Fewer pets, yet higher sales

Defining the significance of the pet supplies business for the Australian economy is the aim of a study, now in its seventh edition, that was published by the Australian Companion Animal Council (ACAC) last year. Pets are in demand in Australia. The study shows that 36 per cent of all inhabitants have a dog and 23 per cent own a cat. These figures are higher than for the UK but lower than for the USA, where 40 per cent of the population own a dog and 33 per cent a cat. There are 16 dogs and 11 cats for every 100 people in Australia. Nonetheless, the number of dogs has declined increasingly in the last ten years and is now put at 3.41 mio. The cat population was likewise in decline up to 2007 before increasing again somewhat in 2009. There has also been a downward trend in population figures for fish, birds and other pets such as reptiles and small animals in Australia. The number of pets overall in Australia is estimated at over 33.3 mio, including 18 mio ornamental fish. In spite of the shrinking pet population, the ACAC points out that expenditure by pet owners increases year by year: “We are moving towards owning fewer pets, but spending more on them as a reflection of not only our changing lifestyles but also advances in veterinary medicine and increased choices in products and services,” says the Council, summarising this trend. The ACAC puts sales of pet products at A$6.02 bn for 2009. Products for dogs accounted for 59.7 per cent of this (A$3.597 bn.), while cat products accounted for 23.5 per cent of overall sales (A$1.415 bn). 13.3 per cent of sales (A$801 mio) derived from products for other pets and 3.5 per cent (A$208 mio) from pet care products (not including cat litter). Expenditure on dogs by owners between 2005 and 2009 accounted for 31 per cent of the total, on cats it came to 18.4 per cent and on other animals 18 per cent. Overall social significance The growing volume of sales by the Australian pet sector also has an impact on the number of people employed in this sector of the economy. Estimates indicate that 47 627 people are employed in the spheres of pet food manufacturing, pet care products, veterinary services und pet care services in Australia. The number of jobs is not the only factor, however, that counts when assessing the importance of the pet sector for the Australian economy as a whole. The export of processed cat and dog food makes a significant contribution to Australia’s international trade. In 2008/09, the total exports…