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Maybe retailers should do a pet census in their marketing areas.

While the number of households that own pets has remained relatively constant since 1988, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) reports that some consumers are moving away from the

standard dog, cat or bird as a pet and toward more exotic animals.

In fact, according to the APPMA National Pet Owners Survey for 1997/1998, there has been a noticeable growth in ownership of both fresh water salt water fish in the current decade. Ownership of fresh water fish jumped 38 percent since 1990. At present, one in 10 households reports owning freshwater fish, while one in 100 owns saltwater fish.

APPMA statistics show that dogs are still the most common American pet. Between three and four of every 10 households report ownership of at least one dog. Cats follow closely in popularity, with about three in 10 households reporting ownership of at least one.

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