Summary
In the past decade, pets have come to be considered less like animals and more like humans. This "humanization" of pets is a significant development, says Doug Poindexter, executive director of the World Wide Pet Industry Association. "Pets have become more a part of the family, more like children."
That has translated into a plethora of products that pamper, cosset, cater to and take better care of our animal family members. The pet-care industry has now reached the $38 billion mark in this country. For the majority of us, "pets are part of our everyday lives," said Poindexter in a telephone interview from Arcadia, Calif.See the full content of this document
Extract
One of the Family
Dogs and cats account for the largest numbers, but the industry also includes horses, fish, reptiles and other pet animals.
WWPIA, a nonprofit arm of the pet industry, works to promote responsible pet ownership, said Poindexter. Though popular, having a pet is never something that should be undertaken li...See the full content of this document
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