTER CITIES FOR PETS Program Report: Pets in a
Pandemic" include:
Benefits of Pets
Though this unprecedented year has
upended daily life, many people found pet ownership and increased
time with their pet to be a benefit.
- Among all pet owners, three quarters or more said that their
pets provide important benefits in the form of companionship (86%),
reduced stress or anxiety (78%), reduced boredom and monotony (75%)
and reduced depression (74%) during COVID-19.
- Thirty percent of pet owners welcomed a new pet this year, with
more than half doing so for companionship (58%).
- Half of the survey respondents reported spending more time with
pets as the primary benefit of working from home – even ahead of
increased flexibility (46%), cost savings from lack of commute
(47%) and more time with family (36%).
Financial Burdens
Many pet owners have faced financial
challenges throughout the pandemic, leading to difficult
decisions.
- Sixty-one percent of pet owners felt concern about their
financial ability to pay for their pets' expenses.
- Twenty percent of pet owners have considered giving up their
pets in 2020, and 13% actually did.
- Of pet parents who considered giving up a pet during the
pandemic, 31% said access to pet-friendly housing resources would
have been helpful, while 32% said short-term financial help and 30%
said more access to pet services or support would have been
helpful.
- City officials acknowledged their communities' difficulties in
recent months. One in three city officials have heard concerns from
residents about the financial challenges of pet care and the
potential need to re-home a pet.
- Sixty-four percent of city officials favor providing assistance
to pet owners due to the pandemic.
Work-from-Home Environment
As more people have grown
accustomed to working remotely alongside their pets, many are
fearful about the realities of returning to the workplace and
leaving their pets behind.
- Seventy-eight percent of working pet owners expressed
concern over their pets' anxiety and/or confusion when
they return to a normal work schedule.
- Similarly, 75% of working pet owners have expressed
concern about their personal anxiety if they have
to return to work without their pet.
- Two-thirds of working pet owners who are spending more time at
home today would like the ability to take their pets to work,
and another two thirds would be likely to do so if
allowed.
Leisure Activities
As we look to 2021 and beyond,
people are expressing a desire to bring their pets with them and
finding reprieve in having them present outside of the home.
- Fifty percent of pet owners would be comfortable bringing
pets to outdoor stores, events and patio seating at restaurants.
Similarly, 50% of dog owners said they'd be more
comfortable in these same spaces if they could bring
their pet.
- Nearly two in three pet owners say they're likely to travel
again in 2021, and about 60% of pet owners want to bring
their pets along when they travel.
These insights all point to a critical need for more individual
assistance and pet-friendly accommodations, as pets have become
even more integrated into peoples' lives. Looking ahead, pet owners
are hopeful to have their companions at their sides when it comes
to their daily routines, traveling, the workplace and visiting
community spaces.
Report Methodology:
The "BETTER CITIES FOR PETS
Program Report: Pets in a Pandemic" leveraged data and insights
from pet owners and city officials across the country. This year,
the report's results focused heavily on living with pets in a
pandemic, revealing the reliance and comfort we seek from pets
during difficult times and how our communities are adapting to
accommodate them.
To view the full "BETTER CITIES FOR PETS Program Report: Pets in
a Pandemic," please visit
www.BetterCitiesForPets.com/PetsInAPandemic and visit
BetterCitiesForPets.com for more information and resources about
building more pet-friendly communities.
About BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™
The BETTER CITIES FOR PETS Program was created by Mars Petcare US,
the world's leading pet nutrition and health care business, to help
communities become more pet-friendly by bringing the voice of pets
and their owners to places of influence and advocating for fewer
pets in shelters, more pet-friendly places, and happier, healthier
lives for both people and pets. Mars Petcare works with key
partners, businesses and local governments to better understand how
to improve communities by: providing safe and welcoming shelters
that lead to forever homes; encouraging pet-friendly, responsible
homes for pets; welcoming more pets into local businesses, and
giving pets plenty of park space to play. In 2019 the company
launched the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS Program certification which
recognizes and celebrates cities that are putting programs and
policies into place to make life better for people and pets. For
more information about the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS program and the
BETTER CITIES FOR PETS Program certification,
visit BetterCitiesForPets.com.
About Mars Petcare
Part of Mars, Incorporated, a family-owned business with more than
a century of history making diverse products and offering services
for people and the pets people love, the 85,000 Associates across
50+ countries in Mars Petcare are dedicated to one purpose: A
BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™. With 85 years of experience, our portfolio
of almost 50 brands serves the health and nutrition needs of the
world's pets – including
brands PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, ROYAL
CANIN®, NUTRO™, GREENIES™, SHEBA®, CESAR®, IAMS™
and EUKANUBA™ as well as the Waltham Petcare Science
Institute which has advanced research in the nutrition and
health of pets for over 50 years. Mars Petcare is also a leading
veterinary health provider through an international network of over
2,000 pet hospitals and diagnostic services including BANFIELD™,
BLUEPEARL™, VCA™, Linnaeus, AniCura and Antech. We're also active
in innovation and technology for pets, with WISDOM PANEL™
genetic health screening and DNA testing for dogs,
the WHISTLE™ GPS dog tracker, and LEAP VENTURE STUDIO
accelerator and COMPANION FUND programs that drive innovation
and disruption in the pet care industry. As a family business
and guided by our principles, we are privileged with the
flexibility to fight for what we believe in – and we choose to
fight for: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.
1 KRC Research conducted an online survey of
1,001 U.S. pet owners and 31 American city officials between
September 9-25, 2020. The report also
includes WISDOM PANEL™ 2020 Pet Census data, which surveyed more
than 13,000 U.S. pet owners from June through August 2020. See details for the above at
BetterCitiesForPets.com.
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SOURCE Mars Petcare