Vancouver, WA – Aligning with the upcoming 2020 United States Census, Wisdom Health, the world’s leader in pet genetics, announces its own 2020 United States Pet Census. This parallel population survey seeks to provide insights into the lives of the Nation’s cats and dogs, asking owners about a variety of factors, including their pets’ size, breed, activity levels and overall lifestyle to better understand the lives of American pets.
Pet owner responses will be analyzed in combination with WISDOM PANEL’s genetic information providing a clearer picture of potential healthcare considerations to keep our cats and dogs healthier. These comparisons will also give a deeper understanding of the purebred and mixed breed pet population, and provide clues regarding the history of dogs and cats in the U.S., as well as the preferences of owners by region and state.
“Wisdom Health is a purpose driven company focused on leveraging technology to make A Better World for Pets,” said Audrey Yoo, general manager of Wisdom Health. “Not only will the 2020 Pet Census provide a window into the lives of America’s cats and dogs, but it will also better inform the relationship between pets, their owners, breeders, shelters and veterinarians with the ultimate goal of improved pet care and wellness.”
“The insights from the Pet Census, together with genetic information from WISDOM PANEL, will help advance the healthcare of the Nation’s cats and dogs,” said Dr. Angela Hughes DVM PhD, veterinarian and genetics expert at Wisdom Health. “We’re also hoping a genetic portrait of our nation’s pets will lead to greater awareness of which breeds are predisposed to certain complex health conditions such as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) or skin allergies (atopy), along with the genetic disorders found in the WISDOM PANEL array of tests.”
The Pet Census is scheduled to begin later this year with results expected in 2020.
About the 2020 Pet Census
The 2020 Pet Census will be a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s dog and cat population. Similar to the U.S. Census, researchers for the Pet Census will examine topics including:
Average number of pets in each household
The nation’s top purebred and mixed breed dogs
The nation’s top pedigreed and random bred cats
Places where people are obtaining their pets
Most popular feeding choices
Most popular activities to engage in with their pets (e.g. agility, tracking, fetch, etc.)
Most common reasons for obtaining a pet
Preventative healthcare regimen (e.g. flea control, heartworm, etc.)
Most common diagnosed disorders
Frequency of veterinary visits
2010 National Mutt Census Findings
The 2020 Pet Census is a follow-up to the “National Mutt Census” that Wisdom Health, formerly Mars Veterinary, conducted in 2010. The 2010 National Mutt Census surveyed more than 16,000 mixed breed dog owners and, at the time, was the most comprehensive analysis of the nation’s mixed breed dog population ever conducted. Key findings of the 2010 National Mutt Census uncovered a range of insights such as:
German Shepherds were among the most popular purebred and mixed breed dogs.
Most mixed breed dog owners prefer smaller dogs over larger dogs. Mixed breed dogs weighing more than 80 pounds represented less than 11 percent of all mixed breed dogs.
Shelters were the most frequently cited place (46 percent) where people obtained mixed breed dogs, followed by a friend/neighbor or relative (18 percent).
Dry dog food was the most popular feeding choice (65 percent), surpassing mixed food (wet and dry – 21 percent), wet food (5 percent) and raw food and scraps (9 percent).
About Wisdom Health
Wisdom Health is part of Kinship, a division of Mars Petcare focused on realizing a new vision for the future of pet care by making tech and data breakthroughs possible. Wisdom Health’s mission is facilitating responsible pet care by enhancing the well-being and relationship between pets, pet owners, breeders, shelters and veterinarians through valuable insights into pets as individuals. For more than a decade, Wisdom Health has researched and developed state-of-the-art genetic tests for companion animals, revolutionizing personalized pet care. By unlocking the secrets of their dog or cat’s DNA, owners and veterinarians can work together to tailor wellness programs that fit the one-of-a-kind needs of their unique pet. For more information, visit http://www.wisdompanel.com.
About Kinship Partners, LLC
Advances in science, technology, health and nutrition offer an opportunity to transform the $100B+ pet care industry. With industry-leading data and analytics capabilities, a $100M venture fund and pioneering startup accelerator program, unique set of technology businesses like Whistle and Wisdom Health, Kinship is building the first-of-its-kind coalition of partners to transform the future of pet care. Kinship is a business division of Mars Petcare, the global leader in pet health, nutrition and services, dedicated to one purpose: A Better World for Pets. Follow @kinshipco to learn more.
About Mars Petcare
Part of Mars, Incorporated, a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love, the 85,000 Associates in Mars Petcare are dedicated to one purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. With 75 years of experience, our portfolio of almost 50 brands serves the health and nutrition needs of the world’s pets – including brands PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, ROYAL CANIN®, NUTRO™, GREENIES™, SHEBA®, CESAR®, IAMS™ and EUKANUBA™ as well as The WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition which has advanced research in the nutrition and health of pets for over 50 years. Mars Petcare is also a leading veterinary health provider through a network of over 2,000 pet hospitals including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, PET PARTNERS™, VCA™,Linnaeus and AniCura. We’re also active in innovation and technology for pets, with WISDOM PANEL™ genetic health screening and DNA testing for dogs, the WHISTLE™ GPS dog tracker, and LEAP VENTURE STUDIO accelerator and COMPANION FUND™ programs that drive innovation and disruption in the pet care industry. As a family business and guided by our principles, we are privileged with the flexibility to fight for what we believe in – and we choose to fight for: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.
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