# 746 — Surviving the “Pupocalypse”: How Preservation Breeders Can Adapt and Thrive in a Slow Market

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/pure-dog-talk-808961/746-surviving-the-pupocalypse-how-preservation-breeders-can-adapt-and-thrive-in-a-slow-market
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/pure-dog-talk-808961/746-surviving-the-pupocalypse-how-preservation-breeders-can-adapt-and-thrive-in-a-slow-market.md
Podcast: [Pure Dog Talk](https://stenobird.com/podcast/pure-dog-talk-808961)
Published: 2026-07-06T16:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://puredogtalk.captivate.fm/episode/746-surviving-the-pupocalypse-how-preservation-breeders-can-adapt-and-thrive-in-a-slow-market
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/cdc02dd0-d81c-417c-b33a-d2d0ac3c036b.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/pure-dog-talk-808961/episodes/746-surviving-the-pupocalypse-how-preservation-breeders-can-adapt-and-thrive-in-a-slow-market
Duration seconds: 2855

## Resource

Surviving the "Pupocalypse": How Preservation Breeders Can Adapt and Thrive in a Slow Market Host Laura Reeves and Dr. Marty Greer dive deep into the sobering post-COVID "puppy bust" data, exploring how corporate veterinary pricing is pricing out everyday owners and sharing crucial survival strategies for both pet owners and preservation breeders. The post-COVID landscape has brought a dramatic shift to the canine world, colloquially dubbed the "pupocalypse" or "puppy bust." With new puppy veterinary visits down to just 62% of pre-COVID levels, the pet industry is facing a massive contraction. From skyrocketing veterinary costs driven by corporate consolidation to shifting economic realities for younger generations, pet ownership is at risk of becoming an exclusive privilege of the elite, reminiscent of the 1800s. Laura and Dr. Marty discuss how we got here, how to keep veterinary care affordable, the limits of telehealth for pets and how breeders need to change their own habits to survive this economic downturn. The Reality of the "Puppy Bust" The Shocking Data: New puppy vet visits have declined for four consecutive years, sitting at 40% lower than they were in 2019 . This baseline drop will affect veterinary canine visits for the lifetime of this generation of dogs. Contributing Factors: High inflation, a tough economy and the housing crisis are key drivers. Younger people are renting apartments rather than buying houses, leading many to opt for cats instead of dogs. The Silver Lining: Because the average canine lifespan is roughly 11 years, and millions of families obtained dogs simultaneously during the 2020–2021 COVID boom, Marty predicts a natural rebound in demand over the next few years as we reach the halfway mark of that cycle. Has the Veterinary Industry "K…

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