Axios Finish Line

June 26, 2024
Welcome back! Smart Brevityβ’ count: 361 words β¦ 1Β½ mins. Copy edited by Amy Stern.
1 big thing: Booming business of pets
As Americans grow increasingly attached to their pets, they're spending more and more money on them.
The big picture: Pet ownership as well as love for pets surged during the pandemic.
- About two-thirds of Americans own pets, and 97% of them say their pets feel like part of the family, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
- 51% of pet owners say their animals are as much a part of their families as human members.
All this is giving rise to a booming business of premium medical care, treats and vacations for pets.
π©Ί Zoom in: Vet prices have jumped 60% in the last decade, The New York Times reports.
- Modern vet clinics look like human hospitals, equipped with state-of-the-art MRI machines and ICUs, and staffed by oncology and cardiology specialists.
- Plus, vets are getting bougie with fancy interior decor, cold brew on tap and exclusive membership programs.
π‘ Homebuyers are getting "pet-fluenced" while house hunting, Axios' Sami Sparber writes.
- People are picking homes based on their proximity to parks and vets, and some are even designing bedrooms for their animals.
π² Pet nutrition has leveled up from kibble. Owners are opting for highly specialized β and pricey β fresh, human-grade food options from a slew of startups, Barron's reports.
- There are also dog bakeries and ice cream parlors specifically for pets.
ποΈ And some owners are trading in kennels for luxury dog hotels when they need to travel without their pets.
- These facilities are expensive, but they offer perks like bedtime tuck-ins, swimming pools, blueberry facials and queen-size beds for dogs, according to The New York Times.
π Magic of water

Check out this view of Wisconsin's Eagle Harbor, snapped by Rob Zwettler from Ephraim.
- We love featuring shots of your favorite bodies of water in Finish Line.
π On that note, Axios' Carly Mallenbaum is writing a story about the science behind water's calming effects for Finish Line. Send your photos of oceans, lakes and rivers that bring you peace β the bluer the better! β to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter!
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