# Soup Kitchens for Pets The Animal Board By Marissa Brassfield | Published 2008-11-02 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soup-kitchens-for-pets-animal-board References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2008/11/01/soup-kitchen-for-dogs/) & [reuters](http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE49U6JZ20081031) The economic downturn has taken its toll on many different kinds of families, a phenomenon that has led to the opening of [Animal Board](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/animal-surgical-center), the first-ever [soup kitchen for pets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pawsperity) in Berlin. It’s meant to cater to the four-legged friends of unemployed, homeless and financially unstable individuals. Director Claudia Hollm emphasized the importance of animals in our daily lives. Hollm has received heavy criticism for her choice to collect money for dogs rather than for humans, according to [Reuters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/facebook1). Animal Board receives sponsorship from several pet-related companies, including pet food producers. Image Credit: [preciouskhyatt](http://flickr.com/photos/preciouskhyatt/1245081824/) | [colros](http://flickr.com/photos/73416633@N00/442553594/) | [faeryboots](http://flickr.com/photos/faeryboots/2943344604/) | [Est Bleu2007](http://flickr.com/photos/lonelycamera/168353286/) | [Skye Suicide](http://flickr.com/photos/lonelycamera/168353286/) | [Wrote](http://flickr.com/photos/wrote/2212247176/) | [Tauri Tuubel](http://flickr.com/photos/tauri/27092174/) | [*Solar ikon*](http://flickr.com/photos/chunyang/268662269/)| [preciouskhyatt](http://flickr.com/photos/preciouskhyatt/1087306377/) | [preciouskhyatt](http://flickr.com/photos/preciouskhyatt/1399576118/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 15% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Pet Welfare:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new services or products that focus on the welfare of pets during times of economic downturn. - **Social Responsibility:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create programs or initiatives that address the needs of economically vulnerable individuals and their pets. - **Niche Market:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential for specialized products or services targeting financially unstable individuals and their pets. ### Who This Affects Most - **Pet Food:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create affordable and nutritious pet food options for financially unstable pet owners. - **Animal Welfare:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative solutions to provide healthcare and support for pets belonging to economically vulnerable individuals. - **Non-profit Organizations:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Establish non-profit organizations that focus on providing resources and assistance for pets in families impacted by economic downturns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital Canine Blood Registries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bark-bank.md) - [Canine-Friendly Restaurant Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cafe-villa.md) - [Pet Shelter-Supporting Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petshelter-american-lager.md) - [Egg-Centric Dog Breakfasts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-good-egg-pet-food-company.md) - [Modern Pet-Friendly Kitchenware Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petfriendly-kitchenware.md) - [Animal Shelter-Supporting Brand Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shelters-united.md) - [Digital Dog Shelter Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rare-breed1.md) - [Dog-Friendly Instant Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noodles-for-dogs.md) - [Upcycled Dog Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doggiebag.md)