Gaines Ville Times:
‘It was the night before Christmas, and not a creature was stirring - except maybe Fido, who was pawing through the gifts to see what Santa brought him.
Pets may not understand the meaning of Christmas, but that hasn’t stopped them from becoming part of the celebration.
‘I think everyone can agree that the pet has become a member of the family,’ said Michelle Friedman, spokeswoman for PetSmart, which has a store on Dawsonville Highway. ‘There’s certainly a growing trend toward people giving their pets gifts.’
In a recent survey from the Connecticut-based American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 1-third of cat owners and more than half of dog owners said they planned to buy Christmas presents for their animals.
Bob Vetere, president of the association, said consumers in the United States spent about $2.5 billion last year on holiday items for pets. ‘I think one of the biggest things driving the trend is that so many baby boomers’ children have gone off to college, and they’re starting to direct their spending toward their pets,’ he said. ‘Pets are also increasingly valued by young professionals who don’t have children.’ Read full article.
Subscribe 
