Report Finds 73 Percent of Pet Parents Communicate Despite Differences Due to Their Pets

Global pet care leader Mars releases “Pets Connect Us” report that showcases new research on the power of pet ownership to connect people and communities

BOLTON, ON, Feb. 27, 2024 /CNW/ – Today, Mars launched its “Pets Connect Us” Report, which uses new consumer insights to shed light on the future of pet parenting in the US and Canada. At a time when 24 percent of people age 15 and older report feeling very or somewhat lonely¹, pets not only offer companionship, but also bring us together. The Mars report explores the positive impact pets have on people and communities, and the unique relationships formed through our mutual love for our pets. Despite the many benefits of pet parenthood, new global data from the State of Pet Homelessness Project, an initiative of Mars and leading animal welfare experts, estimates that 20 percent of dogs and cats in the US and Canada are living outside as strays or waiting in shelters to be adopted.

“Our latest ‘Pets Connect Us’ report paints a very clear picture: the power of pets to bring people together is stronger than ever,” said Lisa Campbell, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Mars Pet Nutrition North America. “With new consumer insights into the increasingly important role pets play in our lives, along with the latest data on the state of pet homelessness across North Americawe are more than ready to build on our Goal of creating a Better World For Pets.”

The main findings of the “Pets Connect Us” Report, based on a survey of pet parents in the US and Canada² and a survey of the general population in both countries³include:

Pets Fight Loneliness:

• Eighty-three percent of adults have interacted or interacted with people they could not connect with because of their pet.

• Seventy-three percent of pet parents have bonded with someone from another generation, culture or racial/ethnic background through mutual love of their pets.

• About 80 percent of pet parents meet neighbors through their pets.

• More than seven in 10 have made unexpected friendships as a result.

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Pets Enable Connection:

• About nine in 10 adults say pets serve as conversation starters or ice breakers.

• Eighty-seven percent of pet parents find it easier to connect with other people if they have a pet.

• Seventy-nine percent of adults say pet parents are kinder and 76 percent say they are more trustworthy.

• Eighty-eight percent of pet parents are more likely to “swipe right” on a dating app if a pet is featured in the profile picture.

• Nearly six in 10 employed pet parents frequently talk about their pets with co-workers.

Pet Build Communities:

• Nine out of 10 pet parents agree that pets contribute to a stronger sense of community.

• Eighty-three percent of pet parents enjoy active community support for their pets, including offers from neighbors to help with feeding or walking.

• Eighty-eight percent of pet parents want more community spaces that facilitate connections between pet lovers.

The power of pets to connect us and build community is undeniable, yet there are still nearly 50 million homeless pets in the US and Canada. That’s why Mars takes its responsibility to care for the 450 million pets and pet parents around the world seriously. A global leader in pet care – spanning comprehensive veterinary care, nutrition, breakthrough diagnostics programs, wearable health monitoring, DNA testing and a pet parent platform – Mars brands lead on issues that matter to pet parents, like making more pet-friendly offices through CESAR^® The brand’s Workplace Grants and hosts the largest Pet Adoption Weekend. Through its BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program, Mars helps cities become pet-friendly so more people can enjoy the benefits of a life and community with pets. Although positive steps have been taken, there is still work to be done.

Mars and its family of brands will continue to introduce research and programs designed to advance its mission: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. Visit BetterCitiesForPets.com/2023report to read the “Pets Connect Us” Report and visit BetterCitiesforPets.com to get involved.

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a global family-owned business, Mars evolves, transforms, and evolves to make a positive impact on the world. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality snack, food, and pet care products and services, we employ 140,000+ dedicated Associates. With more than $47 billion with annual sales, we produce some of the world’s most beloved brands including Ben’s Original^™CESAR^®Cocoavia^®dove^®MORE^®KIND^®M&M’S^®SNICKERS^®PEDIGREE^®ROYAL CANIN^®and WHISKS^®. We’re creating A Better World for Pets through our global network of pet hospitals and diagnostic services – including AniCura, BANFIELD^™BLUEPEARL^™Linnaeus and VCA^™ – using cutting-edge technology to develop breakthrough programs in genetic health screening and DNA testing.

SOURCE Mars Petcare

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