Animal-companion extremes and underlying consumer themes

Mosteller, Jill

doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2007.07.004

Cited by 45 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…At least half of the caretakers stated that people around them sometimes distanced themselves due to the caretakers' occupation with the cats. Previous studies exploring the influence of pet caretaking on the relationships that caretakers have with others have offered conflicting findings (Centonze and Levy 2002;Mosteller 2008). While Mosteller (2008) noted that, under certain circumstances, friends or family of the pet caretakers may distance themselves due to the caretaker's occupation with the cats, Centonze and Levy (2002) indicated that most of the caretakers in their study had a strong support system from their friends or family for their caretaking activities.…”

Section: Friends and Familymentioning

confidence: 92%

Dichotomy in the Emotional Approaches of Caretakers of Free-Roaming Cats in Urban Feeding Groups: Findings from In-Depth Interviews

Finkler

Terkel

2011

Anthrozoös

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Although the occurrence of cat-caretaking of free-roaming cats is widespread, particularly so in countries with a climate suitable for cats to reproduce year-round, our knowledge of this relationship is still incomplete. People who engage in daily activities of feeding and caring for groups of free-roaming cats (cat caretakers) are known to be devoted to their cats and invest considerable resources in their care, including neutering and veterinary care. These caretakers often encounter difficulties, such as resentment by neighbors and lack of cooperation or financing by the municipal veterinary services. Despite the fundamental understanding of these caretakers' high daily commitment, and sometimes strong bond with the cats, detailed knowledge is still lacking regarding the nature of this bond, the difficulties that ensue from this daily occupation, and the relationship between the two. The purpose of this study was thus to acquire a deeper understanding, by means of an in-depth interview with cat caretakers. The study has identified, for the first time, two distinct emotional approaches that accompany extensive caretaking for free-roaming cats: emotional attachment and emotional detachment. We show how these two different responses affect both social and financial aspects in the caretakers' lives, and report on the ways in which these individuals experience cat caretaking. Our findings provide a first systematic understanding of the relationship between the level of technical caretaking (feeding, medical care, etc.) and the level of emotional involvement, and reveal the ambivalence often inherent in human-animal relations in general and the caretakercat bond in particular. The understanding acquired here can be put into practice to reduce the emotional and technical difficulties experienced by cat caretakers, as well as to improve free-roaming cat management efforts and cat welfare. By increasing public and municipal awareness of the possible contribution of cat caretakers to cat management, and of the emotional and technical difficulties they experience, both the caretakers and other community members can benefit. 203Anthrozoös

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Section: Friends and Familymentioning

confidence: 92%

Dichotomy in the Emotional Approaches of Caretakers of Free-Roaming Cats in Urban Feeding Groups: Findings from In-Depth Interviews

Finkler

Terkel

2011

Anthrozoös

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“…Hirschman (1994) suggests we delight in animals because they can live according to their desires -they can rage, engage in gluttony, sexual promiscuity, and other primeval instincts. Belk, Ger, and Askegaard (2003, p. 338) equate human animality with a pre-cultural force, potentially representing our untamed side (Mosteller, 2008 Are Furries seeking emancipation from market-based culture? Or are Furries using animal identities as symbolic resources (Spiggle, 2008) in order to further other, market-based identity goals?…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unleashing the animal within: Exploring consumers’ zoomorphic identity motives

Healy

Beverland

2013

Journal of Marketing Management

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Through netnographic inquiry, we explore the practice of zoomorphism by one group of 'anthromorphs' -Furries. We identify three interconnected narratives (escape, healing, and power) that members of the Furry subculture deploy to make sense of the world. Exploring these narratives further, we identify why these consumers are drawn to zoomorphism as a means of self-authentication. Building on this, we also identify two ways (constructing a fursuit and engaging in ritualised animalistic behaviour) in which Furries reinforce their communal status through authoritative performances that involves 'giving oneself to the animal spirit'. To our knowledge, this study represents the first examination of Furry consumer culture, and contributes to our understanding of human-animal relations through insights for anthropomorphism, zoomorphism, and the extended self. Specifically, we identify that Furries draw on an anthropomorphised animal spirit to heal feelings of disconnection with the postmodern world. In contrast to studies on anthropomorphism, consumers draw on animal spirits to define their internal sense of self and operate more effectively within the world.

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“…10,11,13,14,16 Furthermore, according to these scholars, this relationship is affected by both the owner ' s perceptions and the pet ' s characteristics. By considering the work on pet ' s roles in conjunction with the fi ndings of anthrozoologists, three dimensions of pet ownership have surfaced: attachment, interaction and the role of the pet as a human substitute.…”

Section: Dimensions Of Pet Ownershipmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To explore these questions, this study develops its framework by focusing on the human -pet relationship ' s impact on an owner ' s consumption values, information search methods and retail selection preferences. 9,14,25 Both qualitative and quantitative studies are carried out to segment owners through the use of multiple pet-related services. This act is followed by the analysis and presentation of each cluster ' s characteristics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cluster analysis examination of pet owners’ consumption values and behavior – segmenting owners strategically

Chen¹,

Hung²,

Peng

2012

J Target Meas Anal Mark

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The industry of pet-related products and services has increased 10 times since the late 1990s, yet little is known about how pet owners consume pet-related services, let alone how best to segment owners into distinctive groups and market petrelated products to them strategically. To examine the segments within this market, this study forms its framework by incorporating factors from human -pet relationships, consumption values, information search behaviors and retail selection preferences. The main study included 578 Taiwanese pet owners. By using pet-related services, this research identifi ed three segments of pet owners through cluster analysis. With this study ' s fi ndings, the owners ' characteristics are elaborated with potential strategic implications for the service industry. The contributions of this research ' s fi ndings are discussed in light of recent consumer studies literature.

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Animal-companion extremes and underlying consumer themes

Cited by 45 publications

References 17 publications

Dichotomy in the Emotional Approaches of Caretakers of Free-Roaming Cats in Urban Feeding Groups: Findings from In-Depth Interviews

Dichotomy in the Emotional Approaches of Caretakers of Free-Roaming Cats in Urban Feeding Groups: Findings from In-Depth Interviews

Unleashing the animal within: Exploring consumers’ zoomorphic identity motives

A cluster analysis examination of pet owners’ consumption values and behavior – segmenting owners strategically

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