We represent the leading professional pet service associations and a collection of 100,000 pet care business owners that help make up America’s $95+ billion pet industry. This economic sector includes businesses of all sizes and touches every aspect of pet care, including, but not limited to: boarding kennels, dog daycare facilities, dog walkers, pet sitters, dog trainers, groomers, retailers, and animal welfare workers. 

Ours are essential services to millions of US households. 

Immediate congressional action is needed to protect pet care service workers who, through no fault of their own, are experiencing significant economic harm from this national pandemic. The goal of this legislation must be to ensure that the pet industry workforce can emerge from this crisis strong and intact so they can be a part of and support the economic recovery that our nation will need once we have weathered this storm — and be available for much needed professional pet care services once normal travel, work, and school routines resume.

Finally, and perhaps just as important as anything else, according to the 2019-2020 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 67% of American households (84.9 million) own at least one pet, and 95% of pet owners consider their pets to be part of the family.