Pets are big business nowadays. American pet owners are spending more on their pets today, lavishing them with costumes, frozen treats, toys and a myriad of other products. In fact, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) estimates that Americans’ spending on pets will be about $14.5 billion in 2005 for food alone.
Even home-based businesses are cashing in on the trend. Operating their business from their basement, Mark & Lorraine Moore of FlightQuarters.com earn millions in sales from their bird diaper (yes, bird diapers!) business. Another entrepreneur I recently featured at WomenHomeBusiness.com is Becky Marshall, who is seeking to cash in on the growing gourmet frozen treat market for pets with her Chilly-Dawg products. I have also recently chatted with Gayle Martz of SherpaPet.net, a former airline stewardess who decided to create pet carrier totes suitable for air travel.
If you are looking to jump in the growing pet business bandwagon, check out APPMA’s top 6 pet industry trends for 2006 . It might just be the opportunity you are looking for!