Video: Pet-Friendly is the Word for These Top 10 Cities

When we first moved to Arizona I was dumbfounded by the number of retail stores catering to pets and pet owners. Vets and boarding facilities are also wildly popular in the Greater Phoenix Valley area.

Scottsdale comes in 5th on WalletHub.com’s list of the top 10 pet-friendly cities and I’m sure the popular Chaparral Dog Park was considered in the data. As a matter of fact, the Southeast Valley alone boasts 12 dog parks, some quite elaborate, and many nicer than ‘people parks’. The Cosmo Dog Park here in Gilbert has, among other things, a pond, fenced areas and separate play areas for active and timid dogs, night lighting, dog washing stations, a basketball court (although I’ve yet to meet a dog that was a particularly accomplished baller), Ramadas with barbecue grills, and an obstacle course of sorts.

Believe me when I say that pet-friendly is an extremely important feature for a majority of home buyers.

Video: Top 10 Most Pet-Friendly Cities

For your convenience we’ve provided a transcript directly below this video

Video Transcript: Pet-Friendly is the Word for These Top 10 Cities

Welcome to Today’s Home Update, I’m Kelly.

Eighty million households in America own at least one pet. That’s a lot of animals!

Some housing markets are more pet friendly than others, with more pet businesses and providers available than in other areas. Based on those criteria, WalletHub.com compiled the top ten most pet friendly cities in the country.

Orlando, Florida
Birmingham, Alabama
Tampa, Florida
Lexington, Kentucky
Scottsdale, Arizona
Reno, Nevada
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Cincinnati, Ohio
Las Vegas, Nevada
St. Louis, Missouri

Orlando comes in number one for it’s high density of Veterinarians, 65.6 for every 100,000 residents. Orlando also boasts the highest density of pet-related businesses at 172.25 per 100,000 residents.

Scottsdale, Arizona, number five on the list, has the highest number of animal shelters per 100,000 residents, 6.26.

Many markets not in the top 10 are pet friendly as well. The least expensive pet care costs can be found in Stockton, California, where a Veterinarian visit averages just $32.92. And the least expensive dog insurance premiums 21.63 per month, can be found in St. Paul, Minnesota, also not in the top 10.

To find out how pet friendly your city is visit WalletHub.com

Thanks for watching Today’s Home Update, see you next time.