Our pets are much more than just an animal; they are part of our family. As our family members, we want what's best for them, like food, toys, and to live in a city that suits their needs.
WalletHub, a personal finance site, did some digging to find the most pet-friendly cities in the United States.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many families decided to get a pandemic pet and the cost of pets does not come cheap. According to the report, the American Pet Products Association projects that in 2021, pet ownership will cost Americans $109.6 billion. Here is what the report lists as just a few of the expected expenses when getting a pet:
"Expenses range from licenses, grooming and medical care can cost from around $230 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."
WalletHub looked at 100 of the largest U.S. cities and reviewed data consisting of 23 key metrics that fall under three categories, pet budget, pet health and wellness and outdoor pet-friendliness, to find which areas are the best for your pets.
So, where did one Michigan city land on the list?
- No. 96: Detroit
Detroit scored low in two of the three main categories, pet health and wellness and outdoor pet-friendliness.
According to the report, here are the top 10 most pet-friendly cities in the U.S:
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- Tampa, Florida
- Orlando, Florida
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Birmingham, Alabama
- St. Louis, Missouri
- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- San Diego, California
- New Orleans, Louisiana
To view the complete report, click here.