This is the BBC.

In this edition of The Bottom Line, we'll be looking at the business of pets.

How wisely is the £4.5 billion a year we spend on pets allocated?

Hello, welcome to the programme.

Now, here's a prediction.

Today's edition of the Bottom Line will get more attention and generate more discussion

than virtually any other of our programmes. Why? Because we're going to talk about pets and the

four and a half billion pounds a year we spend on servicing them. Now we know from YouTube that

animals have a special appeal and in a turbulent world they have a unique ability to lift our mood.

Pets are not a normal consumer good.

Even the notion of ownership of an animal is disputed.

In West Hollywood, the city's municipal code has removed references to pet owners,

instead using the phrase pet guardians.

But when we have a pet, we have clear obligations to it.

It's a very special kind of relationship. And we have a bond that can override normal,

rational decision-making too. Well, I have three guests who I'm sure will provide an insight

into the business of pets, from retailing to veterinary practice, to the insurance market.

And let's first talk to Lynne Hill, Chief Executive of the Linnaeus group of veterinary practices.

Struggle with that word, Lynne.

So you were originally a vet.

Yes, I was.

I was trained as a vet in Ireland and worked in small animal

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