The Swiss are among the biggest spenders worldwide on caring for their pets, behind the Americans, the English and the French. More and more strat-ups are entering the sector.
In Switzerland, around 43% of households own a pet and when you love it, you don’t count. Animal lovers are indeed ready to pay the price to take care of their dog, cat, bird, rat or other hamster.
On average, a dog owner would spend 1,200 francs annually, 900 francs for a cat, according to a Comparis survey. Switzerland is thus placed at 4e rank of the countries which spend the most on their animals behind the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
Local croquette…
In Switzerland, entrepreneurs have decided to launch into the pet business. Interviewed on Tuesday in the 7:30 p.m. program, a couple, for example, developed Animéco, a brand of 100% Swiss kibble in 2022.
Despite a market dominated by large groups, the couple doubled the number of packages shipped in one year and distribute between three and four tonnes of kibble each month. Co-founder of the brand, Romain Holenweg believes that customers consider their dog “like a member of the family” and want “to give him something good”.
…to pet babysitters
Between intelligent cat flaps and pastries intended for animals, Swiss start-ups do not lack ingenuity. Another entrepreneurial couple created Sowapi four years ago. The application allows you to quickly find a “pet-sitter” – someone to look after your pet – in your area.
Today, the application has more than 10,000 users in Switzerland and has just expanded to Portugal. “We managed to reach the big cities so it shows that there is a real need,” believes Vanessa Maret.
The market for pet products and services is estimated to be worth several hundred billion dollars worldwide.
>> Review the ABE topic:
TV subject: Clémence Vonlanthen
Adaptation web: Julie Liardet
Swiss
