Small Animals

Domestication of AnimalsDogs are believed to be the first

animals domesticated.The discovery of a dog’s jawbone

found in a cave in Iraq dates back 12,000 years.

This is the earliest

indication of a domesticated animal.

The Small Animal IndustryPet ownership is at an all-time high --

62% of all American families, about 71.4 million households, include at least one companion animal.

Cats outnumber dogs as the most common household pet.

There are more than 93.6 million cats in the U.S. compared with 77.5 million dogs.

The Small Animal IndustryDogs are found in 45.6 million

households and cats in 38.2 million.Most cat owners have an average of

2 cats.

The Small Animal IndustryAmerican households also contain:

15 million birds4.9 million rabbits15.9 million other small animals (like

hamsters, gerbils, etc.), 13.6 million reptiles, and182.9 million fish.

The Small Animal IndustryAltogether, an

estimated 10,500 to 11,000 retail pet stores nationwide produce some $21 billion in sales.

The Small Animal IndustryVeterinary expenditures in 2010 were:

$12.79 billionFood expenditures in 2010 were:

$18.28 billionSupplies & Medicine:

in 2010 were:$11.01 billion

The Small Animal IndustryThese figures represent increases in

veterinary expenses of:42.2% for dogs,96.8% for cats, and 141.9% for birds since 1991.

The Small Animal Industry1,267,828 animals used in

laboratory experiments.Of this total, there were

75,429 dogs,26,091 cats,56,381 primates,272,797 guinea pigs,217,079 hamsters, and309,322 rabbits.

The Small Animal IndustrySince the use of birds, laboratory rats,

and laboratory mice are excluded from the Animal Welfare Act, no accurate figure is available.

There are 1,243 research facilities.

The Small Animal IndustryAnimal care is a very large and

rapidly growing industry.Many people are needed to fill the

careers in this industry.

The Small Animal Industry Needs…Pet care workers Zoo administratorsLaboratory animal care workers

The Small Animal Industry Needs…

Small animal breedersAnimal trainersAnimal groomers

The Small Animal Industry Needs…VeterinariansVeterinary TechniciansBiologists