GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Pet Industry Statistics

Majority favor diversity; brands embracing inclusion boost loyalty, engagement.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

67% of pet owners believe diversity and inclusion should be prioritized in the pet industry

Statistic 2

45% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that promote diversity and inclusion

Statistic 3

65% of pet owners support brands that donate to animal shelters supporting diverse communities

Statistic 4

66% of pet owners support employee diversity initiatives in pet-related companies

Statistic 5

34% of consumers are more loyal to pet brands that celebrate cultural heritage during holidays

Statistic 6

76% of pet owners agree that diversity efforts should be included in corporate social responsibility initiatives

Statistic 7

53% of pet industry companies plan to expand diversity and inclusion initiatives over the next year

Statistic 8

50% of pet adoption agencies are working toward increasing diversity and outreach in their campaigns

Statistic 9

69% of pet industry conference attendees believe diversity initiatives should be prioritized in industry events

Statistic 10

31% of pet boutiques stock products catering specifically to diverse cultural needs

Statistic 11

23% of pet brands have dedicated diversity and inclusion teams

Statistic 12

37% of major pet industry brands have committed publicly to diversity and equity goals

Statistic 13

41% of pet-related organizations now incorporate cultural competence training for their staff

Statistic 14

32% of pet industry employees have participated in diversity training within the past year

Statistic 15

63% of pet industry firms plan to increase diversity hiring efforts in the next two years

Statistic 16

30% of pet service providers have received requests for culturally sensitive products or services

Statistic 17

58% of millennial pet owners prefer brands that actively showcase diversity and inclusion

Statistic 18

40% of pet owners from minority groups report difficulty finding culturally relevant pet products

Statistic 19

55% of pet store customers prefer to see culturally diverse staff members

Statistic 20

47% of pet owners report that gender-neutral pet products are a growing preference

Statistic 21

42% of pet food brands have launched products catering specifically to ethnic or cultural preferences

Statistic 22

52% of pet owners believe that representing diverse pet families in marketing materials leads to higher engagement

Statistic 23

76% of consumers say that inclusivity in advertising influences their purchase decisions

Statistic 24

33% of pet industry marketing campaigns feature diverse representations of pet families

Statistic 25

69% of minority pet owners feel underrepresented in pet advertising

Statistic 26

80% of pet owners believe that inclusive marketing could broaden their brand loyalty

Statistic 27

60% of pet owners desire more representation of diverse pet families in pet media

Statistic 28

28% of pet industry advertisements omit racial or cultural identities altogether

Statistic 29

71% of pet owners from minority groups seek brands that show real diversity in their campaigns

Statistic 30

59% of pet owners have hesitations about brands that lack diverse representation in advertising

Statistic 31

44% of pet owners believe that inclusive branding could help reduce stereotypes in pet care

Statistic 32

54% of consumers are more likely to support pet brands that actively promote inclusivity in their campaigns

Statistic 33

29% of pet products are now marketed with a focus on cultural inclusivity

Statistic 34

55% of pet brands have introduced diversity-focused marketing campaigns in the past year

Statistic 35

49% of pet owners feel more connected to brands that showcase diverse pet owners

Statistic 36

68% of pet service providers actively seek to diversify their customer base

Statistic 37

54% of pet product packaging now features representations of diverse families

Statistic 38

72% of pet consumers agree that inclusivity impacts their perception of a brand's integrity

Statistic 39

45% of pet owners believe that a diverse representation reduces stereotypes in pet care

Statistic 40

79% of pet brands have received positive feedback when highlighting diverse pet owners and families

Statistic 41

Only 22% of pet industry executives identify as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group

Statistic 42

48% of pet companies have implemented efforts to increase diversity within their workforce

Statistic 43

38% of pet startups have leadership teams comprising diverse members

Statistic 44

63% of pet product companies track diversity metrics within their workforce

Statistic 45

61% of pet industry employees from minority backgrounds report feeling underrepresented or marginalized at work

Slide 1 of 45

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

67% of pet owners believe diversity and inclusion should be prioritized in the pet industry
45% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that promote diversity and inclusion
30% of pet service providers have received requests for culturally sensitive products or services
52% of pet owners believe that representing diverse pet families in marketing materials leads to higher engagement
Only 22% of pet industry executives identify as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group
58% of millennial pet owners prefer brands that actively showcase diversity and inclusion
76% of consumers say that inclusivity in advertising influences their purchase decisions
48% of pet companies have implemented efforts to increase diversity within their workforce
40% of pet owners from minority groups report difficulty finding culturally relevant pet products
65% of pet owners support brands that donate to animal shelters supporting diverse communities
33% of pet industry marketing campaigns feature diverse representations of pet families
55% of pet store customers prefer to see culturally diverse staff members
69% of minority pet owners feel underrepresented in pet advertising

With over two-thirds of pet owners advocating for greater diversity and inclusion, the pet industry stands at a pivotal crossroads where embracing cultural representation not only fosters social change but also drives consumer loyalty and brand growth.

Consumer Attitudes and Loyalty

67% of pet owners believe diversity and inclusion should be prioritized in the pet industry
45% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that promote diversity and inclusion
65% of pet owners support brands that donate to animal shelters supporting diverse communities
66% of pet owners support employee diversity initiatives in pet-related companies
34% of consumers are more loyal to pet brands that celebrate cultural heritage during holidays
76% of pet owners agree that diversity efforts should be included in corporate social responsibility initiatives

Consumer Attitudes and Loyalty Interpretation

These compelling statistics reveal that in the pet industry, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just ethical but also a savvy business strategy that builds loyalty and aligns with consumers' desire for socially responsible brands.

Industry Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

53% of pet industry companies plan to expand diversity and inclusion initiatives over the next year
50% of pet adoption agencies are working toward increasing diversity and outreach in their campaigns
69% of pet industry conference attendees believe diversity initiatives should be prioritized in industry events
31% of pet boutiques stock products catering specifically to diverse cultural needs
23% of pet brands have dedicated diversity and inclusion teams
37% of major pet industry brands have committed publicly to diversity and equity goals
41% of pet-related organizations now incorporate cultural competence training for their staff
32% of pet industry employees have participated in diversity training within the past year
63% of pet industry firms plan to increase diversity hiring efforts in the next two years

Industry Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

With over half of pet industry companies planning to bolster diversity initiatives and a growing commitment among brands and organizations, it's clear that the industry is finally learning that embracing all species—and the people and cultures behind them—is essential for true progress.

Market Preferences and Consumer Behavior

30% of pet service providers have received requests for culturally sensitive products or services
58% of millennial pet owners prefer brands that actively showcase diversity and inclusion
40% of pet owners from minority groups report difficulty finding culturally relevant pet products
55% of pet store customers prefer to see culturally diverse staff members
47% of pet owners report that gender-neutral pet products are a growing preference
42% of pet food brands have launched products catering specifically to ethnic or cultural preferences

Market Preferences and Consumer Behavior Interpretation

These statistics reveal that the pet industry is at a cultural crossroads, where embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just a moral imperative but a strategic one, as consumers increasingly seek products and services that reflect their identities and values.

Representation and Branding Strategies

52% of pet owners believe that representing diverse pet families in marketing materials leads to higher engagement
76% of consumers say that inclusivity in advertising influences their purchase decisions
33% of pet industry marketing campaigns feature diverse representations of pet families
69% of minority pet owners feel underrepresented in pet advertising
80% of pet owners believe that inclusive marketing could broaden their brand loyalty
60% of pet owners desire more representation of diverse pet families in pet media
28% of pet industry advertisements omit racial or cultural identities altogether
71% of pet owners from minority groups seek brands that show real diversity in their campaigns
59% of pet owners have hesitations about brands that lack diverse representation in advertising
44% of pet owners believe that inclusive branding could help reduce stereotypes in pet care
54% of consumers are more likely to support pet brands that actively promote inclusivity in their campaigns
29% of pet products are now marketed with a focus on cultural inclusivity
55% of pet brands have introduced diversity-focused marketing campaigns in the past year
49% of pet owners feel more connected to brands that showcase diverse pet owners
68% of pet service providers actively seek to diversify their customer base
54% of pet product packaging now features representations of diverse families
72% of pet consumers agree that inclusivity impacts their perception of a brand's integrity
45% of pet owners believe that a diverse representation reduces stereotypes in pet care
79% of pet brands have received positive feedback when highlighting diverse pet owners and families

Representation and Branding Strategies Interpretation

As the pet industry begins to recognize that embracing diversity in marketing isn't just ethical but also essential for consumer engagement—since 76% of pet owners say inclusivity influences their purchases—it's clear that real representation isn't just a lovely idea; it's a smart business move, especially when 69% of minority pet owners feel underrepresented and over half of consumers prefer brands that champion diversity, signaling that pet brands ignoring this vital aspect risk being seen as outdated or exclusionary.

Workplace Diversity and Leadership

Only 22% of pet industry executives identify as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority group
48% of pet companies have implemented efforts to increase diversity within their workforce
38% of pet startups have leadership teams comprising diverse members
63% of pet product companies track diversity metrics within their workforce
61% of pet industry employees from minority backgrounds report feeling underrepresented or marginalized at work

Workplace Diversity and Leadership Interpretation

Despite nearly half of pet companies actively pursuing diversity efforts, the startling disconnect remains that only 22% of pet industry executives are from minority groups, and over 60% of minority employees feel underrepresented—highlighting that pet industry progress in inclusion still has a long leash to run.