k9mania
05-14-2009, 03:10 AM
COLUMBIA - Pet industry at least holding steady amid recession.
Across the nation, there are more than 71 million households with pets, ranging from dogs and cats to hampsters and reptiles. While those animals aren't exactly cheap to care for every year, pet owners don't seem to be cutting back.
Bailey and Peanut are just a few of the dogs who come to the Twin Lakes dog park almost everyday.
Playing at the dog park is free, but pet owners still spend money to pamper, entertain and care for their animals.
A survey by the Associated Press found that only one in seven pet owners cut back on spending for their pet at all, even if that means they will make cuts somewhere else.
"I definitely spend too much money on her, still," said park-goer Heather Oolman as she watched her dog run around the park. "I try not to go shopping very often, but I do what I can."
"It can get pretty expensive," admitted Chris Lutton, the owner of Bailey, "especially if [Bailey] gets sick and needs his medication and stuff like that, but he's worth it."
See rest of article:
http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/09192a7e-80ce-0971-0032-aea188c47410
Across the nation, there are more than 71 million households with pets, ranging from dogs and cats to hampsters and reptiles. While those animals aren't exactly cheap to care for every year, pet owners don't seem to be cutting back.
Bailey and Peanut are just a few of the dogs who come to the Twin Lakes dog park almost everyday.
Playing at the dog park is free, but pet owners still spend money to pamper, entertain and care for their animals.
A survey by the Associated Press found that only one in seven pet owners cut back on spending for their pet at all, even if that means they will make cuts somewhere else.
"I definitely spend too much money on her, still," said park-goer Heather Oolman as she watched her dog run around the park. "I try not to go shopping very often, but I do what I can."
"It can get pretty expensive," admitted Chris Lutton, the owner of Bailey, "especially if [Bailey] gets sick and needs his medication and stuff like that, but he's worth it."
See rest of article:
http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/09192a7e-80ce-0971-0032-aea188c47410