The nation’s most populous city is also one of the worst for pets. New York City placed near the bottom of a new WalletHub ranking of the most pet-friendly cities in the United States, not helping the Empire State’s reputation for animal hospitality.
The personal finance website ranked the 100 largest U.S. cities for pet friendliness based on two dozen factors in three categories: Pet budget, pet health and wellness, and outdoor pet-friendliness.
New York City placed 90th, making it the 11th least pet-friendly city in the nation on the list published Tuesday. The Big Apple has the country’s highest dog insurance premium at $83.50 per month and the 10th highest veterinary care costs at $79.30 for the average annual exam, according to WalletHub.
The city’s housing market also creates a struggle for pet owners, WalletHub’s study suggests. Less than 23 percent of the city’s rental units are pet-friendly, the sixth-smallest proportion in the nation, WalletHub says.
New York City also ranks 98th for its share of single-family detached homes, which are presumably better for creatures that need to stretch their legs outside. Just 9 percent of the city’s households live in such housing units, according to WalletHub.
But New Yorkers shouldn’t have to worry about finding someone to keep an eye on their furry friends — the city ranks No. 1 for the number of pet caretakers per capita.
It may not be surprising that the city is so unfriendly to pets, given the fact that another ranking named New York the nation’s least pet-friendly state last month.
Buffalo is even worse for pets than the five boroughs — the upstate city ranks 99th on WalletHub’s list, just above Honolulu.
Dedicated pet lovers could head west to give their companions a better life. Scottsdale, Arizona is the most pet-friendly city in the nation, with Orlando, Florida; San Diego; Austin, Texas; and Phoenix rounding out the top five, according to WalletHub says source.
See WalletHub’s full ranking here.
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