Buying organic rabbit food, brushing your cat’s teeth, and sending your dog for hydrotherapy are no longer considered eccentricities. Pets are taking on human status, and they’re being treated accordingly. How can brands help enrich the lives of pet parents and their beloved fur babies?

Be it putting off marriage, hopping between different jobs, or waiting longer to buy a house, Gen Y are renowned for their reluctance to commit. Research has found that 44% of Gen Yers see their fur babies as a parenting test run for having kids in the future.

From donating money at the click of a button to buying into a brand because it supports a shared personal cause, the way people interact with charities is changing. What societal shifts are driving this? And what do companies and charities need to do to stay connected and current?

From taking #nomakeup selfies to signing petitions on political issues, a growing sense of social responsibility and commitment to local community have changed the way people view social action. Is caring about causes the new badge of cool? And has it become ‘chic’ to protest?