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| Gone to the dogs; local news | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 24 2006, 03:38 AM (47 Views) | |
| Deleted User | Jul 24 2006, 03:38 AM Post #1 |
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Gone to the dogs Animal owners spend billions on supplies and frills By Sarah Bradshaw Poughkeepsie Journal This year, an estimated $38.4 billion will be spent on pets in the United States, according to The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. That is money spent on necessities such as food, vet care and boarding, as well as money spent on pampering items such as treats, toys, clothes and specialty services. Pet spending has increased about $7.4 billion in the last 10 years, according to the association's national pet owners survey. The survey also found the majority of Americans own dogs. One reason for increased spending is shopping for pet products has become much easier. Products are sold not only at traditional pet shops but also specialty niche boutiques, chain stores and online. Another reason is the variety of products for sale — from high-end items that have become must-haves to high-tech items such as computerized ID tags. "As a pet owner, we think in human terms. To make us feel better we want to reward our pets in terms that are meaningful to other humans," association President Bob Vetere said. That is why a person would buy a $2,195 goat hair Gucci dog bed vs. a $1 tennis ball, he said. Pet owners are guilty of indulging their dogs in Dutchess and Ulster counties, where 33,444 dogs are registered, according to the most recent data from the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. The most popular locations with registered dogs include East Fishkill, the Town of Poughkeepsie and LaGrange. Take Nina Nastasi, for example. The Pawling resident owns five dogs — a French bulldog, an English bulldog, an Australian shepherd, a bull mastiff and a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. "Animal Kingdom in Brewster gets all my money," she said. Nastasi spends money on dog food and dog treats mostly, but she also splurges. For example, she has monogramed LL Bean waterhog pet placemats for each dog. They start at $16.50 each. Her dogs have their own fleece-lined parkas and each gets a Christmas stocking. Ellen Difalco, of Kingston, shops at Lucas Avenue Pet Supply in Kingston for her six dogs, including five poodles and one bichon frise. She spends about $80 every three weeks on organic dog food alone. "I treat them better than some people treat their children," she said. There are an array of mid-Hudson Valley businesses that cater to this market, from the traditional family-run pet store like the Pet Set on Main Street in the City of Poughkeepsie to a pet sitting business called Cat's Meow, based in New Windsor. Richard and Christine Straley have owned the Pet Set for 17 years, although it has been in business for 25 years. He said some people go overboard with their spending, others don't. "The ones that go crazy are the dog and cat owners," Richard Straley said. Arthur and Cynthia Mullon started Cat's Meow three years ago, after they had a bad experience boarding their cat. They go into a customer's home and give animals one-on-one attention. Arthur Mullon said it's less stressful for both the animal and the pet owner. The cost of services range, depending on the animal (they take care of all types), the location (they serve Ulster, Dutchess and Orange counties) and the length of stay (they have done overnighters). |
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| Deleted User | Jul 24 2006, 03:39 AM Post #2 |
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Heather Caraballo, of Wappinger, started an upscale online dog boutique called the the Pink Hotdog 2 1/2 years ago. She sells specialty items for small breeds, including pink rhinestone sunglasses, crystal dog necklaces, puppy nail polish, a dog bath robe and an exclusive line of Marilyn Monroe dresses. The most expensive dress, custom made from silk and pearls, runs about $379. Her business inspiration was Daisy Mae, her Chihuahua and Casey, her maltese. She said she's been dressing them up before she even knew who heiress Paris Hilton was. Hilton, who starred in "The Simple Life," is well known for dressing up her chihuahua Tinkerbell. Posted Image http://poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.d.../607230326/1003 |
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8:06 AM Jul 12