News & Events
Holiday Gifts for Pets
November 28, 2008
Pets Are People Too!
Several months ago I wrote an article about buying gifts for pets for the Shopping and Products Review section of an online publication. In my research I discovered some amazing facts. In a 2007-2008 survey conducted by the Humane Society, there were 74.8 million owned dogs and 88.3 million owned cats. The statistics showed that 39% of households in the US owned one dog and 34% owned one cat.
The survey further stated that in 2008 it is estimated that we will spend in excess of $43 billion (that is with a B) on our pets, up from $41 billion in 2007 and $17 billion in 1994. Of course most of that money will be spent on food and vet care but a lot will be spent on treats and gifts. We love our pets. We take them every where. There are hotels and resorts that allow pets and there are hotels and resorts that cater to pets. If you must travel without your pet, you have the option of boarding them or having a pet sitting service like our good friends at Pampered Pet Sitting tend to them in your home. Although most restaurants and other food establishments, like coffee shops, do not allow pets for health reasons, there are some that have designated areas that serve pets and their companions.
Long gone are the days when Fido and Spot lived their lives roaming the neighborhood, eating table scraps and sleeping outside at night. Today, our pets are as pampered as we are. Some Dog Grooming Services make house calls, Dog Walking Services, are not just for city dwellers any more. I often meet professional dog walkers while walking my own dogs in the woods near our home in the country. This is a great service for people who want their pets to be healthy and active but don't have the time to walk them themselves.
The best place to buy pet products in our area is Dave's Soda and Pet City. Locally owned and operated, the stores are clean, fully stocked and operated by friendly and knowledgeable people. When is the last time someone offered to take your purchases out to your car for you! Pets are welcome to browse along with their companions. As neat and well organized as Dave's is, I wouldn't describe it as a "Shoppe" or "Boutique".
Specialty shoppes and boutiques for pets have been popping up all over the place. I love wandering around among the displays of pet accessories and clothing. Many of the items, like collars, leashes, food dishes, beds, blankets, and clothing can be personalized. You can find some pretty unique gift items like collar charms. These charms attach to the pet's collar. Some charms are printed with identification information. The more chic ones are decorated with semi-precious or even precious stones. The pet accessories I found to be excessive were dog the bracelets (worn on the front paw) and dog ankle bracelets (worn on the back paw). Some of these bracelets were also bejeweled. And don't forget the diamond studded collars and full diamond necklaces for dogs and cats.
For those of you who prefer more traditional gifts for your pets, take a look at some of the gifts we offer at Laurel Mountain Basket Company like our Yappy Holidays Gift Basket or our Cat Napping Catnip Pillows or a package of locally made dog treats, or Kitty treats, also by Terra Americana. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we have gifts for every one and every occasion, and that includes the canine and feline members of your household.
Happy Holidays from everyone at Laurel Mountain Basket Company and a special wish from Fox and Dana that Santa Paws gives every dog and cat living in a shelter a loving home this Holiday Season!
