“A family member like any other”: while in France half of households have at least one pet, more and more owners of dogs and cats are spoiling them for Christmas, a phenomenon which continues and which largely benefits dedicated brands.
“Animals occupy a much more important place in the heart of the home, they are full members of the family. It seems logical to associate them with Christmas celebrations”estimates Jean-Philippe Blasco, commercial director of Maxi Zoo France, one of the leaders in pet stores in France.
This company experiences a peak in activity during the holidays, with a 20% increase in sales in December compared to other months of the year. Same observation at Animalis, another heavyweight in the market, which recorded an increase in sales of 15 to 20% during this period.
“Pet owners want to spoil everyone in the family and the dog, cat or turtle are no exception. This is particularly sensitive in the toy and accessories ranges which could see their figures double over the period”explains Benjamin Robinet, marketing and e-commerce director of Animalis.
Christmas before time
A toy is precisely what Astrid Brunet plans to give to Mamen, her five-year-old Australian shepherd. “It’s to please him, he’s a member of the family like any other”assures the thirty-year-old, mother of two young children. The animal “loves tearing up gift packages, this will prevent him from attacking other people’s”she adds with a smile.
She sets a budget of around twenty euros, approximately the same amount as Baptiste Gautier. This 32-year-old father is still hesitating between a cushion and a toy for Tao, his two and a half year old golden retriever.
Sweets are also very popular, without forgetting the current trend: Advent calendars, made up of toys and treats.
“As with children, before putting a present under the tree, we start to spoil our pet before the big day. It is fully integrated into the Christmas process”Souligne M. Blasco.
A phenomenon which has grown in recent years, assure those responsible for Maxi Zoo and Animalis.
Over the past thirty years, the status of domestic dogs and cats has greatly evolved / Nhac NGUYEN / AFP/Archives
Over the past thirty years, the status of domestic dogs and cats has greatly evolved. Exit the animal adopted to guard the house or chase mice, today pets “have no other use other than to be part of our privacy”estimates sociologist Christophe Blanchard.
“Incorporating them into Christmas celebrations or everyday events has therefore become normal”adds Mr. Blanchard, also a trained dog handler.
Increase in donations
If the French spoil their four-legged companions more at Christmas, they are also more generous during this period with those who are not lucky enough to have a home.
Donations increase at Christmas, with the month of December alone representing 20% of the annual collection of the SPA (Society for the Protection of Animals) and 36% of that of the 30 Million Friends Foundation. The shelters also receive more donations in kind, rejoices the SPA.
“Giving gifts to your animals has really become the norm. But be careful, the animal is in no way a gift »warns Reha Hutin, president of the 30 million friends Foundation.
Adopt an animal, whether from a shelter or elsewhere, “It’s a contract that we all make together with the understanding that we will keep it until the end of our days”she insists.
So there is no question of abandoning your four-legged gift at the first difficulty.
The SPA specifies that it has taken care of some 45,000 animals “abandoned or mistreated” in its 64 shelters last year.
“People take or buy animals, abandon them, but then it’s us who take care of them, who try to get them back on their feet”lamented the president of the association Jacques-Charles Fombonne last summer.