From apartment searches and office attendance to vacation bookings, pets are increasingly influencing where Americans go and what they spend.
MOORESVILLE, N.C., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pets are no longer influencing only household routines. They are shaping major decisions about housing, work, travel and spending, according to PetScreening’s newly released 2026 Pet Influence Report.
The findings show just how central pets have become in Americans’ lives. Nearly all pet owners surveyed (97%) say owning a pet improves their mental health, while 88% say their pet has helped them build friendships or social connections.
That influence begins at home.
Sixty-nine percent of pet-owning renters say pet-related benefits shaped their most recent apartment search. Among renters under 30, the figure reaches 76%.
Renters are also willing to pay for a better experience. Eighty-five percent say they would pay a fee for premium pet amenities such as fenced yards, lost-pet services and pet waste stations. Fifty-eight percent would pay at least $25 more per month.
At the same time, renters want clear expectations. Sixty-nine percent say requiring vaccination records and behavior history is reasonable, while 69% believe tracking pet behavior history is important. Even residents without pets are paying attention: 58% of non-pet owners say they feel more comfortable in communities where all pets are documented.
“Pets are becoming an important part of the customer journey across housing, work and travel,” said John Bradford, CEO of PetScreening. “Businesses have an opportunity to respond with experiences that welcome pets while maintaining the structure and accountability people expect.”
Pets could also influence the return to the office. More than half of pet owners (54%) say they would visit their workplace more often if pets were allowed. Among employees ages 18 to 44, that number climbs to 76%.
Travel decisions are shifting too.
Nearly two-thirds of pet owners (64%) say their pet is likely to shape their travel plans. Pet accommodation challenges have led them to avoid trips, shorten their stays, change transportation or cancel travel altogether.
Those challenges also affect where people book. Fifty-five percent of pet owners have chosen one hotel over another because of their pet, and 48% have selected a vacation rental instead of a hotel. Sixty-seven percent would pay at least $25 more per night for a pet-welcoming vacation rental.
The influence carries directly into consumer spending. Eighty-one percent of pet owners are willing to spend more on products and services that better accommodate their pets, while 51% say businesses that accommodate pets earn greater loyalty.
The takeaway is clear: pet inclusivity increasingly influences where consumers live, work, travel and spend. For businesses, meeting those expectations with welcoming experiences and consistent policies can create meaningful opportunities to build trust and loyalty.
About the Study
PetScreening’s 2026 Pet Influence Study examines the relationship between pet ownership and consumer behavior through surveys conducted in the first and second quarters of 2026. The study includes responses from 6,052 current pet owners, past pet owners, and non-pet owners living in pet-friendly housing communities across the United States. A separate travel-focused survey, conducted by Veridata Insights, gathered responses from 1,000 U.S. pet owners ages 18 and older. The complete report is available here.
About PetScreening
PetScreening is the leading pet policy management and compliance platform, helping property managers, operators and asset owners manage their pet and assistance animal policies with greater consistency, transparency and accountability. Across the long-term rental housing and vacation rental industries, PetScreening standardizes pet-related workflows, helps reduce operational risk and creates better experiences for residents, guests and property teams. Through its technology, education and community initiatives, the company advances responsible pet ownership and helps create more pet-inclusive communities. Learn more at petscreening.com.
Media Contact
Emily Green
Marketing Communications and PR Manager, PetScreening
media@petscreening.com
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SOURCE PetScreening
