More homebound Americans got pets during the pandemic, and investors have taken note. Sixty-seven per cent of US households now own a pet, according to the 2019-20 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association. That's up from about 56 per cent 30 years ago. Looking to cash in on the trend, San Diego-based Petco this month filed for an IPO. The details remain under wraps, but last year's initial public offering by online pet supplies seller Chewy provides a drool-worthy comparison. Chewy's stock has quadrupled since its 2019 IPO. The stock of another pet supplies company, Freshpet, has more than doubled this year.