Photo courtesy of Catnap

People’s minds are changing over how pets should be treated. Even just a decade ago the words “high-end collar” simply didn’t exist. But now, more than ever, pets are being treated as true members of the family. Explosive growth in the pet boutique market is evidence of that.

“It has changed,” said Andrea Fahringer, owner of Mugu’s Pet Boutique in St. Mary’s, Ga. “I’ve been in the pet industry for 20 plus years. I was a humane officer in California and I’ve seen the worst, where people didn’t take care of their animals. Now I’m running a business and seeing them take care of their animals. It’s just incredible the change that has happened through the years.”

Though still a novelty to some, says Fahringer, the idea of boutique merchandise for pets is catching on in a big way.

“I had a customer come in and she thought it was a baby store. She said, ‘People really do this with their pets?’ People are just starting to get used to the idea of this. It’s changing.”

Sales figures bolster Fahringer’s thoughts. Last year, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association predicted Americans would spend more than $40 billion on their pets – more than double what they spent just a decade ago. By the fourth quarter of 2007, consumers were on track to meet or exceed those figures with the final purchasing push headed into the holiday season.

According to Businessweek, that’s more than Americans spend on video games ($11.6 billion), movies ($10.8 billion) and music ($10.6 billion) – combined. Impressive statistics, considering the United States is the world’s reigning champion of electronic popular culture.

With spending expected to top more than $50 billion over the next two years. Attitudes regarding the family pet truly are changing. Among the items now likely to be purchased for the pampered pet: luxury dog houses, birthday party supplies, jewel encrusted collars and bowls, custom winter coats, the list goes on.

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