Dog Grooming Laws

The Wall Street Journal reported last week on the changing nature of the pet services industry. High demand and more competition for dog grooming has increased deaths and injuries in a lightly-regulated environment, so animal welfare groups and lawmakers are pushing for changes ("Deadly Incidents Prompt Concern About Pet Salons," by Sara Schaefer Muñoz, The Wall Street Journal, Aug. 2, 2006). Laws being considered in New York and Pennsylvania would require training and licensing for groomers.

Pets are considered property by the legislative system for the most part. Even though animal welfare laws continue to evolve, mirroring the humanization trend, as a piece of property, a dog is not much different than an appliance when it comes to damage and loss. According to the Wall Street Journal, many attorneys refuse to take on cases involving pets, and those who do, and win, often get just above the market value of the pet.

Marketing Pet Services?
New research from Dillon Media shows demographic info by age, income and more, for consumer spending on pet services in the U.S. Includes a current pet industry overview.