Human relationships created through play with pets

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This is Mars Pet Nutrition North America's fifth annual report, examining how pets can connect us to our communities and people we might never meet without them. This study is based on participants in the United States and Canada.

“Our latest Pets Connect Us report makes it abundantly clear that the power of pets to connect people is stronger than ever,” said Mars Pet Nutrition North America Corporate Lisa Campbell, senior vice president of affairs, said in a release. “With new consumer insights into the increasingly important role pets play in our lives and the latest data on pet homelessness across North America, we are making the world a better place for pets. We are ready to further strengthen our purpose of creating.”¹

Important discoveries about how pets can help you meet new people include:^{1, 2}

• 89% of adults say pets are one of the easiest conversation starters.
• 88% of pet parents are more likely to “swipe right” on a dating app if their pet is featured in the profile picture.
• 85% of pet parents say their pets make them feel closer to their neighbors.
• 83% of adults say their pet causes them to interact with people they wouldn't otherwise interact with.
• 73% of pet parents connect with people from different generations, cultures, and racial/ethnic backgrounds through a mutual love of their pets.
• 70% of pet parents say owning a pet increases their investment in the community.

Key insights from the “Pets Connect Us” report by Mars Inc.

Additional key findings for including pets in our community include:^{1, 2}

• 90% of pet parents agree that pets contribute to a stronger sense of community.
• 88% of pet parents want more pet-friendly places to connect with other pet lovers.
• 84% of dog-friendly employers see an improvement in culture and retention.

Pets have an amazing ability to bring people together and can create shared experiences between people who might otherwise seem very different from us. Sharing the responsibility of caring for your pet also promotes cooperation and teamwork between family members and roommates, strengthening bonds through a shared commitment to your pet's health. Because of these overwhelmingly positive results, Mars is encouraging the expansion of pet-friendly places in our communities to enable more connections. You can break the cycle of loneliness by allowing pets to be with their owners, including pet-friendly restaurants, retail stores, cafes/bars, workplaces, and hotels. Mars is helping cities become pet-friendly through the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS program.¹

The State of Pet Homelessness Project, in collaboration with animal welfare experts, found that 1 in 5 dogs and cats in the United States and Canada, or 20%, are living outdoors as strays or waiting to be adopted in shelters. It is estimated that Adopting a pet can provide a very rewarding experience and allow you to help animals in need.

References

1. The report found that 73% of pet parents form a bond with their pets despite their differences. news release. Mars Inc. February 27, 2024. Accessed February 28, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/report-finds-that-73-of-pet-parents-have-made-connections-despite-The Difference of Different Pets-302071924.html
2. Pets Connect Us: Mars Pet Nutrition North America 2023 Report. Mars Pet Nutrition North America and a better city for pets. Accessed February 28, 2024. https://www.bettercitiesforpets.com/resource/2023-report/