New York Ranked Among the Least Pet Friendly Cities in America

If you have a dog or cat, you know they are part of the family. But a new study says New York may not be the easiest place to raise a pet. MetLife Pet Insurance looked at nearly 50 of the nation's biggest cities and found that New York City ranks among the least pet friendly in America.

New York Finished Near the Bottom

They ranked 49 major U.S. cities using factors that matter most to pet owners. New York City came in 39th, making it the 11th least pet friendly city in the country. Researchers looked at things like veterinary care, dog parks, walkability, pet friendly businesses, and housing that allows pets.

Finding a Vet Can Be a Challenge

One of New York's biggest problems was access to veterinarians. The city ranked last in the nation for highly rated veterinarians, with just 1.2 highly rated vets for every 100,000 people.

Walking Your Dog Is Easy, But That's Not Enough

New York did earn one perfect score. The city received a walkability score of 100, meaning it's easy to get around on foot with your pet. That wasn't enough to make up for the lack of veterinarians and other pet friendly resources.

Other Cities Scored Much Better

Several smaller cities ranked higher than New York. Tampa, Austin, and Charlotte all scored better because they offer more of the things pet owners look for, like easier access to veterinary care and more pet friendly places.

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What It Means for New York Pet Owners

If you live in New York City, this study doesn't mean you can't give your pet a great life. It means that finding a vet, locating pet friendly housing, and accessing other pet services may take more time than in other cities across the country.