Americans now own fewer pets than in 2006, according to a new study by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Source
Oh, pets still are very popular. 56 percent of all U.S. households owned a pet at the end of last year. But that’s down 2 percent from the end of 2006. Pet ownership has fallen across all categories: cats, dogs, birds, horses, specialty pets and exotic pets.
Cost is no doubt a factor in these recessionary times. Cats and dogs cost more than $1,000 to take care of during the first year, and more than $500 per year after that, according to the ASPCA.
At the same time, the U.S. birth rate is projected to plunge to a 25-year low this year. So it seems many Americans have not only given up on the idea of having kids, some have also given up on having pets.
The kitties thank you!
