During even the toughest of times, our pets provide support, bringing people together and offering companionship when we need it most. It’s this unwavering love that fuels our purpose at Mars Petcare: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

Beyond being loyal companions, pets also open the door to a world of connection and community. About 80% of pet parents meet neighbors through their pets and more than seven in 10 have formed unexpected friendships as a result.

Yet despite this and all the other benefits pets bring, millions of cats and dogs remain homeless. In the U.S. and Canada, the State of Pet Homelessness Project estimates that 1 in 5 dogs and cats are living outdoors as strays or waiting in shelters to be adopted.

“Pets Connect Us” Report

Mars Pet Nutrition North America’s fifth annual report explores these insights and how our shared love of our four-legged companions can make our communities better and also help more dogs and cats find forever homes.

Insights in the Report

These are just a few of the data points shared in the 2023 report, along with examples of how Mars Pet Nutrition North America aims to act on them:

• 89% of adults say pets are one of the easiest conversation starters.
• 83% of adults say pets cause interactions with people they wouldn’t have connected with otherwise.
• 85% of pet parents say pets have made them feel more familiar with their neighbors.
• 70% of pet parents say owning a pet makes them more invested in their community.
• 88% of pet parents want more pet-friendly places to connect with other pet lovers.
• Yet sadly, 1 in 5 dogs and cats in North America are living outdoors as strays or waiting in shelters to be adopted.

Takeaways for Pet-Friendly Cities

The report also shares key data insights for cities working to be pet friendly, policies and toolkits, and innovative programs from recent BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program grant recipients. The program’s certified cities and certified airports are listed in celebration of their commitment and progress.

Cities can learn more and find resources at BetterCitiesForPets.com/Tools.

Supporting a Better World

Finally, the report shares progress on our efforts to protect coral reefs, encourage healthy soil practices and invest in equity, inclusion and diversity.

At Mars, we believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This inspires our ongoing work to reduce our environmental impact, support a more equitable and inclusive world, and make an impact in our local communities.

Click below to see an infographic with key insights from our 2023 annual report.