Tell us: how many pets do you have at home? Is it a cat, dog, bird, fish, wild or exotic? If it's one or more, you're already part of the world's largest pet industry. The pet market has grown exponentially in recent years and has established itself as one of the world's leading economies. There are 1.6 billion pets on the planet, 141.6 million of them in Brazil, the second largest market behind the United States. The figures almost reach one animal per inhabitant in Brazil.

But what is the reason for all this growth, especially in our country? The changing profile of families, which has had a direct impact on the relationship between humans and pets. Couples are seeking out the company of a pet more, even reducing the number of children and even opting not to have one. Pets have become members of the family and are increasingly living indoors, especially in apartments, due to the verticalization of urban centers. With the pandemic, the search for a pet has grown by more than 30%, according to data from the Pet Brasil Institute.

According to the Brazilian Pet Products Industry Association (Abinpet), Brazil has more than 55 million dogs, 40 million birds, 30 million cats, 20 million ornamental fish and 3 million other animals - from small mammals such as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs to reptiles and amphibians.

MARKET

Of course, all this growth has had an impact on the market for products and services in the sector. Pet owners have increased their care for their pet's health and invested more in food, visits to the vet, daycare centers and professionals in the field.

The category is made up of industries and members of the distribution chain in the food (Pet Food), veterinary medicines (Pet Vet), health and hygiene care (Pet Care) and services (Pet Services) segments. Today, the pet market already accounts for 0.36% of Brazil's GDP (6.4% global share), ahead of the housewares and industrial automation sectors. In 2020 alone, the pet products industry earned R$40.8 billion - especially small and medium-sized pet shops (with up to 19 employees), which account for half of all turnover.

In this growing scenario, the boom in pet stores is keeping pace with the rise in the number of animals. In Brazil, there is a pet shop for every 3,500 inhabitants - 40,000 establishments. In Santa Catarina, there is one pet store for every 3,200 people (2,500 stores and 8 million inhabitants). In the municipality of Pinhalzinho/SC, where we are located, there is a pet shop for every 2,000 residents (10 establishments for 20,000 inhabitants).

In order to keep up with this development, entrepreneurs need to be aware that the market requires accessible, quality services of a high standard that comply with current legislation. They also need to launch products for the new market niches at the right speed - in other words, invest in innovation and technologies to automate services.

If you're an entrepreneur in the pet market or want to work in one of these areas, check out the options below.

Pet care

It covers the provision of animal welfare services and associated products: bathing and grooming, the sale of beauty and hygiene products and accessories (stylish collars, clothes, hats, paw-protective socks, etc.).

Pet shops

They sell food and products - clothes, accessories, feeders, cribs, toys, transport boxes, health pellets, medicines, beauty and cleaning products - as well as services such as bathing and grooming, vaccinations and full veterinary care.

Pet services: trainer and dog walker

Guardians who don't have time to walk their pets find dog walkers a solution to this problem. Those who have difficulty with their pets' behavior, on the other hand, can hire pet trainers. With the growth in the number of pet-friendly places (shopping centers, restaurants, cafés, hotels, inns, bakeries and gyms have adopted this policy), having an animal that knows how to get along well with other people and pets is essential for frequenting these spaces.

Pet sitters and hotels

Having someone to leave their pet with during a trip is one of the recurring concerns among pet owners. To meet this demand, the pet sitter segment is growing, in which a person experienced in dealing with animals acts as a kind of "nanny". So-called "pet hotels" also offer adequate facilities and 24-hour care.

Animal health

It's neither simple nor cheap to open a clinic or practice for the care of animals. Today, establishments for dogs and cats predominate in the market, but there is room for specialists in wild and exotic animals and for offering differentiated services, such as pet health plans. They make services such as annual vaccinations, routine consultations, treatments with specialists (oncologists, dermatologists and ophthalmologists for animals, for example) and elective surgeries (such as castration) more accessible.

Pet food

The natural pet food niche is also on the rise - it's an alternative to industrialized pet food, more in line with the animals' nutritional needs.

Now that you know all about the fast-growing sector in Brazil and around the world, how about creating a plan and investing in one of the segments, using technology and innovation? We can help you with that. Our ZettaPet Pet Shop Management System simplifies your business routine and brings you many advantages.

All stages of management are automated, from customer service, vaccine control, bathing and grooming, stock control, medical records to administrative indicators such as invoicing and planning! You optimize your work and increase productivity and profits.

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