By Pet Age Staff//February 27, 2024//
By: Pet Age Staff//February 27, 2024//
Press release: Mars Inc.
Mars recently announced that it has launched its “Pets Connect Us” Report, which leverages new consumer insights to shed light on the future of pet parenthood in the U.S. and Canada. At a time when 24 percent of people ages 15 and older report feeling very or fairly lonely, pets not only offer companionship, but also bring us together. Mars’ report explores the positive impact of pets on people and communities, and the unique bonds formed through our mutual affection for our pets. Despite the multitude of benefits to pet parenthood, new global data from the State of Pet Homelessness Project, an initiative by Mars and leading welfare animal welfare experts, estimates that 20 percent of dogs and cats in the U.S. and Canada are living outdoors as strays or waiting in shelters to be adopted.
“Our latest ‘Pets Connect Us’ report shows a very clear picture: the power of pets in bringing people together is stronger than ever,” said Lisa Campbell, senior vice president of corporate affairs, Mars Pet Nutrition North America. “With new consumer insights on the increasingly important role pets play in our lives, along with the latest data on the state of pet homelessness across North America, we are better prepared to build on our Purpose of creating a Better World For Pets.”
The “Pets Connect Us” Report’s key findings, based on a survey of pet parents in the U.S. and Canada1 and a survey of the general population in both countries2 include:
Pets Combat Loneliness:
Pets Enable Connection:
Pets Build Community:
The power of pets to connect us and build community is undeniable, and yet, there are still nearly 50 million homeless pets in US and Canada. That’s why Mars takes seriously its responsibility to care for 450 million pets and pet parents around the world. A global leader in pet care – spanning comprehensive veterinary care, nutrition, breakthrough programs in diagnostics, wearable health monitoring, DNA testing and pet parent platforms – Mars’ brands are leading on issues that matter to pet parents, like creating more pet-friendly offices through the CESAR brand’s Workplace Grants and hosting the largest-ever Pet Adoption Weekend. Through its BETTER CITIES FOR PETS program, Mars is helping cities be pet-friendly so more people can enjoy the benefits of a life and community with pets. While positive strides have been made, there is still work to be done.
Mars and its family of brands will continue to introduce research and programs designed to further its purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Visit BetterCitiesforPets.com to get involved.
1 KRC Research conducted online surveys of 1,000 pet parents each from the U.S. and Canada from October 30 – November 6, 2023.
2 KRC Research conducted online surveys of 1,000 adults each from the U.S. and Canada. The study was fielded from December 15 – 17, 2023, in the U.S. and December 15 – 21, 2023, in Canada.