NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet owners in the US and Europe (UK, France and Germany) agree they are willing to give up personal luxuries for their pets, according to a grey healthcare group study. Eighty-nine percent of owners in the US and 91% in Europe would give up their vacation for a pet's surgery, if it meant helping their pet. Not surprisingly given this level of dedication, nearly one in three (30%) of owners in both the US and Europe, view pets as children, while 3 in 5 (60%) owners consider pets very important for their overall happiness. Despite similar attitudes in the US and Europe, pet owners in Europe are more likely than US owners to spend money on their pets health before their own.
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Where Pet Owners Turn for Information
At least two-thirds of pet owners in the US and Europe turn to their vet or vet assistant about their pet's health. The second most popular source is online with over half (59%) of all pet owners likely to go to websites for information. Interestingly, both vets and websites are the two most trusted information sources, while friends and family with pets ranks third at 33%.
"It is not surprising that the study results show pet owners turn to websites as the second most popular source for information, but this represents a tremendous opportunity for pet care companies, along with the veterinary health care community, to help shape an expert-guided dialogue," said Lynn O'Connor Vos, CEO, grey healthcare group. "Engaging owners online represents a significant opportunity to connect on their terms and become a more trusted source that understands their needs and wants."
Other Key Findings From the Survey
- More than half (54%) of US pet owners would buy a supplement for their pet over themselves.
- In both the US and Europe, approximately 50% of money spent on pets is used on regular visits to veterinarians and preventative measures.
- Pet owners in the UK spend the most on their pets--more than $1,200 per year, compared to $864 in Germany, $799 in France, and $864 in the US.
About the Survey
Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates conducted online interviews between September 16-22, 2010, with 1,355 pet owners (dog and/or cat owners) in the US, United Kingdom, France and Germany.
About grey healthcare group
ghg (grey healthcare group) is a global healthcare communications company, headquartered in New York, with offices in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and an animal health hub in Kansas City, Missouri. It is a member of the WPP Group, a global provider of advertising, branding, and marketing. It works with companies to build world-class healthcare and pharmaceutical brands among medical professionals and consumers, with a transmedia storytelling approach that covers print, digital and television broadcast media, medical education, sales force presentations and managed access strategies. For more information, visit www.ghgroup.com.
SOURCE grey healthcare group
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