2. Overall Pet Industry
The pet industry has been growing consistently in the US
and abroad. For 2013, it estimated that $55.53 billion will
be spent on our pets in the U.S.
Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures*
Year Billion
2013 $55.53 Estimate
2012 $53.33 Actual
2011 $50.96
2010 $48.35
2009 $45.5
2008 $43.2
2007 $41.2
2006 $38.5
2005 $36.3
2004 $34.4
2003 $32.4
2002 $29.5
2001 $28.5
1998 $23
1996 $21
1994 $17
Estimated 2013 Sales within the U.S. Market*
Estimated Breakdown:
Food $21.26 billion
Supplies/OTC Medicine $13.21 billion
Vet Care $14.21 billion
Live animal purchases $2.31 billion
Pet Services: grooming & boarding $4.54 billion
* http://www.APPA.org
3. Pet Challenge: Initial Brainstorming & Framing
First our team did an initial brain storming session regarding pets so we could
determine the challenge that we wanted to focus on and frame our solution.
have a behavior problem – biting, noisy, toileting in inappropriate areas!
feel the cold
don’t like pet food
are very clingy with their owners
don’t like going to the vets
are too big to keep in the house
are not appreciated by the neighbors (maybe it’s an unusual pet such as a
monkey)
owning some pets requires a permit
taking your pet to work
may outlive their owners and become depressed at their loss
how to teach a pet tricks
how to teach a parrot to talk
get bored with the normal pet toys
taming a wild animal to become a pet
don’t like/are scared of people or other animals
trying to groom a pet that doesn’t like being groomed
are lazy and refuse to have any exercise especially if it’s overweight
keeps wandering off and getting lost
4. Pet Challenges: Reframing
Dog Maintenance
Is dog maintenance necessary
Do the owners need to be responsible for dog maintenance
Is dog maintenance only necessary at certain times
Who should be responsible for dog maintenance
Dog maintenance should be systematized
Is it the dog that needs to be maintained or is it the owner!
Dog maintenance should take place inside/outside of the home
Maybe the dog could maintain itself / self-service maintenance
Maybe dog could receive certain maintenance and forgo others
Maintenance may be the 'sticking plaster' for behavioral issues
Do they need a human to carry out their maintenance
Maybe a dog can be taught to look after itself
Break down the different areas of dog maintenance and get
different people to do certain things
Take the dog to a day center where they look after it - or to a
boarding 'school' and only see it at weekends! Hire out a dog when
you want it.
5. Brainstorming Session
Overall our team came up with over 170 ideas for pet challenges.
You can find the complete list at
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B59EDhkTFnPYWXFZcXdYRXNBNTg/
edit?usp=drive_web
Electronic dog stores in public places like rail stations etc where you can order using Qcode and mobile phone and get all the dog items
delivered to your home/work.
Qcode on dog tags – so if lost can find way home
Tracking device that emails or texts you if the dog gone wandering off
Dog detection – app that stores all dog codes that emergency services can use if find a dog
Real-life looking robotic dog that you can send into dangerous situations to assess, basically under cover surveillance
Real-life looking robotic dog can act as a friend or guide dog for a lonely / blind dog
Bark sensor - can detect when a dog is distressed and automatically turn on the sound of its owners voice or whatever else relaxes it
Health monitor device that measures a dogs blood pressure, heart rate, body fat calculator etc – pre-empt certain problems.
Foot warmer / heated body warmer for dogs
Foot cooler / body cooler for dogs if they’re hot
Body massager to help dogs with bad backs
Ultra sonic cleaning device for pet brushes, beds, food bowls, toilet tray etc
Solar powered water fountain
Solar powered toys that help keep dogs entertained and not destroy furniture
Flea detector that scan across body and zaps fleas killing them without harm to dog
Dog doors that have sensor so only let in your dog not the neighbor's cat or dog
6. And the winner is…..
PottyPal Mobile App
Sensor fit to the dog
or on your dogs chip
that tells when your
dog has gone to the
bathroom, duration,
location etc. and
automatically
records that on an
app/web software.
Now….there’s an
app for that
