To Make a Better World, Start with (Pet) Data
This week, Mars Petcare North America launched “Keeping People and Pets Together,” our third annual report. It’s an amazing feeling to look back at the year and see the impact our business has made in helping pets and pet parents.
But what’s especially notable about this report is that it digs into the data behind those actions and our purpose. The report shares insights from the first-ever State of Pet Homelessness Index from the global Mars Petcare team, as well as a nationwide consumer survey and an in-depth U.S. shelter questionnaire.
This means a wealth of data about how people view pets heading into 2022 and our first real look at the scale of pet homelessness across the globe and its root causes.
The State of Pet Homelessness Index alone reflects quantitative research from more than 200 global and local sources and input from leading animal welfare experts and organizations. Our additional shelter research in the U.S. added the perspective of nearly 300 shelter and rescue organizations.
This means a wealth of data about how people view pets heading into 2022 and our first real look at the scale of pet homelessness across the globe and its root causes.
We can do so much good with this data.
In the consumer products industry, we tend to think of data supporting sales, consumer insights and product development. But here at Mars Petcare where our purpose is A Better World For Pets, this wealth of data means so much more.
It means a chance to help understand and work to solve issues that pet parents care about — like whether they can bring their cat with them on vacation, whether a lack of pet-friendly housing puts their dog at risk, or what’s going to happen to their pets when they return to work after nearly two years together at home.
Our “Keeping People and Pets Together” report helps shed light on these pet parent concerns and actions we’re taking to help address them, like our partnership with Hilton for pet-friendly travel and the ambition of our CESAR® brand to make every workplace dog friendly.
Plus, 48 million reasons to end pet homelessness.
Then there’s the State of Pet Homelessness Index. Even with 23 million households adding a pet during the pandemic, pet homelessness remains a devastating problem in the U.S. When you look at the number of stray cats and dogs as well as those in shelters, there are 48 million homeless pets in the United States today.
Importantly, the Index provides insights for understanding root causes for pet homelessness. One interesting fact is that while seven in 10 Americans are aware of a shelter in their community, a third say they wouldn’t even consider pet adoption. Yet many people find the perfect best friend at a shelter.
Insights like these provided by the Index help uncover opportunities. They also reinforce that we’re on the right track with work that Mars Petcare, the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program and PEDIGREE Foundation have already been doing to support shelters and raise awareness of pet adoption.
The insights in the State of Pet Homelessness Index and our “Keeping People and Pets Together” report are a call to action for our purpose: A Better World For Pets.
But there’s much more to do.
As businesspeople, we all recognize the value of data to inspire innovation.
As people who love pets, the insights in the State of Pet Homelessness Index and our “Keeping People and Pets Together” report are a call to action for our purpose: A Better World For Pets.
I’m excited about how this data will drive our innovation in the months and years ahead as we all work together to end pet homelessness and create a world where all pets are wanted, cared for and welcome. I hope you’ll join us.
Check out the reports and see how you can get involved:
