Animal rights activists were briefly miffed at President Obama after learning that Bo, the First Dog, came from a breeder and not an animal shelter.
Abbie Moore, executive director of Adopt-a-Pet.com, says "This is a missed opportunity [for Obama] to set a pet-adoption trend among Americans. With pet relinquishment up 20 to 30 percent due to the poor economy, pets in shelters can use all the help they can get."
In a move perhaps meant to assuage animal activists’ anger, the Obama family has pledged to donate to the United States Humane Society in Washington D.C.
To the President’s credit, it’s reported that Bo the dog was a gift to the Obama family from Senator Edward Kennedy. And even Bo was returned to the kennel by his original owners, making him what animal shelters would call a "second-chance dog."
Presidential Breeder Blunders
Obama Sparks Ire for Not Buying Dog From An Animal Shelter
Trend Themes
1. Pet Adoption - The trend towards adopting pets from shelters instead of buying from breeders can offer opportunities for business to partner with animal welfare organizations, offer incentives for adopting, and create innovative models for shelter funding.
2. Animal Activism - The growing trend of animal activism in society could offer opportunities for companies to strengthen their corporate social responsibility by supporting animal welfare organizations and their causes through funding and charitable engagements.
3. Eco-friendly Pet Ownership - The ongoing trend towards environmentally-friendly lifestyles creates an opportunity for pet brands to develop eco-friendly pet foods, toys, and accessories that align with consumers' concerns for the planet.
Industry Implications
1. Pet Food and Nutrition - The pet food and nutrition industry has an opportunity to innovate and offer environmental-friendly products. Besides promoting their eco-friendly credentials, suppliers can also offset that by creatively marketing sustainable and nutritional pet food products.
2. Pet Accessories - Pet accessory manufacturers can pivot to manufacture environment-friendly alternatives to satisfy consumers’ concerns regarding the planet while providing cost-effective alternatives. This could be achieved by replacing plastic with rubber, and producing chew toys from bamboo instead of glues and resins.
3. Animal Welfare Organizations - The animal welfare organizations can adapt to the trend by strategically partnering and collaborating with businesses to create innovative models for shelter funding. Funding can come from various channels, such as charity walks, community support, and enterprise partnerships.