Custom Pet Portraits Boom as Owners Memorialize Companions

The custom pet portrait market is surging, driven by emotional attachment and increased pet ownership. The broader custom pet products market, valued at $7.15 billion in 2025, is projected to reach $12.34 billion by 2033, per Grand View Research. Artists report rising demand and prices. Cy Hundley, a Boulder-based artist with 35 years of experience, charges $430 for a 9x12-inch charcoal portrait and $1,350 for an 11x14-inch acrylic. Tony Corbitt Jr., a Sarasota artist with prices from $300 to $2,500, notes steady business and many repeat clients. Michele Sobel, founder of Michele Sobel Fine Art in New Jersey, creates wearable pet portraits on items like Hermes bags, charging $200 to over $1,000. Ben Lenovitz built a thriving business as the in-house pet portrait artist at Fishs Eddy in New York City. Dog trainer Chris Loverseed of Melbourne commissioned portraits of his late dogs Koda and Storm, saying the paintings keep them present. A 2026 Forbes report shows 66% of U.S. households own a pet, with Gen Z most likely to spoil them. The trend reflects a lonelier society, according to trainer Ali Smith of Rebarkable. Pet portraits serve as interior design and identity statements, offering a tangible memorial unlike digital photos.