FYI: Statistics On The Pet Industry

     88.3 million cats; 74.8 million dogs.

     US homes with pets: 63%

     Size of the pet industry: $41 billion per year

     Dog owners with health insurance: 3%

     Amount spent on  pet food: $16.1 billion per year

     Amount spent on pet care, grooming, boarding: $2.9 billion per year 

     Dogs going on vacation with owners: 39%

     Dog owners who consider dog's comfort when buying a car: 50%

     Dow owners who would take pet with them in event of a disaster:  70%

     Pet owners who bought gifts for their pets in the past year: Over 50%

     Average gift price: Over $10

     Average amount spent on toys and treats this year: $107

     Pet dogs and cats that are overweight: 40%

     Pet dogs with their own beds: 20%

     Dog owners who share a bed with their dogs: 42%

     Cat owners who share a bed with their cats: 63%

     People who buy their dog dental products: 30%

     Price of a pair of Neuticles, the patented testicular implants for dogs: About $919 (per Business Week)

     Number of doggie diaries in Dogster.com: 40,000

     Number of cat bloggers on Catster.com: 13,800

Pet Friendly Hotels

     http://www.pets-allowed-hotels.com/

     Nationwide dog hotels, pet lodging, hospital locator, insurance information.

American Pet Products Manufacturers Association

     http://www.appma.org

    To promote pet ownership and information pertaining to pets. Medical, heath, regulatory and legislative links. Trade shows.

VetInfo

http://www.vetinfo.com

Provides health care information for dog and cat owners.

American Veterinary Medical Association

     http://www.avma.org

     Association of 75,000 veterinarians to improve animal health and advance the science and art of neterinary medicine.

     Dog and cat health information. Encyclopedia of dog and cat medical problems. Indexes for dog and cat health and behavior.

American Animal Hospital Association

     http://www.aahanet.org/

      Promote high standards for small animal health and medicine.

Guide Dogs For The Blind

     http://www.guidedogs.com

     Headquartered in San Rafael, California, with an operation in Oregon, Guide Dogs recruits nationally for volunteers and employees. All training is conducted in San Rafael.

VPI Pet Insurance

     http://www.petinsurance.com

     888-899-4874

     Did you know? One in 10 employers offers pet insurance, according to insurer MetLife. The typical monthly cost is $15 for cats and $20 for dogs. Covered are veterinary services from vaccinations to cancer treatments.

Pet Car Collision Insurance

   http://www.progressive.com/pets

   New coverage option up to $500 if a dog or cat is hurt or dies as a result of an auto accident.

Click on title for direct link to site. 

• Morris Animal Foundation

Information about grant funding activities of the foundation for the care and medical advancement of companion animals and wildlife.

• National Academies of Sciences

     Official Website of government research organizations including National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of       Medicine and National Research Council.

• Pet Food Institute

     Information about the association as well as industry and consumer statistics.

• Pet News Service (Pets Forum)

     A newswire service on pet industry.

• Thomas US Congressional Website (Library of Congress)

     Official Website of the US Congress including links to House and Senate members, as well as bill tracking of current legislation.

• US Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine

     Official agency Website containing news about Center for Veterinary Medicine activities as well as regulatory guidance on pet food, supplement and related issues.

• Waltham

     Research arm of Mars Pet Care Companies including scientific information related to dog and cat nutrition.

• Watt Net

     Information about meat and pet food industries with links to Watt Publishing newsletters.