The pet industry's total effect on the American economy amounted to $221 bn in 2015, generating nearly $23 bn in taxes for the federal, state and local governments. This is the result of a study by Dr Terry Clower, professor of public policy at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government and director of its Center on Regional Analysis.
The study shows additionally that the pet industry provided or supported 1.3 mio jobs in the USA, with an industry-wide average wage of more than $46 500. Perhaps the most telling statistic is that consumers spent $77 bn on pets and pet food, toys, grooming, veterinary care and other pet purchases. That's $8.8 mio per hour, $147,000 per minute and more than $2,400 per second.
The study was conducted by looking at animal sales, pet food, veterinary services, animal pharmaceuticals, pet health insurance, grooming and other services such as boarding and pet sitting, and pet products like toys and fish tanks.
