Pets First Group Monthly Pet Report March 2026

Pets First Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Haruhiko Sakamoto), which upholds the philosophy of “Pets always come first,” reports key distribution process indicators for its directly managed pet shops “P’s-first” for March 2026.

Report on Key Figures in the Distribution Process for March 2026

【Regarding Transactions with Contract Breeders】 P’s-first directly managed stores conduct direct transactions with reliable contract breeders nationwide, without going through third parties such as auctions. From March 1 to March 31, 2026, the Pets First Group handled 2,063 pets, meaning pets received from contract breeders, of which 76.7% were dogs and 23.3% were cats. Furthermore, the pets received in March were transacted with 294 contract breeders.

In order to protect the mental and physical health of pets and to address the issue of age misrepresentation in the pet industry, P’s-first announced in its April 2024 newsletter that it would gradually raise the transaction age of pets handled at its directly managed stores from the legally mandated 57 days old or older to 60 days old or older. *1

In March, the percentage of pets 60 days old or older was 100%, meaning all pets transacted with contract breeders were 60 days old or older.

*1: News Release issued on April 23, 2024 Our thoughts on the 8-week-old (56-day-old) regulation for pet sales ~ Announcement regarding the raising of transaction standards to 60 days old~

【Regarding Pet Sales at Shops】 P’s-first directly managed stores sold 1,791 pets in March, with 74.3% being dogs and 25.7% cats. The average age at the time of sale was 103 days old, and the average period from arrival at the store until being welcomed by a customer was 41 days.

Furthermore, to prevent impulse purchases of pets and promote responsible lifelong ownership, in addition to thoroughly explaining to customers during daily interactions, all customers who welcome a pet at P’s-first directly managed stores are asked to attend a “Pre-adoption Seminar.” *2 Out of 1,792 groups who attended the seminar, 1,791 groups (99.94%) signed a pet contract, while 1 group (0.06%) decided not to proceed with the contract.

The Pre-adoption Seminar can be viewed here.

*2: News Release issued on March 26, 2025 Pets First conducts “Pre-adoption Seminars” for customers before purchasing a pet. ~To curb impulse pet purchases and promote responsible lifelong ownership~

【Regarding Rehoming / Pets at Pet Care & Adoption Center Nikko】 P’s-first directly managed stores identify diseases before sale and provide treatment. Pets that require continuous care or examination are designated as “care-needed pets” and are sought for adoption at P’s-first stores or at our group’s care facility, “Pet Care & Adoption Center Nikko.”

In March 2026, 15 care-needed pets from P’s-first stores and 2 from Pet Care & Adoption Center Nikko were rehomed to adoptive families. Additionally, 3 pets were transferred to domestic veterinary universities for care prior to rehoming. (Details will be released separately.)

As of the end of March, 46 pets were living at the Pet Care & Adoption Center Nikko, with 43 primarily having completed treatment or being in recovery and seeking adoptive families. Two pets are awaiting recruitment during the grace period for the rehoming agency service, and one pet is planned for lifelong care. *3

*3: Details on pets currently seeking adoption can be found here: https://nikko.pfirst.jp/contents/adoption_available/

【Regarding Cancellations】 In March, 7 contracts were cancelled. Pets returned are taken responsibility for by the company, which seeks the best families for their future. Of the returned pets, 3 have already been welcomed by new families. One was returned to a contract breeder. Three are currently seeking new families at the stores.

【Regarding Fatalities】 Despite treatment at our medical center or Pets First Animal Hospital for diseases or conditions, unfortunately, there were 6 fatalities, and 2 fatalities occurred at stores.

The two pets that passed away at stores both received immediate veterinary care at affiliated animal hospitals after showing signs of illness, but unfortunately, their condition rapidly deteriorated, and they passed away during hospitalization and treatment.

We will continue to strengthen early detection of pet health issues and enhance coordination with animal hospital staff.