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Pets Evolve into 'Vital Family Members' as Industry Booms
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Pets Evolve into 'Vital Family Members' as Industry Booms

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Pet owners increasingly view dogs and cats as vital family members, driving demand for high-quality pet services and products.
  • The global pet industry is booming, with luxury fashion brands entering the market and projections estimating hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue by 2030.
  • Specialized services like professional training, grooming, and even pet psychologists are becoming more common as owners prioritize their pets' emotional and physical well-being.

The relationship between humans and their pets has undergone a dramatic transformation, with an increasing number of people viewing dogs and cats not just as companions, but as integral members of the family. This shift is fueling a surge in demand for premium pet services and products, reflecting a society more conscious of animal welfare.

This trend, growing since the late 1990s, has now reached new heights. International fashion powerhouses like Ralph Lauren, Prada, Fendi, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton have launched high-end pet clothing lines. The economic impact is substantial, with Bloomberg Intelligence projecting the global pet industry to reach $500 billion by 2030. The market for pet apparel alone is expected to hit $7 billion by 2032, according to The Guardian.

Beyond fashion, pet owners are investing in a wide array of specialized services. These include designer pet beds, gourmet food options like sushi-flavored or vegan meals, and even pet psychologists. Companies like Cooper offer marketplaces connecting owners with professionals for services ranging from daily boarding and transportation in equipped vehicles to professional grooming and specialized diets.

More and more people see their dogs not just as companion animals, but as vital members of the family, with emotional and physical needs that deserve quality attention.

— Thiago PonceThiago Ponce, CEO of Cooper, explaining the evolving perception of pets.

Thiago Ponce, CEO of Cooper, notes, "More and more people see their dogs not just as companion animals, but as vital members of the family, with emotional and physical needs that deserve quality attention." He believes this reflects a society prioritizing pet quality of life.

Maximiliano Molignani, founder of Club del Can, emphasizes the importance of professional guidance, stating, "Out of excess love, we don't always know how to guide the animal." His service incorporates professional training during walks, providing owners with reports on their pet's progress. This holistic approach extends to specialized rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and even care for senior pets, highlighting a growing commitment to comprehensive pet well-being.

Out of excess love, we don't always know how to guide the animal. The idea is that they are guided like a child. If a dog barks at a neighbor, I have to correct it. That's how we add training service at the moment the dog is with us. We do a report that allows us to create an animal's bulletin with its improvements.

— Maximiliano MolignaniMaximiliano Molignani, founder of Club del Can, discussing the professionalization of dog training and care.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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