February 2009
At $168.75 per square foot, this designer house is getting a lot of attention!

By Kathy Ellis

In a depressed housing market where average price per square foot is going for $100 or less, you’d have to be doggone mad to introduce a designer home.

Maybe, but this home is different:
• You won’t need a mortgage
• It’s eco-friendly
• It comes with a 100% money back guarantee
• And, you need to be 16 inches or shorter to enjoy this designer home

Houston-based Leifers introduces its line of pet home furnishings that is both art for your pet...and your home. They are specifically designed to compliment the home while providing comfort for your pet. They are highly engineered with a blend of landscape, fashion and architecture. Unlike other doghouses on the market, these are technically and functionally unique, they are eco-friendly and create an important emotional connection by combining one’s love for their home and their pet. *

Even in today’s economy, the pet industry remains strong with expenditures nearly doubling in the last eight years. Total pet expenditures grew from $22.9 billion in 2000 to an estimated $41.7 billion in 2008. It’s also a large market. About 63% of U.S. households own one pet, and two-thirds of those own more. As for dogs, 40% of American household own 75 million dogs. *

While the rate of growth is expected to slow, the amount spent in this industry is significant. Americans spend more on their pets than they spend on the movies ($10.8 billion), playing video games ($11.6 billion), and listening to recorded music ($10.6 billion) combined.

“Even in hard times, or maybe especially in hard times, people want to take care of and nurture their pets, but, they still don’t want ugly or silly things in their homes,” noted Karl Krieg, designer of the pet home retreats. “They want fashion, functionality, and innovation and this is what makes Leifers special.”

Currently, the company offers two dog and cat house designs — NeoClassic and Old Ruins — which combine architectural elements, high-end design and functionality to create a chic and eco-friendly pet abode; perfect anywhere from poolside to living room.

Additionally, with accessories and comfort items designed exclusively for their dog and cat houses, the Liefers line has expanded to include a top-of-the-line assortment of health and wellness products. Playfully named “Scratchy Butt,” these exclusive products are all natural and focus on promoting natural health vs. addressing quick fix symptoms.

For struggling retailers, the Liefier line opens up a whole new category called Pet Home Furnishing. Savvy retails will quickly see that focusing on their customer’s lifestyle is an approach that will work well in this economy. Because over half of their clients own a pet, it only makes sense to include this member of the family when making important home furnishing decisions.

“We know that our customer’s lap is the preferred spot for their pet, but the cave-like comfort designed into the Leifer pet home retreats runs a close second. It speaks to their natural burrowing instincts and creates a space where they feel safe and comfortable. It gives our clients peace of mind when they have to leave their pets alone,” says Kathy Ellis, president of Leifers.

About Lefers
Leifers — for the most loved pets in the world! Leifers is the possibility of love, health and nurturing in each and every day. Leifers offers a line of luxury pet furnishings and products designed to compliment your home as well as your pet. The company offers two designer dog and cat houses — NeoClassic and Old Ruins – that combine architectural elements, high-end design, and functionality to create a home accessory. Leifers also offers accessories and comfort items for their doghouses, as well as “Scratchy Butt” health and wellness products. A percentage of all Leifers’ profits are donated to the Houston Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) whose mission is to prevent the suffering and death of cats and dogs due to overpopulation. For more information, visit www.leifers.com or by email at kellis@leifers.com

* Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure
Surveys. *2007 and 2008 Estimates by Dillon Media LLC.