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Pet Overpopulation: An Economic Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Coate, Stephen

    (Cornell University)

  • Knight, Brian

    (Brown University)

Abstract

This paper considers the problem of pet overpopulation. It develops a tractable dynamic model whose positive predictions square well with key features of the current U.S. market for pets. The model is used to understand, from a welfare economic perspective, the sense in which there is "overpopulation" of pets and the underlying causes of the problem. The paper also employs the model to consider what policies might be implemented to deal with the problem. A calibrated example is developed to illustrate these corrective policies and quantify the welfare gains they produce.

Suggested Citation

  • Coate, Stephen & Knight, Brian, 2009. "Pet Overpopulation: An Economic Analysis," Working Papers 09-10, Cornell University, Center for Analytic Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:corcae:09-10
    as

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    File URL: https://cae.economics.cornell.edu/09-10.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Schwarz Peter M & Troyer Jennifer L & Walker Jennifer Beck, 2007. "Animal House: Economics of Pets and the Household," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 7(1), pages 1-27, July.
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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Dealing with pet overpopulation
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2009-10-21 19:41:00

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    1. Hestermann, Nina & Le Yaouanq, Yves & Treich, Nicolas, 2020. "An economic model of the meat paradox," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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