Pet Care Services NAICS 812910

Sep 24, 2025 - Pet Care Sector Anticipating Holiday Travel Decline

• According to a report in Pet Boarding and Daycare magazine, pet care businesses face reduced demand for holiday boarding with fewer Americans traveling due to economic uncertainty. The report cited several studies showing a slowdown in vacation travel plans, with consumers shortening their vacations and staying closer to home. With a slowdown in holiday bookings likely, profitability for pet boarding providers hinges more on strategic booking, not just occupancy. Key recommendations include phone training to convert leads, selective booking of high-value clients, proactive outbound calls, and cautious overbooking to offset cancellations. The goal is to increase per-reservation value and stabilize revenue during a critical season. For the pet care sector, the shift highlights the need to evolve from passive intake to active revenue management. As travel-linked demand softens, businesses must optimize client engagement, refine booking practices, and invest in staff training to protect margins and build resilience heading into 2026.
• Consumer prices for pet care services increased by 5.8% in August 2025 compared to a year ago and were flat compared to the previous month, according to the Consumer Price Index data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment by pet care services fell 0.6% in July 2025 compared to a year ago, per the BLS. In the past decade, employment by pet care services rose 97.3%, faster than the 13% growth in overall private employment, reflecting the growth in pet ownership during the period. Average wages for nonsupervisory employees at pet services increased 13.1% in July 2025, reaching $22.61 per hour.

• US consumer mood indicators have weakened, signaling potential headwinds for spending. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index fell 1.3 points in August 2025, with the decline driven by younger consumers under 35, while confidence among those over 55 improved. Meanwhile, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index slipped to 55.4 in early September from 58.2 in August, down 21% year over year. Inflation expectations held steady, but persistent worries about prices and tariff impacts remain. Consumer sentiment and confidence are leading indicators of discretionary spending, which drives two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. A continued slump suggests households may curb purchases and delay big-ticket decisions, raising risks for retailers, service providers, and the broader economy.
• According to a report in Travel and Tour World, pet-friendly accommodations are becoming a new travel trend in the US and many other countries. The report noted that the US, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Australia, and Canada are spearheading the movement, equipping hotels with the amenities to give pets and their owners a good experience. Adding pet-friendly rooms can increase bookings and boost overall tourism. Hotels and vacation rental owners may charge pet owners a fee and/or a pet deposit for the convenience. Customers tend to be loyal to hotels that offer pet-friendly stays. Some US hotels offer special services for pets like grooming, doggy pools, and even concierge services. Pet care providers may need to partner with hotels to attract vacationing customers and their pets for services, to take advantage of a new potential group of customers.