Post-Lockdown Series: Changing pet care for the future
Posted 21st Aug 2021
Post-Lockdown Series: Changing pet care for the future
Over the last 5 months, we’ve been investigating topics surrounding pets after the pandemic. From training to dangers to the unfortunate consequences of animals ending up in shelters after freedom day.
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Here are some of the topics we’ve already covered:
Post Lockdown: What you need to consider for your pet’s welfare
Post-Lockdown Series: How to make your pet comfortable when you leave
Post Lockdown: Reducing Overwhelm
This month we’re going to talk about the positive consequences that can be made from this new way of living and the huge amount of pets bought in lockdown. With old and new pet owners alike knowing how important pets become as members of the family, more and more money is spent on them each year. With more pets in the UK, more funds are going into the pet industry and here’s how organisations can make a difference.
‘A total of 3.2 million households in the UK have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic’
The industry has experienced food shortages because of the influx of new buyers at such a rapid rate. Although many animals have unfortunately been sent to shelters after owners determined they would be unable to look after them when restrictions eased, the majority of households can’t imagine life without their pet from now. This means that there is still an increased amount of animals in UK homes and they have to buy pet food (and are quite likely to purchase things to spoil their companion too!)
‘The dash for pet paraphernalia pushed the company’s (Pets at home) sales up 8% to £1.1bn, a record in its 30-year history.’
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What we’re considering here is what can be done with these new funds. If companies are earning enough profit and then have this extra income now aswell, they might want to expand, invest and work on their larger initiatives much sooner than originally estimated. But, what if this money was placed into initiatives that help the subject of their sales - animals. Specifically animals in need. For those less fortunate, who have not found their forever home or have been put into shelters because of the pandemic, with companies running into the many millions and billions in revenue, a small percentage being considered could make a huge difference.
Does this make a difference to you and how you shop? Would you change your shopping habits if it could make a difference?
Safety is paramount. Products must still be the quality they are and this shouldn’t be considered something to compromise on. But with this increase in annual income and being aware that this will remain consistent for future years, would it be complicated to work on a goal of helping animals who don’t have forever homes?
Of course, we are biased. But, the future of pet care could change. We could all be purchasing in a way that means animals less fortunate have a much better chance in life.