OpusComm Group Inc. Gay Lesbian,Diversity, Marketing,Advertising,Public Relations, Media

Syracuse, New York – June 16, 2003 – Cats or dogs, parrots, ferrets, or fish, pets hold an important place in the gay and lesbian community. Pet ownership is more than 10% more common among gay respondents than in the general population, a recent survey reveals.*
With 8,831 respondents, the 2002-2003 Gay/Lesbian Consumer Online Census is the largest and most comprehensive GLBT consumer study ever conducted. Prepared by GLCensus Partners (Syracuse University and OpusComm Group), the annual study fills the growing need among manufacturers and service providers for detailed information on consumer behavior and preferences of the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender (GLBT) community.
"Pets" is one of several areas of consumer interest examined by the census.

"Most gay people adopt a pet for the same reason anyone does—it’s fun, and makes your life incomparably richer," explains Amy Falkner of Syracuse University, lead researcher on the project. "Many people consider their pets as important family members."

Overall, 78.5% of respondents reported keeping a pet. The census surveyed owners of cats, dogs, birds, ferrets, fish, horses, rabbits, reptiles and rodents. Ownership was higher in females than in males, with 86.9% of female respondents having a pet, as opposed to 70.8% of male respondents. 5.1% of respondents don’t own a pet yet, but plan to within the next year.

The war between cats and dogs (and their owners) rages on. According to the survey, the winner is clear: Cats rule and dogs drool. 48.7% of respondents own at least one cat, compared to 46.4% who own at least one dog. Many respondents have multiple-cat households, so totals report almost 1,000 more cats owned by respondents than dogs. A higher percentage of female respondents are pet owners. A gender preference for cats or dogs is revealed, with cats are more popular among women--60.2% of female respondents own cats; 52.9% own dogs. The canines eke out a win over cats for men--40.7% of male respondents own dogs; 38.3% own cats.

The census, which concentrates on consumer information, finds that one-fifth of respondents who said they own a dog or cat spend between $300 and $432 a year on their pet.

"This new information is interesting not only to breeders and kennels, but to pet food manufacturers, veterinarians, hair cutters—anyone who works in the pet industry who wishes to court a significant market," according to Jeffrey Garber, president of OpusComm Group Inc., and founder of the GLCensus Partners’ study. "Even airlines, hotels, and apartment complexes are evaluating their policies on dogs and cats in light of the strong gay interest in pet ownership."

About a third of the dogs listed in the survey came from a breeder (33.7%) while 22.7% were adopted from an animal shelter. Of cats, 27.5% were strayed or injured and taken in while 24.9% were adopted from a shelter.

The new 2003-2004 Gay/Lesbian Consumer Online Census, completely expanded and revised, will be conducted July 7 to August 18, 2003. The census will look for significant new findings in the areas of GLBT demographics, media habits and the following consumer categories: Automotive, Childcare, Clothing & Related Accessories, Computer Equipment, Electronics, Entertainment, Financial, Food and Beverage, Home and Garden, Medical, Personal Care, Pets, Sports and Fitness, and Travel as they relate to the GBLT community. For more information, contact www.glcensus.org.

The Gay & Lesbian Consumer Online Census is an endeavor of the GLCensus Partners, a partnership between the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and advertising and public relations firm OpusComm Group, Inc., which specializes in consultation of sensitivity issues and market plan development for all types of advertisers to target the GLBT community.
For further information and to review a full summary of the 2001-2002 or 2002-2003 Gay & Lesbian Consumer Online Census, contact Jeffrey Garber, president of OpusComm Group at jeff@opuscommgroup.com (315) 636-2018 or visit www.glcensus.org. A detailed description of the Gay & Lesbian Consumer Online Census methodology can be viewed at http://www.glcensus.com/downloads/Why_Online_Surveys.htm

GLCensus Partners (www.glcensus.org) - The world leader in GLBT consumer research, includes:

- The S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University (www.syracuse.edu) - One of the world’s leading academic and research institutions in the field of communications.

- OpusComm Group (www.opuscommgroup.com) - Innovative Advertising, Marketing, Communication and Public Relations experts on the Gay/Lesbian market.



				FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeffrey S. Garber, president/ jeff@opuscommgroup.com OpusComm Group, Inc. 834 Oakwood Street Fayetteville, NY 13066 tel: (315) 637-2018 www.opuscommgroup.com Gays Own More Pets than the General Population Largest Gay Consumer Study Finds 78.5% of respondents own a pet One-fifth of respondents spend between $300 and $432 a year on pet products Syracuse, New York – June 16, 2003 – Cats or dogs, parrots, ferrets, or fish, pets hold an important place in the gay and lesbian community. Pet ownership is more than 10% more common among gay respondents than in the general population, a recent survey reveals.* With 8,831 respondents, the 2002-2003 Gay/Lesbian Consumer Online Census is the largest and most comprehensive GLBT consumer study ever conducted. Prepared by GLCensus Partners (Syracuse University and OpusComm Group), the annual study fills the growing need among manufacturers and service providers for detailed information on consumer behavior and preferences of the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender (GLBT) community. "Pets" is one of several areas of consumer interest examined by the census. "Most gay people adopt a pet for the same reason anyone does—it’s fun, and makes your life incomparably richer," explains Amy Falkner of Syracuse University, lead researcher on the project. "Many people consider their pets as important family members." Overall, 78.5% of respondents reported keeping a pet. The census surveyed owners of cats, dogs, birds, ferrets, fish, horses, rabbits, reptiles and rodents. Ownership was higher in females than in males, with 86.9% of female respondents having a pet, as opposed to 70.8% of male respondents. 5.1% of respondents don’t own a pet yet, but plan to within the next year. The war between cats and dogs (and their owners) rages on. According to the survey, the winner is clear: Cats rule and dogs drool. 48.7% of respondents own at least one cat, compared to 46.4% who own at least one dog. Many respondents have multiple-cat households, so totals report almost 1,000 more cats owned by respondents than dogs. A higher percentage of female respondents are pet owners. A gender preference for cats or dogs is revealed, with cats are more popular among women--60.2% of female respondents own cats; 52.9% own dogs. The canines eke out a win over cats for men--40.7% of male respondents own dogs; 38.3% own cats. The census, which concentrates on consumer information, finds that one-fifth of respondents who said they own a dog or cat spend between $300 and $432 a year on their pet. "This new information is interesting not only to breeders and kennels, but to pet food manufacturers, veterinarians, hair cutters—anyone who works in the pet industry who wishes to court a significant market," according to Jeffrey Garber, president of OpusComm Group Inc., and founder of the GLCensus Partners’ study. "Even airlines, hotels, and apartment complexes are evaluating their policies on dogs and cats in light of the strong gay interest in pet ownership." About a third of the dogs listed in the survey came from a breeder (33.7%) while 22.7% were adopted from an animal shelter. Of cats, 27.5% were strayed or injured and taken in while 24.9% were adopted from a shelter. The new 2003-2004 Gay/Lesbian Consumer Online Census, completely expanded and revised, will be conducted July 7 to August 18, 2003. The census will look for significant new findings in the areas of GLBT demographics, media habits and the following consumer categories: Automotive, Childcare, Clothing & Related Accessories, Computer Equipment, Electronics, Entertainment, Financial, Food and Beverage, Home and Garden, Medical, Personal Care, Pets, Sports and Fitness, and Travel as they relate to the GBLT community. For more information, contact www.glcensus.org. The Gay & Lesbian Consumer Online Census is an endeavor of the GLCensus Partners, a partnership between the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and advertising and public relations firm OpusComm Group, Inc., which specializes in consultation of sensitivity issues and market plan development for all types of advertisers to target the GLBT community. For further information and to review a full summary of the 2001-2002 or 2002-2003 Gay & Lesbian Consumer Online Census, contact Jeffrey Garber, president of OpusComm Group at jeff@opuscommgroup.com (315) 636-2018 or visit www.glcensus.org. A detailed description of the Gay & Lesbian Consumer Online Census methodology can be viewed at http://www.glcensus.com/downloads/Why_Online_Surveys.htm GLCensus Partners (www.glcensus.org) - The world leader in GLBT consumer research, includes: - The S.I. Newhouse School at Syracuse University (www.syracuse.edu) - One of the world’s leading academic and research institutions in the field of communications. - OpusComm Group (www.opuscommgroup.com) - Innovative Advertising, Marketing, Communication and Public Relations experts on the Gay/Lesbian market. * 62 percent, of households own a pet - Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association ### Contact: Jeffrey S. Garber, president/ jeff@opuscommgroup.com OpusComm Group, Inc. 834 Oakwood Street Fayetteville, NY 13066 tel: (315) 637-2018 www.opuscommgroup.com
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