The Pet Realty Network may seem like a silly idea, but the demographics suggest the idea is ahead of its time. As the U.S. becomes more and more densely populated -- that's to say heavily populated (not populated with dense people,) residents must face the fact that the age of encroachment is over. No longer can smokers pollute the wide open spaces; nor can pet owners impose their barking, meowing, litter-producing, defecating animals on others.

The reason? Pet ownership is so out of control that it's like herding cats.

The growth of pets has been exponential. According to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners (NPO) Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, 63 percent of U.S. households, or 71.1 million homes, own a pet. A record 44.8 million households owned dogs and 38.4 million owned cats in 2006. Cats outnumber dogs by 88 million to 75 million. That's a big change from 1988, the first year the NPO survey was conducted, when 56 percent of U.S. households owned a pet.

What's more interesting is the change in pet-owner demographics and how that number may correspond to other demographic changes.

For example, pets used to be purchased by families with children (think Timmy and Lassie), but now the majority of pet owners, 61 percent, are childless. Childless households cover the gamut of singles, unmarried couples, couples waiting to have kids, gay couples, empty-nesters and perhaps a few terrorist cells.

In 2006, for the first time, single heads of households outnumbered married heads of households, now only 48 percent of households are headed by a husband or wife. Single women make up one-fifth of homebuyers.

Americans are soothing loneliness with pets, and spending $40 billion annually to spoil them like babies. By the end of the decade, APPMA projects annual pet expenditures to reach $50 billion.

The pet boom has been studied by the American Kennel Club, which recently released its first-ever AKC 21st Century Dog Owners Study, which focuses on "the behaviors, attitudes and purchasing habits of dog owners. Of the 750 AKC respondents, 42 percent of women said they own a dog to enhance their personal health and reduce stress. Not surprisingly, 99 percent of owners surveyed stated the reason they own a dog is for companionship. And 88 percent of dog owners surveyed regard their dog as a beloved family member."

When asked about the benefits of dog ownership, the AKC respondents, the majority of whom are female, said the following:

• 72 percent of owners credited their four-legged best friends with enhancing their own personal health.

• Over half (51 percent) of dog owners surveyed stated that their dogs affect how they spend their leisure time.

• The top activity enjoyed by dog owners is a good old-fashioned walk (which is a biggie for pet-friendly neighborhoods.) Almost half (48 percent) declared that they enjoy leisurely strolls with their four legged best friends.

• 87 percent of dog owners said they watch dog shows on T.V., which suggests that dogs are a top-of-mind enjoyment

• Nearly two thirds of owners fence their yards to contain their pets in various ways, affirming their commitment to responsible dog ownership.

• Most owners enjoy their canine companions as household pets, and almost half (48 percent) have owned a dog for 20 years or more.

• Four out of 10 dog owners have made arrangements for their dogs in the event that they pass away before their dog does. Over half (67 percent) of respondents felt that the most common drawback against owning a dog is the potential for feeling sad when the dog dies.

• Almost half of dog owners surveyed stated they specifically look for dog friendly hotels and other accommodations when booking travel plans.

• When buying a car, 47 percent of owners consider their dogs comfort in the decision making process. For longtime dog owners (10+ years), the likelihood of purchasing a car based upon travel needs of their dogs increased to 52 percent.

"The study reveals that dog ownership heavily influences both lifestyle and purchasing habits," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson.

There's even a site called Dogcars.comwhere car buyers can rate and learn about pet-friendly vehicles. Honda is designing a new dog-friendly car called the W.O.W., or Wonderful Open-hearted Wagon. Guess they couldn't quite make the BOW-WOW work, as the car remains only a concept, but Honda surely knows their target market. If only one-fifth of Japanese households have a dog, and there are 44.8 million dog-owning households in America, it's a sure bet that some version of the W.O.W. will make its BOW in the U.S.some day.

All of this information points to a potentially successful niche market for real estate agents, especially considering that approximately 10.7 million families move with pets each year, according to a March 2007 article from Pet Product News International.

The Pet Realty Network is actively seeking real estate developers and communities to join by registering for free. Members can then upload any number of their Pet Friendly Communities for a minimal fee per upload to the national database of Pet Friendly Real Estate, targeted to a national and international audience of Pet Friendly Visitors. Promotion of the website, includes, “Monday at the Water Bowl,” a series of Dog to Dog Interviews offering a fresh perspective into lives and personalities of some of the most successful “Top Dogs” of Politics, Industry, Media, Sports, Entertainment and Technology through the eyes of their dogs.

Additional marketing initiatives incorporate Humane Societies and Pet Shelters nationwide with THE LUCKY DAY Campaign, connecting pet-friendly people with pet-friendly real estate to help reduce the number of pets surrendered to shelters due to residential pet restrictions or when relocating. In fact, caring for unwanted dogs is such a problem that California is considering making mandatory neutering and spaying of pets state law, punishable by a $500 fine. The state spends $300 million annually feeding, caring for and putting down approximately 500,000 unwanted animals.

So encouraging responsible pet ownership through advancing pet-friendly communities should not only please pet-lovers, but community bureaucracies, too.

And the best part is, you can be pet-friendly without putting yourself in the doghouse by violating any Fair Housing Laws. Pets are not a protected class. Yet.

Published: June 22, 2007

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.