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Downturn in US Economy Affects Pet Food Industry

2008-08-29

US economic woes spark opening of petfood pantries across the country

There's been a barrage of bad news on the US economic front, with inflation growing at the fastest rate in 17 years, average weekly wages posting the the biggest year-over-year decline since November 1990, and the number of people receiving unemployment benefits at the highest level in almost five years. Not surprisingly, the downward slide is taking a toll on pets, with shelters from Massachusetts to California reporting a surge in animals given up by families no longer able to afford their care.

Animal shelters across the South are also feeling the effects of the struggling economy, with the SPCA in Wake County, North Carolina, USA, reporting what it calls a "dramatic increase" in surrendered animals over the past two months. In an effort to stem the tide of homeless pets, the organization announced that it's opening a petfood pantry that will provide a month's supply to people in need. "For many families, a month's supply of petfood can mean the difference between keeping their pet or having to leave their pet at an animal shelter," said spokesperson Mondy Lamb. "And for many pets, staying in their home and out of an animal shelter can mean the difference between life and death."

The Wake SPCA hopes that drawing in people with offers of free petfood will also boost use of the organization's spay/neuter clinic. Across the country, other animal advocacy groups are also taking action to help pet owners weather the economic crisis. The Humane Society of the United States has created a Foreclosure Pets Fund offering grants to local shelters, rescue groups and animal control agencies for programs that help cash-strapped families care for their pets.

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Pet Treats, Not to be Outdone, are Now Jumping on the 'Functional' Bandwagon

2008-08-06

We've been hearing about 'functional pet food' for a long time now.  It can do this, it can do that, help with this, etc etc.
However, there is now a newcomer in the function discussion: pet treats.  According to this blog on NowPublic, pet treats are moving forward not just in the taste and product appeal categories, but also in their ability to be 'functional' and help pets going through a variety of illnesses.

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