From Grooming to Boarding: Pet Services Industry Sees Growth in Triad

Here in the Triad, and across the country, we love our pets. And we're willing to spend a lot of money on them – especially when we leave town on vacation. How much money?

Dog lover and reporter Matt Evans tackles that question in his cover story this week for the Triad Business Journal. He looks at how much money Americans spend on their pets annually, an estimated $58 billion this year alone on services like pet grooming and boarding.

In the Triad, the number of competitors for these services has grown by more than 50 percent “In 2010 there were 32 licensed boarding facilities in the Guilford and Forsyth Counties combined and  last year that number was up to 47 in the two counties. Dogs are the main customers for almost every kennel but you will find plenty of other space for cats, and even other types of pets from fish to hamsters,” says Evans.

The Business Report on 88.5 WFDD is a partnership with the Triad Business Journal.

To read Matt's stories and more breaking business news from the region, go to the Triad Business Journal online at triad.bizjournals.com.

Justin Catanoso is director of the Journalism program at Wake Forest University and a regular contributor to 88.5 WFDD.