300 mio pets in Europe

The latest Fediaf data confirms a staggering 88 mio households (38 per cent) benefit from pet ownership. It further shows that the pet food industry has grown by 2.8 per cent and is now worth 21.8 bn euros. Pets are also being rewarded for their companionship throughout the pandemic with 21.2 bn euros spent on services and products, 1.5 bn euros more than in the previous year, equivalent to an increase of 7.6 per cent. Of this expenditure, 9.2 bn euros were spent on accessories and 12 mio euros on services.
Raquel Izquierdo de Santiago, Fediaf secretary general, explains: "2020 was an extremely challenging year. At a time when so many of us were concerned about our health and faced social restrictions, it is reassuring that 88 mio European households, approximately 202.4 mio people, benefited from the love and companionship of a pet."

In addition, research has proved that animal ownership has alleviated some of the detrimental psychological effects of lockdowns and social restrictions. Research undertaken during the pandemic has shown that 74 per cent of pet owners believe their pet has helped their mental health and 86.5 per cent agreed their animals had provided emotional support.