Issue Date: April 2, 2005

Pets taking share of market

Direct home sales are going to the dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets.

The Avon lady and Tupperware and Pampered Chef consultants have new competition. A company specializing in the direct home sales of pet products, Shure Pets, has entered the market.

The 2-year-old company offers everything you ever wanted to buy for your pampered pet and then some. The product line includes shampoos, aromatherapy candles, breath drops, clothing and household items with animal motifs.

According to the company's Web site, party hosts are encouraged to invite animal lovers and their pets to their home parties.

That should make for some rather lively gatherings even if the dog and ferret owners are not guests at the same party.

With pet products in the United States generating about $35 billion a year in revenue, it probably won't be long before we see more direct marketing to this growing demographic.

It could soon make C.M. Coolidge's popular portraits of dogs playing cards, shooting pool or sitting in the bleachers at a ball game appear less absurd.