Even through tough economic times, the US pet industry continues to move forward, according to market research firm Packaged Facts in its new pet market report on US dog and cat owners.

According to a Packaged Facts survey of nearly 2,000 pet owners, three main factors are driving the US pet market: the burgeoning pet parenting phenomenon, the increase in pet ownership by the family-oriented and demographically potent Hispanic population, and the prevalence of pet ownership among affluent Americans.