My husband is a cat lover. I am a dog lover. We talk about someday buying an exotic bird. Despite these differences, we’re both sickened by Michael Vick's recent dog fighting case, which is so tummy turning that I end up walking out of the room whenever the story hits the airwaves.
For the rest of today's blog, continue at The Boomer Blog
I can only imagine what boomers think. Boomers’ four-legged friends are no longer just furry, feel good creatures who entertain, amuse and eat the table scraps. They are considered by many to be members of the family. Pet moms stay up at night worrying about their pets’ health, spend millions buying them holiday gifts, and view their veterinarian as their family pediatrician. Simply put, their pets have become one of their children and they, like most parents, want their children to have the very best.
When once “Fido” felt lucky to get a left over hot dog for dinner, he can now beg his boomer mom to indulge his senses with gourmet pet meals, pet spas, pet camps, pet masseuses and pet travel—all to the tune of nearly $40 billion a year.
What’s more, boomers love traveling with their pets and some companies have shrewdly capitalized on this. The NYC-based Ritz Carlton Hotel (Central Park) for example, unabashedly rolls out the red carpet with “ultra chic” pet carriers, 22-Karat gold plated ID tags, and aromatherapy “spritz treatments” for the pet’s coat. W Hotels actually offers pet pillows with special treats placed on them at turndown time. Hmm...must be nice.
So, if you want to pull at the boomers’ heartstrings (and capture new dollars), find ways to spoil their dogs, their cats, or even a slightly misplaced tropical bird. Boomers are simply crazy for their pets…thankfully, not as crazy as Mr. Vick.
Amanda Sobanet
Comments (1)
This is great. You really did a good job thanks.
Posted by Tom | August 26, 2007 3:08 AM
Posted on August 26, 2007 03:08