Barking Mad? The Rise and Rise of the Global Pet Economy

A Flux Trends Salon with Dion Chang

09h00 to 11h00
Thursday 13th August 2026
Workshop17, The Bank, Rosebank, Johannesburg

On opposite sides of the planet – in the USA and in Japan  – a remarkable demographic shift is taking place. In both countries, there are now more households with pets than households with children under the age of 15. China’s pet food market is fast approaching the size of the baby milk formula market, while in the US 72% of pet parents say that pet logistics have become an integral part of their travel planning.

One in three pet owners now admit that they spend more on their pet than on their own health needs. What’s going on?

Pets – aka fur babies – have evolved from being service animals (dogs as security guards and cats as rodent deterrents) to being a pet parent’s preferred company and have moved from living out in the yard to bagging the best spot on the bed. Undercurrents like the global child-free movement are manifesting in the transfer of spending on fur babies. It has already fuelled a US$11.9 billion luxury pet market that includes gourmet meals, spa-style vet care, private jet airlines catering for jet-set pet parents and even gadgets and robotics in the tech industry.

The global pet economy is booming and South Africa is following this same trajectory. We rank 4th among the most pet-friendly countries in the world and the local pet care economy is already worth R8 billion.

New opportunities abound for retailers, service providers and entrepreneurs, and the range of products and services already emerging will suprise you.

This trend salon will provide insights into:

• The science behind the “fur baby” phenomenon and the pet parent obsession.
• How the global child-free movement (electing not to have children vs being “child-less” and being unable to conceive) has boosted the pet economy.
• How Gen Z in particular is contributing to the global pet economy by being the largest group of first-time pet parents.
• The high-tech pet: how technology is intersecting with the global pet economy.
• The products and services, specifically in the luxury sector, tapping into the indulgent streak of pet parents with deep pockets.
• DINKWADs – double income, no kids, with a dog.
  

Who needs to attend this salon?

• Companies within the pet industry who need to see what they are missing out on.
• Retailers who want to diversify and expand their product or service offerings.
• Retailers tracking demographic shifts and disposable income that’s now going to pets.
• HR practitioners who need to see how new pet legislation affects company policies.
• Entrepreneurs who want to leverage a pet economy that is growing exponentially.
• Anyone who sees their pet as part of the family.

Contact connected@fluxtrends.co.za for more information or click here to book.