The pet industry has been consistently growing year on year and according to results recorded by the National Office of Statistics in 2008 over £4.3 billion was spend on pet related products in the UK. Almost half of that amount was spent on pet food and the rest was pet accessories, veterinary treatment and grooming services offered by pet franchises. Since 1957 pet spending has gone from 57th place to 37th place in 2007 with regards to a UK household weekly expenditure list, putting it ahead of makeup and holidays. As pet popularity is on the rise so are pet franchises and these businesses help to cope with consumer demand for pet products. Pets have been and always will be very popular in the UK. A survey taken by the Pet Food and Manufacturers’ Association shows that 43% of the population of the UK owns a pet with cats and dogs taking first and second place. It is estimated that there are 7 million dogs and 7 million cats in the UK, with fish and birds still remaining as the more popular pets. In 2008 the number of rabbits, rodents and guinea pigs rose to 1.7 million. The amount of animals kept as pets in the UK warrant the potential of many more pet franchising opportunities to arise are there are so many sectors within the pet industry.

The pet food market is booming and was valued at £1.7 billion in 2007. There has been an increase in people worried about the quality of pet food and this has left several gaps in the market for high quality pet food franchises. Pet franchises that offer different services are really taking off with pet owners seeking new ways to pamper their pets. Some great ideas for pet franchising include holiday care, pet food and accessories and grooming.