Pet Care Services NAICS 812910

Feb 20, 2026 - Changing Consumer Expectations in Cat Boarding

• As US pet care evolves, feline-exclusive boarding is emerging as a major growth opportunity, according to a report in Pet Boarding and Daycare. Cats make up nearly half of the nation’s pet population, with 1.8 cats per home on average, yet most facilities remain dog-centric. Operators like Happy Cat Hotel & Spa (19 units open and in development since launching franchising in 2020) and Cat’s Meow Resort (opened 2019, now with peak-season waitlists) demonstrate rising demand for cat-only environments featuring vertical space, soundproofing, enrichment, and individualized care. Post-COVID, more owners prefer professional boarding over in-home visits, and younger pet parents are willing to pay for transparent, enrichment-based services like 24/7 camera access and grooming. With consistent growth in cat ownership and increased spending on specialized services, reallocating space and investment toward feline-focused boarding represents both an animal welfare upgrade and a scalable, underserved revenue stream for the US pet care services industry.
• According to the latest ISM Services PMI Report, executives in the Other Services industry, which includes providers of pet care services, reported decreases in business activity, new orders, employment, inventories, and order backlogs while reporting increases in prices paid for materials and services in January. While five services industries reported contraction in January, 11 industries reported growth. Industries reporting growth during the period were Health Care & Social Assistance; Utilities; Construction; Retail Trade; Information; Accommodation & Food Services; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Public Administration; Educational Services; and Finance & Insurance. Industries reporting contraction during the period include Other Services; Transportation & Warehousing; Management of Companies & Support Services; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; and Wholesale Trade. Overall economic activity in the services sector continued to expand in January, registering 53.8%.

• The American Pet Products Association’s 2025 Bird, Small Animal & Horse Report points to expanding demand opportunities for the US pet services industry, driven by generational shifts and deeper owner engagement. Gen Z now represents 22% of bird owners and 34% of small animal owners, while Millennials account for 39% of horse owners, supporting long-term demand for grooming, boarding, and training services. Gift-giving rates are high, 76% of bird owners, 87% of small animal owners, and 73% of horse owners, signaling strong willingness to spend beyond essentials, which often extends to premium care services. Rising multi-pet ownership among horse owners (55% owning two or more horses, up 22% since 2018) further supports recurring service needs. Continued preference for in-person shopping and reliance on specialty stores for expertise suggest service providers that emphasize hands-on care and trusted guidance are well positioned for growth.
• The US pet care industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.88% between 2025 and 2029, slower than the overall economy‘s anticipated growth, according to a forecast from Inforum and the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. Pet care services are in the “other services” sector, driven by consumer spending and business expenditure. Consumer sentiment is expected to improve in the forecast period, which bodes well for the industry. Real disposable income is expected to rise 1.8% in 2025 and 1.6% in 2026, limited by a slow rise of employment and higher consumption prices. Remote work rose to 61.5% during the pandemic period but has faded to some extent post-shutdown. An average of about 28% of workdays were spent at remote locations in mid-2025. Less remote working suggests lower demand for needs related to commuting and working in the office, such as doggie daycare, dog walking, and pet sitting.