According to the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey, there are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs and 86.4 million pet cats in the United States. Additionally, there are over 60,000 veterinarians and 27,000 veterinary clinics/practices in the U.S.
Over the five years to 2028, the pet population is forecast to grow at an annualized rate of 0.9%. Life expectancies of cats and dogs routinely exceed a decade in length, which implies that many of the households that previously wanted to own a pet are now currently in possession of at least one. Additionally, cat ownership has grown faster than dog ownership due to the lower maintenance necessary to own a cat. As home ownership is expected to grow sluggishly, cat adoptions may increasingly be seen as a more affordable alternative to dog adoptions. Cats also have a longer life expectancy than dogs, resulting in fewer adoptions among families that seek out new pets every decade. Despite a greater concentration of pet ownership, the continued growth of the population and an increase of the median age is expected to drive up pet ownership moving forward. (IBISWorld May 2023)
As animal lovers ourselves, we want to utilize our skills to keep these pets happy and healthy, even indirectly. If you’re considering selling your practice, let us take the pressure off your shoulders by listing and promoting your practice on this portal. We’ll do the hard work for you so you can focus on your patients and do what you do best.
