New Research Shows Having a Pet is Hairy Situation

But Some Let Fur Fly Because Love Outweighs Cleanup Concerns

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- American homes are covered in pet
hair, and pet parents are purrfectly content with that, according to a new
survey released today by BISSELL Homecare, Inc. Across the country, cat and
dog owners are finding fur in plenty of places, which is not surprising given
that half (50 percent) of owners give their pets the run of the house,
allowing cats and dogs on any furniture, all the time.

Some let the fur fly as the price of unconditional love: nearly six in 10 (57
percent) pet owners say their four-legged companions are more likely than a
significant other to give them a kiss as soon as they walk in the door, and
more than four in five (86 percent) don't mind their home being less pristine
or having to work harder to keep their place clean because they have a cat or
dog. But others let cleanup qualms get in the way of having a pet: almost two
in five (38 percent) Americans, whether they currently own a pet or not, would
add a pet to their home if cleaning up after them were an easy job.

"This research quantifies how much Americans love their pets," says pet
lifestyle expert Kristen Levine. "Unfortunately, the research also reiterates
that although pet clean-up doesn't detract from the relationship between pet
and owner, it can be a major factor in deterring would-be pet parents from
adopting. Imagine how many animals could find happy homes if people understood
how simple, quick and cost-effective clean-up can be!"

Flipping Over Couch Cushions
Pet hair tops the list of most difficult pet messes to rid from the home
(beating potty mishaps and vomit stains), and more than three in five (62
percent) Americans with a cat or dog would give up a small luxury, like their
favorite morning beverage or cell phone service for a month, for their pet
never to shed again. What's more, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) would
like a magic wand to either remove pet stains from their carpet or pet hair or
odor from their homes.

So what are Americans doing to address their furstrations? About half (51
percent) of dog and cat owners admit to using a "quick fix" like an air
freshener or candle to hide odors, throwing away a rug the pet had an accident
on instead of trying to clean it, or flipping over couch or chair cushions to
hide fur.

A Better Approach
Levine has some saner solutions and has teamed up with BISSELL to educate
Americans about how simple pet clean-up can be. Some tips:

-- Brush your cat or dog regularly to keep shedding to a minimum. Dogs
can
be trimmed during summer months, when they tend to shed more, but
don't trim the hair too short or your pet could get sunburned. To
tackle pet hair in the home, try the Pet Hair Eraser(R) Vacuum
($169.99), which provides superior suction and specially designed
brushes for removing pet hair, pet dander and dirt from carpets,
upholstery and more. Or for quick clean up; try the Pet Hair Broom
($24.99) with adjustable rubber bristles that attract pet hair like a
magnet.
-- Attend to potty accidents pronto, especially if you have a cat because
cat urine is actually more concentrated - and likely to stain - than
dog
urine. Absorb as much of the moisture as possible with old towels -
being careful to blot instead of rub - before applying a carpet
solution. If accidents are common, consider purchasing a SpotBot(R)
Pet
($139.99), which is a compact, portable carpet deep cleaner that gives
pet owners the freedom to walk away from messes while it does all the
work.

-- To minimize tracked dirt, quickly rub down dogs with a towel after
walks, making sure to include their paws. This step is especially
important for rainy days when mud, water and who-knows-what-else
easily
clings to fur. For those times when mud somehow ends up in the house
anyway, look for the new foaming Pet Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
($5.49) from BISSELL's upcoming Pet Inspired(TM) line.

To check out a full line of products for pet lovers and to review BISSELL's
new research, which examines the roles pets play in home culture as well as
how Americans feel about pet adoption, visit www.bissell.com. BISSELL is a
Petfinder.com partner and generously supports other causes to help protect
dogs, cats and other pets nationwide.

*Methodological Notes
The research was conducted by Kelton Research between May 21st and May 27th,
2009 using an e-mail invitation and an online survey. Quotas are set to ensure
reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population ages 18 and
over. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude
of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and
the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study,
the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus,
by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if
interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by
the sample.

About BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
A 133-year-old company, Grand Rapids-based BISSELL Homecare, Inc., is a
floor-care innovator and international manufacturer of home-cleaning products,
including sweepers, vacuums, deep-cleaning machines and cleaning formulas sold
at retail locations worldwide. The company, in its fourth generation of family
leadership, is the leading floor care appliance brand in North America.

SOURCE BISSELL Homecare, Inc.

Beth Jester, +1-616-791-1572