Mars, Incorporated, a global leader in pet care products and services, is expanding its BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program around the world—helping more cities become pet-friendly and making it easier for people to enjoy life with their pets.
The expanded program invests more than $1 million focused on increasing access to more green spaces and pet-friendly places, aiming to benefit 10 million people and pets around the world by 2030. This global initiative is powered by a strategic partnership with C40 Cities, one of the world’s largest networks of mayors focused on climate action. In addition, Mars is expanding its partnership with Tripadvisor to help connect people with more pet-friendly places to make travel easier.
Since 2017, BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ has supported cities, focusing on key features pet parents need and want in their community. Through its expanded global focus, Mars is putting pet parents at the heart of urban life, fostering vibrant, pet-friendly cities that are not only kinder to the planet but also uplift thriving pet-friendly businesses in communities around the world.
The benefits of owning a pet are undeniable. Globally, 83% of pet parents say their pet has had a positive impact on their mental well-being[1], and more than half (54%) say their pet has improved their social life—sparking conversations, connections, and even new friendships. Pets play a powerful role in strengthening community bonds and enhancing city life.
Ikdeep Singh, global president of Mars Pet Nutrition, comments: “With the urban pet population set to rise by almost 10% by 2030, Mars is more committed than ever to improving city living for millions of pets and pet parents around the world. Giving pet parents a voice in how our cities are designed for the future won’t just benefit our pets – it will contribute to healthier communities and a better planet for all. Because a better city for pets is a better city for all.”More pet-friendly, resilient green spaces:
Together with C40 Cities, the BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program has the ambition to drive a global movement toward pet-friendly, climate-resilient cities designed for future generations.
At the heart of this partnership is the launch a first-of-its-kind Urban Nature Playbook for People, Pets and the Planet. Designed to inspire and equip city leaders, the playbook offers practical guidance for greener urban spaces—from tree-lined sidewalks to parks and public squares—that support biodiversity, improve mental and physical health, and strengthen climate resilience. Mars and C40 Cities will work hand-in-hand with cities, starting in London, Los Angeles, São Paulo, Bengaluru, and Bangkok, to bring the playbook to life through local initiatives that enhance green spaces for pets, people, and the planet.
Mark Watts, executive director of C40 Cities, comments: “Green space in cities is vital to ensuring people’s well-being. Places to walk, relax in and enjoy are critical. They’re also vitally important in the face of increasing climate disasters like flooding. This partnership with Mars will accelerate support to cities to build resilience and improve access to green space for people and their pets. Our Urban Nature Playbook for People, Pets and the Planet provides tangible actions for cities to design people and pet-friendly urban environments.”
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and Co-Chair of C40 Cities, said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy safe, green spaces – including with our pets. London is proud to be one of Europe’s most pet-friendly cities, where people and their pets can relax and enjoy a healthy, green environment. I’m happy to support this funding to keep making life better for both people and their pets here in London, and to help other cities do the same.”
More pet-friendly places:
11% of global urban pet parents feel owning a dog limits where they can go[2], highlighting the need for more pet-friendly places in cities. After a successful pilot in the U.S., Mars is also expanding its Tripadvisor and CESAR® partnership to the UK and Italy, and with MY DOG® in Australia, encouraging more pet-friendly businesses across the globe. This builds on the 5,000 new pet-friendly places identified on Tripadvisor in the past year.
