Life Behind Bars – Texas Monthly

Why Holiday Spending Is Going To The Dogs

With the holidays ramping up, consumers are seeking out products for everyone on their lists. And for many, those lists include furry family members as well.

In fact, 80% of consumers said they consider pets to be part of their families when it comes to celebrating and buying gifts for the season, according to a survey Petco conducted of 2,031 shoppers in September 2023. 

"Simply put, pets are important members of our families," Jenny Wolski, senior vice president of merchandising, supplies and owned brands product development at Petco, said in an email to Retail Dive. 

So what's driving the focus on pets this holiday season and how are retailers capitalizing on the trend?

Growing humanization of pets

While pets have been a part of families' lives for centuries, recently those animals are being viewed more as members of their households than ever before. 

"One driver of it is just broader trends, especially with millennials and Gen Z that are either deciding that they don't want to have children or delaying having children. A pet is a great substitute for that," Wade BJubrey, associate partner in the consumer practice of Kearney, said. "I have two dogs, I don't have any children, but you can start to build this very similar relationship."

Pets are an "expression of the human lifestyle," Wolski said, adding that a key trend stemming out of the humanization of pets is the urge to buy more premium and better-for-you products for your pets. Retailers are responding: Petco, for example, in 2018 announced it would no longer sell pet food and treats that contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives for cats and dogs.

The humanization trend has only accelerated in recent years. Consumers spent more time at home during the early days of the pandemic, which meant they saw their pets much more frequently. This was coupled with the fact that animal adoptions surged as consumers sought out companionship and sources of joy. The number of U.S. Households that owned a pet was projected to increase by 4% in 2020, according to Packaged Facts data. These factors led pet retailers to see a boost in sales during the onset of the pandemic even as consumers pulled back on spending in other areas.

"When I grew up having dogs, we would get a dog and the next day my parents would go to work and the dog would stay home for eight hours, and that was normal," Steven Cunix, an associate partner in the consumer practice of Kearney, told Retail Dive. "Now we don't leave our dog home alone for more than three or four hours because we got so used to it during COVID that they really became part of your family."

So when consumers start buying gifts for loved ones around the holidays, oftentimes that now includes pets as well.

"When holidays or special events come, you don't want to get gifts for your child and not for your pet."

Steven Cunix

Associate Partner at Kearney

More than 80% of pet owners said they were "very likely" to purchase a gift for their pet, while 54% said they would spend more time shopping for their pets than for some family members, according to a 2022 PetSmart survey conducted by Wakefield Research. And even as consumers were more selective about gifting last year, 34% of respondents said they would purchase a gift for their dog during the holidays, while 22% said they would buy gifts for their cat, according to a December 2022 Personal Capital survey conducted with Morning Consult. That's compared to just 19% of respondents who said they would buy a gift for their in-laws during the holidays.

As consumers view their pets as extensions of the family, they want to include them in more activities, whether that's buying gifts around the holidays or finding the perfect Halloween costume.

"We have a three-month-old daughter right now and we have a two and a half year-old dog. First thing my wife did when Halloween started coming was she's sending me all the different costumes that can match the dog with the baby," Cunix said. "The point is that the baby and the dog — she looks at them both as her children. When holidays or special events come, you don't want to get gifts for your child and not for your pet."

How retailers are capitalizing on the trend

With holiday spending projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels — Deloitte predicts sales between November and January could reach $1.56 billion, a 4.6% year-over-year increase — stocking holiday-related pet products could be a big opportunity for retailers.

And while e-commerce has grown in popularity in the pet space in recent years, especially for large items like bags of food that consumers can buy on a recurring basis to have delivered to their homes, there is still room for physical retail. Brick-and-mortar retailers stand to gain through the in-store events they offer, especially during the holiday season, according to Cunix.

To cater to pet owners — and drive visits to stores — Petco introduced its Merry Makings holiday collection, a one-stop shop that features more than 500 products, most of which are under $20, like Christmas and Hanukkah apparel, treats and toys. The retailer this year is also bringing back its photos with Santa event on Dec. 2.

"Pet parents see holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas as perfect opportunities to involve their pets," Petco's Wolski said. "In-store events such as photos with Santa at Petco help families celebrate and make memories with their pets."

Online pet retailer Chewy last year launched its "Letters to Chewy Claus" initiative, encouraging pets — and their owners — to get into the spirit by sending their wishlists to Chewy. The company said it would review the submissions, "determine who has been naughty or nice" and deliver gifts to thousands of pets. Chewy also touted its holiday collection, which included festive treats, toys, apparel and advent calendars.

"There's rarely a time I leave the grocery store without picking up something new for the dog."

Wade BJubrey

Associate Partner at Kearney

"As people see their pets in more of a human way, they see this opportunity to really celebrate and interact and enjoy their pets differently around holidays, birthdays," BJubrey said. "It really has gotten expansive where people want to purchase products for their pets."

While there is a level of uncertainty this holiday season as some consumers grapple with the resumption of student loan payments, the pet industry has historically been able to weather economic turmoil. 

"The pet category is one that's really uniquely positioned. You have this recurring base, this foundational growth, that's going to be consistent because you need food and treats and things like that. But you also have a really nicely positioned category for impulse buys," BJubrey said. "There's rarely a time I leave the grocery store without picking up something new for the dog. It's so expansive now. It's across all these different channels, places you don't even think of as a pet store, you'll find pet treats, toys, etc. You may be going out for something else — you may be going grocery shopping — but you end up picking something else up. So it is nicely positioned to kind of capture that customer engagement."

As competition heats up in the pet category with more mass retailers offering an assortment of products, the holidays should be a key area of focus, BJubrey said.

"I think the opportunity for the other retailers — the other channels — is in the experiential, the holiday season," BJubrey said. "That's really where they have the opportunity to capitalize."

Why This Pinellas Commissioner Believes Pet Stores Can Humanely Sell PuppiesColumn

Published Oct. 14

Last year, the Pinellas County Commission decided to allow retail pet stores to remain in our community. This decision, I believe, led to a unique partnership that ensures the health and safety of puppies in our community's pet stores — and transparency about how they were raised.

Kathleen Peters

Local families deserve options and accurate information to decide how and where to find a pet. Research from the American Pet Product Association shows that half of American families seek out a pet store or breeder to find their next pet. They decide to go this route because they have a specific idea of their perfect family pet — a certain breed or a specific life stage (like a puppy) — or because they want background information like the pet's genetic history or medical information.

Only breeders and pet stores can provide specific breeds, guarantee that a puppy will be available and provide assurances about a pet's genetic or medical history. Sunshine Puppies, which owns two of the county's six pet stores, is providing confidence to families who want to know that a puppy was humanely bred and raised with care.

It's placing a priority on working with breeders who have received Canine Care Certification, a voluntary set of care standards for breeders that are rooted in science and backed by research. Managed by Purdue University, the care standards address everything from housing and socialization to veterinary care and genetics for puppies.

Canine Care Certification also mandates that breeders have an adoption program in place for the puppies' parents. Currently, the science-based guidelines call for retiring the puppy's parents at 4 to 7 years old, depending on a number of factors.

It's not enough to promise that a pet was bred by a compassionate breeder. Sunshine Puppies is now partnering with SPCA Tampa Bay, a Largo-based animal welfare organization that had previously supported the pet store ban, for veterinary care. Acting as a watchdog for puppies in the stores, SPCA Tampa Bay's veterinarians are visiting Sunshine Puppies' two stores each week to keep an eye on puppies who are awaiting homes. They're examining puppies' physical condition, reviewing their health histories and completing the documentation that Florida law requires for puppies to be sold.

SPCA Tampa Bay is also testing a pilot program to rehome the puppy parents through its shelter. This collaboration between private businesses provides transparency about pets' origins and health and accountability to do the right thing for the animals. If successful, it could be a new approach to preserving residents' choice about their next pet while addressing concerns about how pets in stores are being raised.

Kathleen Peters is vice chairperson of the Pinellas County Commission.

🌱 Teen Car Chase Video + Plaza Pet Costumes + Hotel Staffer In Court

Hey, everybody! I'm back in your inbox today with all the most important things happening in Healdsburg. In this issue of the newsletter, you'll find updates on:

The latest light installation for Memorial Bridge

A Healdsburg teen who led cops on a dramatic car chase down the 101 (and there's video!)

A couple of festive parades in town last weekend

The death of a beloved local pharmacist

And much more...

First, your local weather:

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and windy, with a chance of rain. High: 67 Low: 38.

Thursday: Mostly sunny. High: 68 Low: 42.

Friday: Mostly sunny again. High: 67 Low: 38.

Air over Healdsburg:

This is what the air over Healdsburg looked like earlier today. How cute is that little fog veil on Fitch Mountain... (Photo courtesy of Holly Wilson)

Healdsburg in the news:

Wondering why Memorial Bridge across the Russian River in Healdsburg is lit up in white lights this week? City leaders say they chose the color as a "symbol of peace." Councilmember Chris Herrod elaborates on Facebook: "On Monday, the City Council voted to light up Memorial bridge in white in response to all residents, and worried people throughout the world, reeling from the painful tragedy of war. This is our beacon of hope that the sanity, and the basic birthright of Peace will prevail for the people of Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Myanmar, Sudan, Syria, Ethiopia -and anywhere where violence is raging. ☮️" The bridge will remain white until Nov. 3, at which point "the illumination will change to Red, White and Blue in honor of National Veterans Awareness Week," city officials say. (City of Healdsburg via Facebook & Chris Herrod via Facebook) (Photo via the City of Healdsburg)

A teen from Healdsburg with a paper license plate reading "Will Run" crashed his Mustang along the 101 while leading cops on a high-speed chase Saturday afternoon, according to multiple news reports — and there's video. California Highway Patrol officials say that 18-year-old Marcus Burton passed 100 mph before "slipping from the left lane into the center lane and sideswiping a Land Rover Discovery" with a family of three inside, including a young child, near the Mendocino Avenue exit. That exact moment can be seen in a dramatic video uploaded to YouTube by the Press Democrat. All three family members in the other car were "taken to the hospital complaining of pain," but luckily did not appear to suffer any serious injuries, the PD reports. Afterward, the teen driver was "treated for minor injuries and booked into Sonoma County jail on suspicion of felony evading arrest, felony evading arrest and causing injury, and felony child endangerment," CHP officials tell the paper — and his "passenger, a 17-year-old male, also was treated for minor injuries and released to his parents." More from the PD: "Saturday afternoon, a CHP officer responded to a tip from an off-duty police officer in Rohnert Park who spotted the Mustang. But as soon as the patrol car was seen, at 1:31 p.M., the Mustang fled north on Highway 101 from the Golf Course Drive onramp at speeds 'well over 100 mph,' [CHP Officer David deRutte] said. The Mustang reached the College Avenue exit in Santa Rosa at 1:34 p.M., DeRutte said. CHP officers following the Mustang — which deRutte said was 'using the whole highway' as it sped north — pulled back when the Sonoma County Sheriff's helicopter, Henry 1, joined the pursuit. Moments later came the crash." (YouTube & CBS News & Press Democrat; paywall)

We've got an update on the July 3 death in town of Abel Garza, a 41-year-old father of three from Santa Rosa who police say attacked a group of hotel staffers in the pool area at Hotel Healdsburg earlier that day. One of the staffers, 34-year-old Santa Rosa resident Romario Morga Cisneros, will is suspected of "involuntary manslaughter" — seeing as Garza was found dead in a parking lot off Matheson Street, near Williamson Wines, after the staffer allegedly fought back with his attacker's own weapon, a metal object resembling a landscaping or gardening stake. On Jan. 22, there will be a "preliminary hearing" on his case in Sonoma County court. Here's some more info from the PD: "During a preliminary hearing, a judge is presented with evidence and determines whether a defendant should stand trial. A readiness conference will be held Jan. 8 for attorneys to verify whether they're ready to proceed. ... Cisneros was arrested Aug. 8 and pleaded not guilty to the felony charge. He's out of custody after posting $30,000 bail in August." (Press Democrat; paywall)

There were a couple of awesome-looking parades in downtown Healdsburg over the weekend. The first, last Friday night, was something called the Healdsburg Electric Light Parade, a "family-friendly light-up bike ride" that started in the plaza at 7 p.M. And was followed by a "dance party in the gazebo" half an hour later. The Shop Local Healdsburg blog reports that the event was organized by local couple Gregg and Greta Schoenberg, who've done some cool LED art in the plaza in recent years. (I'd love to hear more about the scene Friday night or see some pics, if anyone attended! Reach out: simonewilson@gmail.Com.) The second parade, held in the plaza the next afternoon, was the annual "Howl-O-Ween" pet parade and costume contest, organized by the Healdsburg animal shelter and sponsored by Big John's. The winning costume — a couple's costume, of sorts! — belonged to two small dogs dressed up as Barbie and Ken, according to Healdsburg Mayor Ariel Kelley. "The pet costumes were off-the-chart amazing this year and Barbie and Ken stole the show!" the mayor wrote on Facebook. Scroll down for pics, or check out Shop Local's Instagram post for a bunch of great video footage from the event. (Healdsburg Tribune & Ariel Kelley via Facebook & Ariel Kelley via Facebook & Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram) The winners. (Image courtesy of Shop Local Healdsburg)Some other fun entries. (Images courtesy of Shop Local Healdsburg)

Recent death in town:

Renowned Healdsburg pharmacist Herbert Charles Steiner, better known as Herbie, has passed away at age 85. Herbie was endlessly devoted to both his customers and his family, his obituary says. He and his wife Wendy moved to Cloverdale in the '60s, where he worked at Medico Drug. Then, according to his obituary: "In 1968 Herb purchased his first pharmacy in Healdsburg, aptly named 'Herb's Prescription Center' and later founded the Bennett Valley Pharmacy and Cloverdale Pharmacy. Soon after, Herb moved his family to beautiful Healdsburg where they lived for 42 years. He loved Healdsburg and was an involved and vibrant community leader, serving on multiple boards and committees." A Catholic service will be held for Herbie on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 5, at St. John's Church, where he was a "loyal parishioner." (Legacy.Com)

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Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Sonoma County Government Hosts "Hire the Homeless" Lunch & Learn in Santa Rosa (11:30 a.M.-1 p.M.)

Scary Movie Screening for Teens in Grades 7-12 at the Healdsburg Library, Featuring Hot Cocoa or Apple Cider (1:30-3 p.M.)

AVFilm Hosts After-School "Future Filmmakers Program" for Healdsburg Junior High Students at the Community Center: Narrative Film Course (Weekly on Wednesdays, Oct. 25-Dec. 13, 1:45-3:45 p.M.)

The Studio Hosts 4-Week Self-Defense Class for Women (Weekly on Wednesdays, Oct. 25-Nov. 15, 5:30-6:30 p.M.)

Scary Movie Screening for Adults at the Healdsburg Library (5:30-7:30 p.M.)

Free Seminar at the Jacobs Center for Cosmetic Surgery on Foss Creek Circle: "Restoring Your Natural Hair" (6-7 p.M.)

Movie Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma: "Show Off Your Cinephile Status as You Compete for Prizes" (7 p.M.)

Male A Cappella Group Straight No Chaser Performs at the Luther Burbank Center on Their "Sleighin' It" Tour (8 p.M.)

Thursday, Oct. 26

The Elephant in the Room Pub Hosts All-Day 6th Anniversary Party, Featuring Food & Drink Specials & Live Music by the BossaFunkaNova Duo (1 p.M.)

"Locals Thursday" & Karaoke Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 4-9 p.M.)

Design Dialogue With "Connect" Theme at the CraftWork Healdsburg Co-Working Space: Featuring Discussion of "the Russian River Master Plan, North Healdsburg Avenue's 'Complete Streets' Plan & the Arrival of SMART" (5:30-7:30 p.M.)

Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Alexander Valley Vineyard Run (6 p.M.)

THE 222 Hosts 3rd Annual Members-Only Appreciation Dinner (6:30 p.M.)

Singer-Songwriter Jamie Drake Live at Little Saint (7-9 p.M.)

Trivia Night at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (Weekly, 7-9 p.M.)

Friday, Oct. 27

Healdsburg Library Hosts "Not-So-Spooky" Bilingual Family Storytime at Giorgi Park; Costumes Encouraged (10:30 a.M.)

"Friday Flicks" at the Healdsburg Library: Family-Friendly Movie Screening (Weekly, 3:30-5:30 p.M.)

AVFilm Hosts "E.T." Screening in Cloverdale (5 p.M.)

Wine-Blending Masterclass at Thumbprint Cellars: Make Your Own Bordeaux Blend (6:30-8:30 p.M.)

Healdsburg High School Football Team Plays Final Home Game Vs. St. Vincent at Rec Park (7 p.M.)

Raven Players Perform "Evil Dead: The Musical" at the Raven Theater (Oct. 27-28, 7:30 p.M.)

Mike Saliani Band Live at the Elephant in the Room (8 p.M.)

Classic Rock, Blues & R&B Band The Remedies Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11 p.M.)

That's all for now. See you right back here tomorrow!

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East — and most recently, as a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg, CA Patch newsletter? Contact me at simonewilson@gmail.Com

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