Royal Mail is celebrating the UK’s love of pets with a new set of 10 special stamps featuring some of the nation’s most popular domestic animals
The collection, which goes on general sale tomorrow (20th August), features a rabbit, goldfish, hamster, tortoise, budgie, rat, cockatiel, dog, cat and guinea pig.
The launch offers an obvious point of interest for the greetings and stationery sector, where pets continue to provide a rich source of inspiration for cards, gift products and seasonal collections.
Celebrating Britain’s animal companions
The stamps have been designed to capture the character and charm of pets that bring companionship, comfort and joy to millions of households.
The collection reflects the variety of animals kept as pets in the UK, from dogs and cats to birds, small mammals, reptiles and fish.
Royal Mail estimates that around 60% of UK households own a domestic pet, with dogs the most popular, followed by cats.
A natural fit for greetings and gifting
The collection highlights the enduring appeal of animals as a theme across consumer products.
For greetings retailers, pets represent a particularly versatile category, working across birthday, thank-you, friendship, sympathy and seasonal cards, as well as gifts and stationery.
The new stamps also demonstrate how familiar, emotionally engaging subjects can be used to create collectible products with broad consumer appeal.
David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy at Royal Mail, said the issue celebrates the animals that have become important members of British households.
“Pets hold a special place in many British people’s homes and hearts,” he said. “This new stamp issue celebrates the animals that bring comfort, joy and companionship to millions of people across the UK.”
Expert insight
Royal Mail worked with animal expert Tamsin Pickeral on the collection. Pickeral is the author of several books exploring animals and their place in art and culture, including The Invention of the Dog and The Beauty Of The Cat: An Illustrated History.
She said pets were important not only for the comfort and joy they provide but also for their cultural significance and the long history of humans living alongside animals.
The 10-stamp collection is available as part of a wider range of collectible products. A Presentation Pack containing all 10 stamps is priced at £14.45.
