Americans are spending more on their four-legged friends than ever before, with expensive dog food, high-design spaces, and ‘barkitecture’ becoming more popular. As many new homeowners take their pets into account when purchasing property, how is pet ownership affecting our homes and living spaces?

As financial struggles lead many to forgo traditional life markers, pets are becoming more deeply embedded in the family unit. And pet parents are expecting a deeper level of care for their furry friends as a result. Tapping this is The Vets, a tech-enabled platform for at-home pet care.

Pet owners are struggling with return-to-work policies, with many saying they'll miss their dog more than their kids or partner as they go back to the office. As the pandemic has seen pet ownership rise, people want empathetic policies that reflect the role of pets in their lives.

Pet ownership surged as a result of the pandemic, with around 3.2 million being purchased within the first 12 months. Pets at Home has seen great success during this period, achieving £1 billion worth of sales for the first time ever thanks to its omnichannel and highly personalised approach.