We, as a nation, adore our pets and will do anything for them, regardless of how much money that ends up costing us. Indeed, you need only look at how much the pet industry is worth ($62.75 billion, fact fans) to know that we'll buy almost anything if it means that our pets are leading happier, healthier, and more comfortable lifestyles. While the majority of our hard-earned cash goes towards our pets' food, medical expenses, general care, grooming, and accessories, a rising number of pet parents are choosing to invest in technology.
You see, there's something of a tech boom going on within the pet industry at the moment, with an increasing number of "petcentric" apps appearing on the market, all with the aim of increasing our pets' happiness and improving our abilities to cater to our four-legged friends' every whim. Do you want to find a dog walker or sitter, organize a puppy play date, or locate your nearest pet-friendly restaurants, parks, or recreational areas? There's now an app for any of those things – and more. As our love affair with our pets grow, so too does the number of apps on the market, and we love the sheer availability of pet-related services.
Leslie May, the founder of specialist pet marketing firm Pawsible Marketing, explained to the Boston Globe that it was only a matter of time before technology firms began to tackle the pet industry: "In the last couple of years the [pet] app world has exploded. It was a natural move for technology companies to look at the pet market as an opportunity. It's a growing industry; it's been growing steadily for years." With experts approximating that 65% of American households now have a pet, it's clear that there's a market for such technology.
As we strive to be better pet parents, to provide our cats and dogs with the very best, and to find the easiest ways to do both of these things, the tech industry's hold over the pet market looks set to flourish further.
Have you downloaded any pet-related apps? Are you guilty of spending more money on your pet's happiness than you do your own? Let us know in the comments section!
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