Millennials are leading the pet adoption boom. Becoming a pet parent is its own life stage nowadays as some people delay marriage, parenthood, and/or homeownership, and Millennials have taken over as the largest pet-owning generation of Americans (a position previously held by Boomers). According to a survey conducted by Quotient of more than 1,000 U.S. cat and dog owners over 18-years-old, 43% of Millennials and 32% of Gen Z adopted a pet during the pandemic. Millennials were likely to adopt pets for their children and other family members who wanted them whereas Gen Z adopted a pet for mental health reasons. Pet adoption boomed last year as people spent more time at home, and YPulse’s research found that 76% of 21-39-year-olds are pet parents, with 42% saying spending more time at home has made them closer with their pet. (Pet Food Industry, The Atlantic)
