Posted by: Richie Bernardo

To many of us, pets are family — only furrier, slimier and sometimes cuddlier than our human relatives. Naturally the nearly 85 million pet parents in the U.S. today seek out the places where their beloved companions can enjoy the highest standard of living — hopefully at the most reasonable cost.

Years ago, pet owners had access to only a handful of businesses offering animal services and supplies. Petco and PetSmart were among the biggest names. But new pet businesses are cropping up every day to fill the demand of this growing breed of consumers. Today, we spoil our pets with all kinds of luxuries, such as gourmet pet cuisine, upscale hotel accommodations and even pet “dating” services.

But adding an animal to the family roster can be hard on the wallet. A long list of expenses that include licenses, grooming and medical care can cost between $227 to more than $2,000 annually, depending on the type of animal. Health insurance alone can exceed $200 per year for a dog, and it may not even be worth it. And if you rent an apartment with an animal, you can expect to pay hundreds, if not thousands, more for a pet deposit, fee and rent.

With pet parents in mind, WalletHub’s number crunchers compared the creature-friendliness of the 100 largest U.S. cities across 21 key metrics. Our data set ranges from minimum pet-care provider rate per visit to pet businesses per capita to walkability. Scroll down for the winners, expert pet advice and a full description of our methodology.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/5562/geochart-petlovers.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2vApHiG;  

Most Pet-Friendly Cities

Overall Rank*	City	Overall Score	‘Pet Budget’ Rank	‘Pet Health & Wellness’ Rank	‘Outdoor Pet-Friendliness’ Rank
1	Scottsdale, AZ	65.93	80	1	2
2	Phoenix, AZ	63.54	12	6	10
3	Tampa, FL	61.48	10	9	19
4	San Diego, CA	60.56	85	2	6
5	Orlando, FL	59.81	27	4	47
6	Birmingham, AL	59.37	3	21	50
7	Austin, TX	58.26	43	3	54
8	Cincinnati, OH	57.19	13	27	28
9	Atlanta, GA	56.73	24	5	75
10	Las Vegas, NV	56.73	63	15	9
11	Oklahoma City, OK	56.13	1	33	77
12	Plano, TX	56.09	58	8	27
13	St. Petersburg, FL	55.91	21	34	23
14	Colorado Springs, CO	55.51	56	19	21
15	Sacramento, CA	54.95	66	20	18
16	Tucson, AZ	54.47	16	31	42
17	St. Louis, MO	54.37	18	36	36
18	Gilbert, AZ	54.22	41	11	65
19	San Antonio, TX	53.74	8	38	64
20	Miami, FL	53.65	33	12	72
21	Seattle, WA	53.28	88	14	17
22	Denver, CO	53.25	77	7	53
23	Albuquerque, NM	53.04	14	86	13
24	Bakersfield, CA	52.80	22	57	32
25	Henderson, NV	52.80	34	77	5
26	Portland, OR	52.78	94	10	7
27	Los Angeles, CA	52.65	96	13	4
28	North Las Vegas, NV	52.52	31	66	22
29	Columbus, OH	52.26	4	64	57
30	Tulsa, OK	51.36	15	42	74
31	San Francisco, CA	50.97	99	16	1
32	Fremont, CA	50.90	82	45	12
33	Glendale, AZ	50.87	53	26	56
34	Omaha, NE	50.47	17	54	66
35	Dallas, TX	50.44	84	18	41
36	Fort Worth, TX	50.43	50	28	69
37	Long Beach, CA	50.41	86	43	11
38	Irvine, CA	50.31	97	29	3
39	Houston, TX	50.03	52	25	71
40	Chicago, IL	49.97	83	17	52
41	Greensboro, NC	49.91	5	48	73
42	Chandler, AZ	49.83	64	24	63
43	Corpus Christi, TX	49.78	9	72	85
44	Arlington, TX	49.76	38	52	59
45	Garland, TX	49.26	47	51	60
46	St. Paul, MN	49.05	40	75	35
47	Pittsburgh, PA	48.97	45	82	26
48	San Jose, CA	48.94	44	70	25
49	Lexington-Fayette, KY	48.93	32	41	93
50	Raleigh, NC	48.92	42	30	84
51	Boise, ID	48.75	49	78	31
52	Nashville, TN	48.59	70	23	79
53	Indianapolis, IN	48.31	20	35	96
54	Mesa, AZ	48.30	69	37	70
55	Chesapeake, VA	48.28	72	67	24
56	Jacksonville, FL	48.21	55	32	86
57	Madison, WI	48.11	67	73	30
58	Memphis, TN	47.97	25	40	98
59	Kansas City, MO	47.71	19	80	62
60	Minneapolis, MN	47.65	74	55	44
61	Virginia Beach, VA	47.65	57	47	83
62	Riverside, CA	47.61	75	63	29
63	Stockton, CA	47.49	39	87	38
64	Fresno, CA	47.46	28	69	48
65	Lincoln, NE	47.44	23	81	61
66	Anaheim, CA	47.40	93	22	39
67	Chula Vista, CA	47.23	81	56	40
68	Oakland, CA	46.85	89	53	33
69	Irving, TX	46.57	47	60	89
70	Winston-Salem, NC	46.51	30	71	91
71	Durham, NC	46.26	29	65	90
72	Aurora, CO	46.25	62	49	82
73	Wichita, KS	46.02	36	50	99
74	New Orleans, LA	45.96	68	74	51
75	Hialeah, FL	45.62	71	61	68
76	Toledo, OH	45.55	6	91	58
77	Louisville, KY	45.47	35	58	94
78	Fort Wayne, IN	45.45	2	83	100
79	El Paso, TX	45.28	37	94	43
80	Washington, DC	45.20	95	59	16
81	Baton Rouge, LA	45.12	51	44	95
82	Lubbock, TX	45.04	26	89	87
83	San Bernardino, CA	44.77	61	93	15
84	Laredo, TX	44.66	6	95	67
85	Cleveland, OH	44.56	46	79	78
86	Reno, NV	43.99	79	68	76
87	Jersey City, NJ	43.73	92	85	14
88	Detroit, MI	43.44	54	84	80
89	Norfolk, VA	43.43	72	88	46
90	Milwaukee, WI	43.20	11	97	81
91	Charlotte, NC	42.86	78	46	97
92	Anchorage, AK	42.21	87	96	20
93	Philadelphia, PA	41.58	90	90	37
94	Buffalo, NY	41.36	60	92	88
95	Santa Ana, CA	41.34	91	76	55
96	Boston, MA	41.29	59	98	45
97	New York, NY	41.29	100	62	8
98	Honolulu, HI	39.69	76	100	34
99	Baltimore, MD	39.40	65	99	49
100	Newark, NJ	38.89	98	39	92

*No. 1 = Most Pet-Friendly  

Ask the Experts

For the right reasons, pet ownership can be a personally fulfilling endeavor. But it also can invite unforeseen challenges, especially of the financial variety. For advice to aspiring pet owners, we asked a panel of experts to weigh in with their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank?
2. In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top five indicators?
3. What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it?
4. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly?

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• Thomas G. Kelch Professor of Law in the Whittier Law School
• Raelynn Farnsworth Clinical Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University
• Nancy Dreschel Instructor in Small Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University
• Lisa Moses Veterinarian in Pain and Palliative Care at the Angell Animal Medical Center, Research Fellow in Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, and Chair of the Animal Ethics Study Group at Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics
• Kelly Oliver W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University
• Karen Bradshaw Associate Professor in the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and Senior Sustainability Scientist in the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University
• Joseph Taboada Associate Dean for Veterinary Education and Student Affairs and Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University
• Inder Sehgal Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences at California Health Sciences University
• Diane Sullivan Assistant Dean and Professor of Law in the Massachusetts School of Law
• Diane P. Michelfelder Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Macalester College

Thomas G. Kelch Professor of Law in the Whittier Law School What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank?

• Do not obtain animals from pet stores or breeders. It is cheaper and more ethical to get them from animal shelters and rescue organizations. According to the ASPCA, 6.5 million companion animals are euthanized each year in shelters. In addition to saving money, getting pets from shelters and rescue organizations saves lives. For those who want a dog or cat of a particular breed, there are breed-specific rescues throughout the country. It should also be mentioned that dogs acquired from breeders, pet shops or puppy mills are frequently less healthy (due to overbreeding and poor living conditions), and end up costing more in medical expenses -- if they survive. One excellent rescue organization, for instance, is Live Love Rescue in Long Beach, California, an organization I foster dogs for and help as a volunteer. There are larger groups such as Best Friends Animal Society.

• Take advantage of low-cost vaccine clinics, free spay/neuter services where available, and low-cost dog socialization groups to educate yourself and ensure that you don't nurture bad habits, which can result in hefty training bills down the road.

• Purchasing inexpensive food for pets will cost money in the long run, by contributing to health problems that will lead you and your pet to the veterinarian. Consult with a veterinarian about the best food for your pet. There are also many online sites that discuss various food choices and diets for animals, but be sure the site is editorial and not an advertisement.

• Buy pet supplies online, not at pet supply stores. There are a number of online pet supply vendors with prices below those of stores, and you will also get the convenience of home delivery, thus avoiding transporting and carrying heavy pet supply items. Many of them offer free shipping and quick delivery times. “Chewy” is the one I use because of the aforementioned benefits.

What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it? This depends on your circumstance and the age and overall health of your pet. My experience with pet insurance is largely anecdotal, since I never buy it for my companion animals. The pros are that insurance can cover many unexpected health problems, like accidents and illnesses. Unfortunately, many pets are euthanized because the guardian does not have sufficient funds to pay for a severe illness or injury. Insurance could be helpful in avoiding these results. On the other hand, these policies typically do not cover routine care for pets, have deductibles in varying amounts, do not cover pre-existing conditions and generally require payment by the guardian, who then submits a claim, so that even if your claim is allowed, it will take time for reimbursement. Also, note the pre-exiting condition issue -- once you discover a condition, you are not able to get new coverage for this condition. So if you are going to buy insurance, it is best to get it before any health problems crop up. In any event, if one is considering pet insurance, s/he should shop around and make sure to understand the details of what is covered, what the deductible is, and how claims are processed and paid. It is wise to consult your veterinarian on what insurance they accept and would recommend. My general view on insurance companies of all kinds is not a favorable one. They are interested in making money, which translates into denying claims whenever possible. If you feel that you are in the financial position to absorb a rare but large veterinary bill of say three thousand to five thousand dollars, I would take the gamble. If you cannot absorb this kind of bill, insurance is something to look into. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly?

• The first is ensuring that the local animal shelter is one that does not euthanize healthy, adoptable pets. Local shelters can accomplish these goals with low-cost spay and neuter programs, educational programs on the best way to raise a pet, including low-cost or free community based training programs, aggressive adoption and foster regimes, and cooperating with local rescue organizations. Responsible shelters of this kind are cropping up all over the country. Better yet are communities that do all of the above and have mandatory spay/neuter laws. Decreasing pet overpopulation makes any city a safer environment for people and pets.

• Cooperate with local organizations and individuals who care for feral cats by encouraging and permitting trap, neuter and release programs (TNR). Pursuing and practicing TNR will reduce the number of feral cats in a community.

• Encourage and incentivize property owners to allow pets in rental properties at reasonable deposits, and to provide amenities on their properties for pets and their guardians.

• Provide dog parks and/or dog beaches. These areas provide recreation for both pets and guardians, and are a place where pet owners learn from others about how to care for, socialize and train their pets.

• Sponsor or cooperate in events like dog walks that raise money for the pet community. These events are fun for the participants and can improve conditions for local pets.

In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators?

• What percentage of healthy animals in the local shelter are euthanized or not adopted, what percentage of pets are spayed or neutered, and what support exists for local rescue organizations and pet owners?

• What is the availability of quality, reasonably priced veterinary care, day care and other pet related services, including low-cost or no cost spay/neuter services?

• What is the availability of open space, and dog parks and beaches for dogs?

• Do local businesses (other than pet stores) accommodate pet owners and allow them to bring pets into their establishments? In California, we have many restaurants with outside patios with water bowls for dogs, and even dog items on some menus.

• Local climate: very cold or hot climates present problems for the health and well-being of pets, and owners should not expose their pets to extreme conditions. In extremely hot weather, long-haired dogs should be cropped. No matter the climate, cats should always be indoor cats; dangerous conditions for them outside the home are many. There are many options for installing safe outdoor cat windows, “catios,” if you want to give your cat some fresh air. In temperate climates, dogs can spend considerable time outdoors. A dog that is left outside when the owner is not home must have a safe yard with a secure fence to keep him/her from straying. It should also have a shaded area for summer and a warm bed for cool days. If it’s too hot or cold for you to stay outside all day, it’s too cold for your dog. Get a dog door in the kitchen or utility room, put down a dog bed, and let the dog come and go as s/he pleases when you’re away. Dog beds, water bowls, an umbrella for shade if you don’t have any trees, dog doors --none of these are particularly expensive, and will ensure your dog a safe time in your yard. And throw in some toys to keep him/her from being bored. Non-rawhide chews (rawhide can cause problems), hard rubber balls. Have fun shopping!

Raelynn Farnsworth Clinical Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? Do your research. Do not get breeds with known problems, such as a Dachshund with back problems. Plan on your expenses. Have money saved for things like vaccinations, heartworm tests and preventive, dental cleanings before they are needed. Have routine veterinary visits, so that problems are picked up on before they are a larger problem. What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it? The policies vary a great deal. Know what you want, and what you are buying. Some policies cover more routine stuff but are more expensive, others only cover true emergencies, but most do not cover the whole bill, even if a certain procedure is covered. It really depends on what the consumer wants. It can be a good thing if the consumer knows what is covered, and if it is purchased before any pre-existing conditions. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly? Pet-friendly parks and dog parks, pet friendly walking paths with waste disposal receptacles, leash and vaccination laws to protect your dogs from other dogs, control strays so your dog is protected, places for dogs to be housed outside, similar to the runs that larger stores, like Cabela's supply patrons, possible water sources for dogs to drink from on the walking paths. In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators? Things from the above list, easily accessible. Nancy Dreschel Instructor in Small Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? Pet ownership is a big responsibility, but doesn’t have to break the bank. The two largest pet expenses are food and veterinary care. I am a firm believer in investing in prevention. Feed good quality food to your pet, manufactured by a brand name company that puts money into research and quality assurance. There is a lot of hype surrounding pet food. Most animals will do well on a balanced commercial diet, and unless they have a specific medical problem, don’t require “specialty” foods. Beware of obesity in your pet, as it will contribute to long-lasting medical issues, which can be costly to manage (not to mention painful and uncomfortable for your pet). With your veterinarian’s guidance, get the vaccines and preventatives that are appropriate for the geographical area and lifestyle of your pet. Socialize and train your pet with positive reinforcement techniques when it is young, so that it is less likely to develop behavior problems when it is older. Set aside some savings in case your pet does develop a medical or behavioral problem, so that you can act on it quickly. What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it? Pet insurance is another cost that many people may not be able to afford. Every company and policy differs in what they cover. In the case of a major emergency or chronic illness, having pet insurance could mean the difference in having to make a life or death decision for your pet based on cost. I recommend that people speak with their veterinarian and find out which companies they and their clients have had good luck with. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly? Having green areas where pets and their owners can interact with each other is always good, whether these are designated “dog parks,” or just areas where dogs are welcome. Passing and enforcing legislation that encourages responsible pet ownership, instead of generalized restrictive legislation. For example, dangerous dog legislation that is based on the acts of an individual pet and/or owner versus an entire breed or type of animal. Local authorities should support the local animal shelters and rescues so that they can sponsor educational and preventative events, as well as take care of and adopt the animals in their care. In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators? When I think of a welcoming city for dog owners, I first think about having access to good and affordable veterinary care, including emergency after-hours care when needed. I also look for the city to have reasonable leash laws and dog control, including well-run shelters and rescues, that focus on placing and helping animals remain in life-long homes. The presence of dog parks and popular green areas, where dogs are welcome and well-behaved is a good indicator of an area that supports responsible ownership, and encourages interaction and socialization for people and their pets. Spending time with our pets brings value to our relationships with them, so the presence of “fun” ways to interact, whether that be an active dog training club, the availability of dog “sports,” such as agility or flyball, or just welcoming and celebrating their roles in our lives at parades, picnics, concerts, and other gatherings will make a city more pet-friendly. Lisa Moses Veterinarian in Pain and Palliative Care at the Angell Animal Medical Center, Research Fellow in Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, and Chair of the Animal Ethics Study Group at Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? Be realistic about whether you can afford to take proper care of a pet. Consider similar issues as if you were having a baby: can you find money for unexpected medical care, will you need to hire a dog walker or other care helper, etc. If you are considering buying a pet from a breeder, do some research on whether the breed of pet you are considering is one who has more than average medical needs. For example, many people are unaware that certain breeds of dogs are much more likely to have health problems like allergies, heart disease, or cancer. I also recommend that folks consider starting a savings account for veterinary care, believe it or not. See my next answer. What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it? I certainly recommend it if you have a purebred dog or cat, who is known to have a high incidence of health problems. Pet insurance is relatively expensive if you only use it for preventative health care, but it can really help with a serious illness or injury. Most of my patients do not have health insurance, however. I do tell people that they should consider starting a savings account when they acquire a pet, if unexpected medical care will be really hard for them to afford. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly? Make sure they have up to date animal control and animal cruelty regulations. Some locales have regulations that have not been updated to account for current agreement on what is humane care. Fund local animal regulatory authorities that provide community education and resources for pet owners. In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators? In no particular order:

• Seeing few or no stray animals on the streets;

• Availability of high-quality, 24-hour veterinary care, or the presence of a veterinary school;

• Thriving businesses that provide care for pets;

• A well-funded and well-run humane society, SPCA, or local government animal shelter, with high rates of adoption.

Kelly Oliver W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? You can find pets that need homes in local animal shelters, were you don't have to spend much to adopt a pet. Most grocery stores carry affordable food. You can sometimes find pet beds, leashes, and other items at local thrift stores. There are some rescue organizations that might help supply your pets. You can be creative. For example, you can use newspaper instead of cat litter, especially if you train kittens from an early age. Just place a newspaper in a cat box or any plastic, water-resistant container that your cat can get in and out of easily. Cats love to play in cardboard boxes and are happy with tin-foil balls, twist-ties, or bird feathers as toys. Dogs are thrilled with stuffed toys from thrift stores -- just be careful not to get toys that have removable eyes or other parts that the dog could swallow. Many cities also have value vets with reasonable prices. What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it? Pet insurance is a good option when owning breeds prone to health issues. If you can afford pure-breed pets, then you might be able to afford pet insurance. For lower cost pet care, choose value vets and forget about pet insurance. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly?

• Dog friendly parks;

• No-kill shelters;

• Free spay and neuter options;

• Websites for lost and found pets;

• Reduced speed in residential neighborhoods;

• Healthy options to reduce fleas, ticks and mosquitos, which can carry diseases.

In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators?

• Quality veterinary services, including availability of reliable vets, value vets and reasonably priced veterinary care, full service animal hospitals, and mobile vet services.

• A climate that doesn’t promote parasites, especially fleas, ticks, and mosquitos, all of which can carry serious diseases.

• Dog parks and outdoor spaces for pets.

• No-kill shelters, and animal rescue organizations.

• Grooming services, including mobile groomers.

Karen Bradshaw Associate Professor in the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law and Senior Sustainability Scientist in the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? Pets are expensive. In addition to routine expenses, vet bills can quickly add up to thousands of dollars. Families on a budget considering pets may look to those with lower veterinary bills, such as fish. For cat and dog lovers on a budget, consider pet sitting instead of owning, and be paid for giving hugs and playing fetch. Another great option is to watch the pet for a deployed member of the military. These are both also good options for assessing how a pet can fit into your lifestyle (and budget) long-term. What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it? Pet insurance is generally a good idea. When a young pet enters your family, it’s hard to imagine future non-routine expenses. But, by the time pets age, they have become full-fledged members of the family, and denying even expensive treatments can be heartbreaking. Reputable, high-quality pet insurance can offset these costs. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly? Pet-friendly policies include restaurants with outdoor dining areas where dogs are welcome, hiking trails or walkable neighborhoods, and a good supply of Airbnb or hotels that are pet-friendly. The most pet-friendly U.S. cities -- like Carmel, California -- have a plethora of each of these options available. Increasing the sheer numbers of trails, restaurants, and accommodations can help a city develop a pet-friendly reputation. Cities and states understand that citizens want laws to protect pets and encourage responsible ownership. Forty-nine states now allow pets to inherit property from their owners, when the owner dies. In another example, Phoenix has a law requiring pet stores to only "sell," or adopt out, rescues. This cuts down on puppy mills, by having consumers looking to purchase pets go directly to breeders, and encouraging others to consider adopting rescues. Other cities are experimenting with increased enforcement for abuse. In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators?

• Are other dog owners friendly, and responsible about having well-socialized, leashed pets, who they consistently pick up after?

• Can I take regular and varied walks with my pet from my house, without needing to drive?

• Can I take my dog out to a restaurant patio for Sunday brunch?

• Is there an off-leash dog park or dog beach within walking distance of my house?

• Do local and state laws prioritize protecting animals?

Joseph Taboada Associate Dean for Veterinary Education and Student Affairs and Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? There are a couple of things that I would suggest:

• When getting a new pet, look to those resources in the community where one can adopt from a good shelter or rescue organization. The cost of acquiring a new pet is often less than purchasing a pet, and the hybrid vigor of mixed breed animal will sometimes reduce the likelihood of health problems that might be inherent to a certain breed.

• Spend your health care dollars on preventative care. Vaccinations, heartworm prevention, parasite control, and just as importantly, the advice that your veterinarian can give about the home environment and the things in the area that one should watch out for from a health perspective can, in the long run, prevent a big bill to treat a preventable problem.

• Create an interactive and stimulating environment for your pet. Exercise and a stimulating environment can prevent boredom and the destructive behavior at home, that adds to the cost of owning a pet when you are having to fix things or purchase new things that were destroyed.

What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it? Pet insurance probably isn’t for everyone, but in my opinion, it can be a good investment. In most cases, I don’t think it saves one money in the short run, but what it does is allow one to make a decision about the health needs of the pet when an unexpected situation arises, or it covers preventative care that one might otherwise choose to go without, due to the cost at that point in time. As a veterinarian, many of the things that I recommend as needed will be put off due to costs, causing a certain amount of guesswork to go into creating a plan to manage a health care situation. When one guesses wrong it may result in increased costs later. Those with pet insurance are less likely to turn down initial recommendations, which reduces the guesswork. It also reduces the stress and guilt on the part of the pet owner, because the finances may not be such a big factor in making a health care decision, as to what to do for the pet. People with pet insurance are less likely to wait to bring their pet to the veterinarian. Just as in human medicine, waiting often results in the need to utilize the emergency practice, which is generally a much more expensive way to get the care that is needed. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly? Parks and common spaces that are pet friendly are the key. If the culture is for pets to go out with their owners and truly be a member of the family in the community, then those with animals will feel more welcome. This spreads to local ordinances about animal friendly businesses, and those that want to be animal friendly. If people with pets feel welcomed in the community, then housing stock typically takes note and it becomes easier for people to find housing that is pet friendly. How much does the community spend on sheltering and adoption? Is there a “no-kill” alternative in the community? What percentage of the animals in the community are spayed/neutered, and is there a license incentive to do so? Are there feral cat Trap-Neuter-Return programs, or are cats pulled off the streets and euthanized opening up places in the ecosystem for more unwanted cats? In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators?

• Pet-friendly parks and common spaces.

• How leash laws are managed and viewed. Money spent within the community (city budget, as well as money raised through donations) on sheltering/rescue/adoption/fostering.

• Number of pet-friendly businesses.

• Availability of emergency care and specialty care within the community.

• Pet-friendly rental housing alternatives.

Inder Sehgal Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences at California Health Sciences University What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly? Local authorities can support the construction and maintenance of dog parks. The parks are often partially sponsored by businesses, so cities do not have to go it all alone. Cities do need to provide for the land, zoning and upkeep. Authorities also make cities pet-friendly by avoiding the temptation to institute dog breed- or type-specific bans, and by setting reasonable licensing and registration requirements and fees. In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators?

• Number of dog parks per population, such as per 100,000 people.

• Access to pet care resources, including boarding/grooming facilities, and veterinary care, including emergency and specialty practices per population, such as per 100,000 people.

• The absence of dog breed- or type-specific bans.

• Number of rescue organizations per population, such as per 100,000 people.

• Building and maintaining sidewalks and parks in residential communities (miles of sidewalks per population/city park acreage per 100,000 people).

What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? First, families need to realistically recognize what the costs are for owning a particular pet, then calculate what they can afford to spend. If the first number (cost to own) is greater than the second number (what they can afford), then those individuals or families need to say “no,” “not at this time” or “we will start with a different type of pet, such as a pocket pet or fish.” When it comes to dogs and cats, rescues are obviously less money initially than breeder-bought, but they still need food (which can be home-made for cost savings), safe shelter, medications, such as heartworm and flea/tick preventatives and veterinary care. People can reduce health risks and the associated costs of health problems by exercising dogs, keeping medications out of reach and not letting pets run loose. Diane Sullivan Assistant Dean and Professor of Law in the Massachusetts School of Law What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? Tips for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank include rescue, don’t buy. The shelters are loaded with purebreds, if that is what you want. Also, many breeds have their own rescue operations. If you adopt from a rescue, most pets are fixed or neutered and have all their required shots. What are the pros and cons of purchasing pet insurance? Do you recommend it? I do not only recommend pet insurance, I have it. You just never know if your beloved pet will require costly medical care. The disadvantages include deductibles, exclusions for pre-existing conditions and the fact that many veterinarians want payment upfront, and pet insurance reimburses the pet guardian. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly? Local authorities can make their cities pet-friendly by easing up on restrictions, and allowing leashed pets to accompany their guardians/owners inside stores, restaurants, etc. Making sure there are trails, parks or the like increases the likelihood of the city being pet-friendly and attracting residents, tourists and guests. Just today, I was looking to travel for a few days to the seacoast, for a vacation weekend. I searched for a dog-friendly hotel and a town with walking paths and ocean access that allowed dogs. In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators?

• Hotels, motels -- do they allow pets without size restrictions and hefty additional fees?

• Does the city or town limit pet ownership -- i.e., to a certain small number of pets?

• Are there parks, trails and water (ocean, lake) access, or is there a no pets allowed policy?

• Are there places to dine and shop with your pet?

• Are there 24-hour veterinarian care facilities?

Diane P. Michelfelder Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Macalester College What tips do you have for individuals and families looking to own pets without breaking the bank? Let’s face it, unless you are interested in having a single goldfish or a pet rock for a companion, making the commitment to bring a pet into your household will involve both initial and ongoing expenses. The good news is that with some planning ahead, these expenses don’t have to get out of hand. Adopting a pet is much less expensive than purchasing one from a breeder or a store; check your local humane society or local rescue organizations for adoptable animals, or try Petfinder.com. Larger pet supply stores, such as Petco, offer free books of coupons toward food and other supplies upon proof of adoption, and joining one of their rewards programs can save you hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of a pet. If your pet comes down with an illness, it is important not to cut costs on veterinary care, but keeping your pet up to date on vaccinations is one way of keeping them healthy. Some pet supply stores offer low-cost clinics, where you can take your pet for not only routine vaccinations, but also for tests for heartworm and other diseases. Need a pet sitter while you are away on vacation? It is generally less expensive (and better for your pet) not to put them in a kennel, but board them at someone’s house instead, or (even better) keep them home and have a neighbor or pet sitter look in on them. DogVacay.com is a reputable source for in-home pet sitters, and references are listed. If you haven’t owned a pet before and are unsure of just what kind of pet you would like to have, fostering a cat, dog, or even a rabbit might be the way to go. Some foster organizations will reimburse the costs of pet food and medical treatment for the pet you’re fostering. And, if they don’t, you may be able to deduct the costs of fostering -- even kitty litter -- as a charitable contribution on your income tax forms. What measures can local authorities take in order to make their cities more pet-friendly? City and neighborhood councils can go a long way in this regard by backing the construction of dog parks and by making sure that “human” parks are pet-friendly, by including watering stations and free pet waste bags, not only in the parks, but also along city trails. Dog parks have come a long way since the first ones were built basically as a public back yard: set-aside open spaces surrounded by a fence. Nowadays the imagination (plus funding) is the limit. Some parks have fountains, swimming pools, and agility courses; other parks, more nature-oriented, allow you and your pet to go swimming in a river, and have many trails for you to explore. Cities can even participate in an annual contest (sponsored by Purina’s Beneful), where the winner gets an award to build a dream dog park. In evaluating the best and worst cities for pet lovers, what are the top 5 indicators? Some of the amenities you would want to look for when considering whether a city is a good place to raise a pet are the same as whether it would be a good place to raise a child. Along with having plenty of public spaces available for your pet to play and socialize with other animals, another indicator is the quality of health care. The top cities in this regard are ones with a university veterinary hospital; other things to look for are the easy availability of quality weekend and emergency care. Something else to look for is how many employers have on-site day care available for your pet while you are at work. A good sign of a city being a great place to raise a pet -- and a sign of its economic health in general -- is the variety of businesses devoted to pets, from small stores selling a wide variety of organic treats and other pet-related merchandise, to self-service dog washing establishments. And if you go to the main shopping streets of the main residential neighborhoods in the city, and see a number of water bowls on the sidewalk in front of businesses, and dogs relaxing on restaurant patios while their “companion humans” eat, that’s a good sign, too.

Methodology

In order to determine the most pet-friendly places in America, WalletHub’s analysts compared the 100 most populated cities across three key dimensions: 1) Pet Budget, 2) Pet Health & Wellness and 3) Outdoor Pet-Friendliness.

We evaluated those dimensions using 21 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for pets and their owners. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only. For metrics marked with an asterisk (**), the square root of the population was used to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its total score and used the resulting scores to rank-order the cities in our sample. Our sample considers only the city proper in each case and excludes cities in the surrounding metro area.

Pet Budget – Total Points: 25

• Veterinary Care Costs: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)
• Minimum Pet-Care Provider Rate per Visit: Half Weight (~5.00 Points)
• Dog Insurance Premium: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)

Pet Health & Wellness – Total Points: 50

• Veterinarians per Capita**: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Pet Caretakers per Capita**: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Pet Businesses per Capita**: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Pet-Friendly Restaurants per Capita**: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Share of Pet-Friendly Hotels: Quarter Weight (~1.11 Points)
• Pet Meetup Groups per Capita**: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Pet-Friendliness of Rental Market: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of pet-friendly rental units.
• Average Home Square Footage: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Share of Single-Family Detached Homes: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Share of Homes with One or Fewer Occupants per Room: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Animal Shelters per Capita**: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)
• Strength of Animal Protection Laws: Full Weight (~4.44 Points)Note: This metric is based on the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s “Best & Worst States for Animal Protection Laws” ranking.

Outdoor Pet-Friendliness – Total Points: 25

• Weather: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Cities with the Best & Worst Weather” ranking.
• Dog Parks per Capita**: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)
• Parkland as Share of City Area: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)
• Walk Score: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)
• Pet-Friendly Trails per Capita**: Full Weight (~4.55 Points)
• Dog Shows per Capita**: Half* Weight (~2.27 Points)

 

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Yelp.com, Zillow, -, WalkScore.com, TripAdvisor, RentPath, Pets Best Insurance Services, Council for Community and Economic Research, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Sittercity, BringFido, InfoDog, Trust for Public Land, Animal Legal Defense Fund, Meetup and WalletHub research.

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