Poul Weihrauch’s Post

The data showing that 1 out of 3 pets are homeless hit me especially hard this week as my sweet baby rescue pup just crossed the rainbow bridge. In the rescue community, there is a common phrase "who rescued who," which was infinitely true in my case with how much love and joy my little guy brought to us. He was rescued off of the streets of LA (which had a high kill rate at the time due to the number of pets in shelters) and transported by rescue organizations to Seattle, where I met him at an adoption fair. It is easy to get discouraged when working in animal rescue, but being able to understand the facts and data to address pet homelessness at a large scale is immensely motivating. The three main causes are: 1) Pet–friendly housing limitations: Almost 1 in 5 people that are considering giving up their cat or dog in the near future say it’s because they are moving and cannot take their pet with them. And almost half of those who have re-homed a pet in the past did so for that reason. 2) Pet ownership challenges: Globally, around 15% of pet owners are considering giving up their pet in the next 12 months.  A number of factors contribute, with personal health and fitness challenges to still be able to care for a pet being the number one reason globally, housing related factors coming second, and time pressure to be able to look after a pet being the third most common reason. Other factors like behavior, family allergies and cost also appear in the data. 3) Stemming homeless population increase: A surprising number of people lose their pet, and often don’t get reunited. Almost half of people surveyed said they had lost a pet in the past, and of those almost 60% were never found by their owners.  Globally, pet owners report that only ~50% of owned dogs and ~60% of cats are sterilized, meaning the remainder, if allowed to reproduce unchecked, can result in unplanned litters, exacerbating the problem.  Understanding the causes helps us address the causes vs. the symptoms. Very proud that Mars is engaged and leading this work (along with the amazing work that Mars Veterinary Health does for the pets once you have them). 🐕 🐶 🐈 ❤️ #proudlymars #adoptdontshop #whorescuedwho #doggyrescue #animalrescue #abetterworldforpets #pawsitiveinfluence Humane Society International Angels Among Us Pet Rescue

Thank you Loic Moutault and Jeffrey Flocken for the Mars State Of Homelessness Project. As an animal mad household and FMCG person, it is very close to my heart. In fact, I sponsor the brilliant Niall Harbison at HappyDoggo.com fixing the global street dog problem and … today ‘Bee’ and ‘Siren’ two rescued kittens from Dubai with sight problems are joining our family thanks to the power of the equally brilliant Gita and Rowena West (Zebratini). You’ll be glad to hear they’re Royal Canin kitties! 🐈⬛ 🐈 🗞️ For Cat and Dog mums and dads everywhere: Luq Niazi, Colm O'Brien, Yagnesh (Yagi) Odhavji, Antoine P., Alex Bauer, Lesley Salmon, John Bennett, Kate Jones, Chris Norris, Andrea Parry-Clarke, John Crampton, Liz Tinlin, Petrina Needham, Elizabeth Mircica, Natalie Johnson … The global pet care market is fascinating. I love it. From $208billion in 2020 to $223billion in 2021 and projected to grow to $326billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.6%. It is a vibrant sector, with start-ups like Bella & Duke (subscription raw food), Tractive (which we use to track our naughty Airedales), Tailwise (responsible breeding) or BorrowMyDoggy (kinda self explanatory), the sector is dominated by the Big Three including Mars and their premium Royal Canin business. Within the pet category, the fastest growing areas are services (like grooming or veterinary which Mars are sensibly growing) and supplements (with CBD the fastest (if you meet ‪Charlie-Girl-“Rat-Dog”, you’ll understand)). More: https://lnkd.in/eUZDrdGe, https://lnkd.in/epfC9jds IBM is proud to work extensively with the world’s leading pet food companies running their e-commerce, supporting their data, providing AI, analytics and insight, driving their business processes enabled by salesforce and SAP and more. #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #FMCG #ConsumerGoods #Retail #RethinkRetail #RethinkRetailTopExpert IBM RETHINK Retail #ABetterWorldForPets

A newsletter from Morning Brew hit my inbox with the following statistics: The number of stray dogs in US shelters has increased by 22% since 2021, per data from the Shelter Animals Count database. Canine deaths in shelters are up 27% from last year and 78% from 2021. The Bloomberg article is linked below. Those who work in rescue, unfortunately, knew this could happen. Most folks who adopt dogs are first time dog owners. They finally had the time to stay home, acclimate a dog and have a companion during difficult times. But then, they were called back to the office… and things got tricky. I’ve met a good number of pandemic dogs and the most common issues I see are: - Social awkwardness to full on reactivity towards dogs, humans and/or both - Separation anxiety Both difficult to handle during swift RTO mandates. We ask folks who adopt dogs to stand by them, but how can they when their livelihoods are at risk? These policies not only cause harm to humans. These policies are killing dogs. I repeat: Canine deaths in shelters are up 27% from last year and 78% from 2021. If you’re in the C-suite or a decision maker for RTO you can make a donation to Rain or Shine Rescue rescue here: https://lnkd.in/eh-SKpwu Please like, share, comment for reach. #rescue #shelter #dogs #foster #adoptdontshop

We love pets, and across the world, millions of happy pets are part of loving families and communities. But some pets aren’t so lucky. In fact, millions of dogs and cats are homeless, either roaming the streets or living in shelters.   It’s why we, in partnership with leading animal welfare organizations, are launching the State of Pet Homelessness Project: the largest ever study into the scale and causes of pet homelessness, bringing data and insight that will help treat the root causes, not just the symptoms.  “For every two dogs or cats that are part of a family or community in the countries surveyed, there is another one that is not so fortunate”, says our Global President Mars Petcare Loic Moutault. “That is not the world we want for pets, and we hope this data will help drive targeted interventions to give more pets the life they deserve.”  Get to know more about this open-source data project by visiting https://lnkd.in/edwJ8XZq.  #ABetterWorldForPets #StateOfPetHomelessnessProject  

Pet homelessness is a complicated issue, and one historically hindered by a lack of clear, cohesive data to direct resources and guide solutions. The State of Pet Homelessness Project—a global initiative spearheaded by Mars and leading animal welfare organizations—is addressing that challenge head on. Through expert interviews, public surveys and data from local sources, the project paints a detailed picture of pet homelessness across 20 countries. Check out the post below to see the results of the State of Pet Homelessness Project and how they can drive targeted actions to help prevent unwanted pets, ensure pets get the care they need, and keep pets in homes with the people who love them. #StateOfPetHomelessness #ABetterWorldForPets #ProudlyMars

🐾 Helping Abandoned Dogs: A Call to Action! 🐶 Sipping my coffee for warmth, I found unexpected company at the restaurant- this serene dog seeking solace from the cold, simply enjoying a moment of warmth and acceptance. Let's be the warmth and kindness these animals need. Tens of thousands dogs are abandoned in the Balkans each year... Economic hardships, lack of awareness about responsible pet ownership, and inadequate animal welfare policies contribute to this issue. Here's how we can make a difference: Approach with Care: If safe, try to approach with food and gain trust. If possible, contain in a secure area. Spread the Word: Share photos and info on social media, community boards, and forums to amplify the search. Provide Temporary Care: If possible, offer food and water, and consider fostering or adopting. Support Local Organizations: Contribute to animal welfare organizations through donations, volunteering, or fundraising. Promote Responsible Ownership: Educate the community on responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying/neutering. Let's join hands to create a safer, more compassionate community for our furry friends. 🐕💙 #AnimalWelfare #CommunityLove #RescueDogs #LinkedInForGood Udomite.me

Want to hear a statistic that might blow your mind? If 0.18% of Dorchester County residents adopted an animal from Dorchester Paws - our kennels would be empty. Just 0.18% of our community, and no animal would be without a warm bed to sleep tonight. While this number may seem small, it’s the difference maker for each of the 302 shelter residents in our care, like Junie. This number could rewrite the story of loneliness and longing for 2 year old lovable Junie. It’s the critical number for triumph in animal welfare and victory for each and every animal. 0.18% Each adoption is not merely a statistic but a commitment to providing loving homes and remaining a nurturing environment for the many souls in need. Together, we can continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of so many and expand our capacity to care for even more in the future. Whether you’re able to open your home and heart through adoption, fostering, or you know 3 to 5 people who might be - our community can rally around homeless animals and ensure bright futures for them. Stop in from 12p-5p to potentially meet your new best friend!

At AniCura and Mars Petcare, we have a clear Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. However, around the world, there are millions of cats and dogs in shelters, or living on the street without appropriate levels of care and support. New research released as part of the State of Pet Homelessness Project compiled across 20 countries shows that, for every two pets with a home, there is one without – with an estimated 362 million homeless cats and dogs. Reviewing data from over 900 global and local sources, along with 30,000 public surveys and 200 expert interviews, the project builds a picture of pet homelessness across different countries across the world. Working alongside Mars on this global data initiative is an advisory panel of leading animal welfare experts from organizations including Humane Society International, Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs, International Partnership for Dogs, and the International Companion Animal Management Coalition   This initiative aims to provide data and understanding that can address the underlying causes rather than just alleviating the symptoms. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/du_Dy22r To find out more about the State of Pet Homelessness Project and to go deeper into the data, visit https://lnkd.in/eZ-9v9H6  #MarsPetcare #ABetterWorldForPets #StateOfPetHomelessnessProject #AniCura  #Shapingthefutureofveterinarycare

We're celebrating our 3rd Annual Holiday Pet Pantry & Gift Drive! As the holiday season approaches, it's a time of joy and giving, but also a period when many in our community face hardships. This year, PJB is proud to continue our tradition of supporting those in need, including our furry friends. How You Can Contribute 1. Pet Pantry Donations: We are collecting pet food and supplies. Your contributions will stock the pet pantry at Operation Kindness, providing crucial aid to pet owners in need. This support helps keep pets nourished and with their loving families. 2. Gifts for Shelter Animals: Brighten up a shelter animal's day! We are gathering toys, treats, and comfort items. These gifts offer joy and stimulation to the animals awaiting their forever homes. More Ways to Help 1. Spread the Word: Adopt, Don’t Shop: If you or someone you know is considering adding a pet to their life, remember the motto “Adopt, Don’t Shop.” There are countless loving animals at Operation Kindness waiting for a family. 2. Fostering – A Temporary Home, A Lifelong Impact: Not ready to adopt? Consider fostering a pet. Fostering provides temporary homes for animals, reducing the strain on shelters and giving pets a loving environment. It's a deeply rewarding experience that also plays a crucial role in preparing animals for their forever homes. If you're interested, contact Operation Kindness to learn more about their fostering program. Participation Details - Collection Point: Our office at 200 W. Belmont Drive, Suite D | Allen, Texas - Dates: We're accepting donations from now to Friday, December 22nd. - Virtual Donations: For those who prefer online contributions, please visit www.operationkindness.org to donate directly to Operation Kindness. Why Your Help Matters Your generosity can make a world of difference. Whether it's providing a meal to a pet in need or a toy to a shelter animal, each gesture counts towards spreading holiday cheer and compassion. #animalwelfare #petfood #seasonofgiving #petpantry #animalshelter #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives