In the last decade, different studies agreed that Argentina is, worldwide, the country with the highest number of pets per inhabitant. Of every 10 Argentine families, 8 have at least one animal in their homes. The favorites? The list is headed by dogs, with 81% presence, followed by cats with 52% and with much lower percentages by turtles (with 7% despite the fact that their possession is illegal), birds (5%). , fish (4%) and finally hamsters, those eternal wheel runners, with barely 2%. At a regional level, the other countries present lower numbers in terms of animal passion: 71% of Chileans have pets, in Mexico just over half of the population does so (57%), Brazil appears with 44% and in Colombia, with just 35%.
Three out of 10 Argentine families adopted one or more animals during the quarantine. Taking a walk with their pet (in the case of dogs), was for many the only outing they took to the street for days or even weeks, especially in the hardest part of the ASPO, when the police kept watch on the streets so that no one break the isolation.
The large animal presence then caught the attention of many, who saw the possibility of starting a business from that. In fact, it is quite common to walk through any city in the country and come across a veterinary hospital or dog walkers. The pet economy has grown so much that there are even more startups that have them as protagonists.
Pet shops
Less than 20 years ago, a store selling clothing, accessories, toys and even vehicles dedicated entirely to pets was almost unimaginable. But today, and especially based on the enormous offer they imply, their popularity has increased significantly. They offer everything from bunks or beds to toys, balanced food or scratching posts for cats, all the way to the well-known and funny covered or dressed ones, mostly for dogs.
From hooded coats to waterproof vests, the presence of animal clothing is a reality on Argentine streets, especially on winter days. A separate chapter deserves designer clothing for greyhounds, who due to their peculiar characteristics require custom tailoring, with very fun results. In fact, it is enough to scroll through some Tik Tok accounts dedicated to this breed to appreciate how cute they can look dressed in capes, hats and even Sherlock Holmes costumes that cost, of course, a fortune.
Coffee and poodles
Many coffee shops, knowing that many of their customers are not going to leave their pets tied on the sidewalk while they enjoy their frappuccinos, have had the idea of expanding the audience, and now it is not only human but also animal. For this, they set up comfortable rooms with water for dogs, outdoor gardens for them to also enjoy and – even more recently – “cat-friendly” cafes, where the kittens walk between the tables and can be petted without drama. The idea is more than clear: enjoy a coffee and feel at home.
Pet setting
Globalization has made it easier for people to travel, whether for work or pleasure, throughout the planet. These trips usually involve being away from home for a long time, and pets need someone to take care of them. From there the pet setting or home caregivers have emerged. They regularly visit the animals (it is not a daycare), play with them, feed them, give them their medications if necessary, walk them and even bathe them. And, of course, they take many photos and make many videos to send to distant “fathers” and “mothers.”
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