December 1, 2004

More than half of pet owners report that they are spending more on their pets than they were three years ago, according to the 2004 Pet Owner Survey released by the American Animal Hospital Association today.

When taking into consideration everything from veterinary care to toys, 53 percent of the 1,238 survey respondents said they were spending more money on their animals, and 22 percent said they were spending about the same as they did three years ago. Five percent reported spending less, and the remaining 20 percent either did not know or did not own their pet three years ago.

In addition, more pet owners report they are traveling with their pets. This year, 67 percent of respondents reported traveling with their pet compared to 62 percent in 2003, which was down from 66 percent in 2002.

Of the 67 percent that traveled with their pet, 43 percent said they stayed in a hotel or motel while on the road with their animal. When leaving their pets at home, 61 percent said they leave the animal with family or friends, and 24 percent hire a pet sitter.

Twenty percent said they boarded their animal at a veterinary hospital, and 12 percent boarded them at a kennel facility. (Multiple responses to the question were accepted from respondents.)