U.S.

Why Is The American Pet Industry Growing?

More than 23 million Americans adopted a pet during the pandemic. But that's not the only reason.

Why Is The American Pet Industry Growing?
Mary Altaffer / AP
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Americans are spending more on pets than ever before.  

The American Pet Products Assocation projected Americans would spend almost 110 billion dollars on their pets in 2021. 

That’s up nearly $20 billion since 2018. 

The pandemic has been a driver. Stuck at home and isolated, Americans turned to pets for company.  

More than 23 million Americans adopted a pet during the pandemic, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

But COVID alone doesn’t explain why animals — that once all lived their lives outside — now occupy space inside our homes — and maybe more importantly, our hearts.