U.S.’s ‘most pet-friendly’ spots: See where Pennsylvania’s cities rank

A city’s pet-friendliness is very much a key factor for those looking to move some place new with their furry (or scaly, or feathery) companions.

But how do Pennsylvania’s cities shape up in this regard?

• SIMILAR STORIES: Pa. city the cat’s meow, among top 20 best for feline lovers

WalletHub released a study on Tuesday that listed “2023′s Most Pet-Friendly Cities” in the United States.

“Animal companionship is a great stress reliever, and the nearly 90.5 million households in the U.S. that own pets want to live in places where their beloved companions can enjoy long, healthy lives without breaking the bank,” the study opens up. “In 2022, pet ownership cost Americans $136.8 billion, according to the American Pet Products Association.”

Researchers at the site then proceeded to establish three main categories — “Pet Budget; “Pet Health & Wellness;” and “Outdoor Pet-Friendliness” — on which to grade the nation’s 100 post populated cities to see which were the best and worst homes for pets. Other factors such as “Veterinary Care Costs,” “Pet Caretakers per Capita;” and “Dog Parks per Capita” were included to weight final scores.

The first mention of a Keystone State city — Pittsburgh — comes at the number 26 spot, which, on a list of 100, isn’t a bad ranking at all (especially when considering that Philadelphia is 84th, placing the City of Brotherly Love at the lower end of the spectrum).

Alas, two of the top three cities were located in Florida — St. Petersburg (third) and Tampa (second) — while Scottsdale, Ariz., claimed number one.

“The easiest thing to do [to determine whether a city is pet-friendly] is look around,” says Ron Broglio, professor at Arizona State University. “Are there a lot of pets, and are they well behaved? This indicates a pet-friendly community.

“Other things to look for include walkable areas or green spaces and parks; good weather; and apartments, bars, cafes, and restaurants that allow pets. For more exotic pets, such as chickens or goats, check city and community ordinances.”

The city at the bottom of the list was Baltimore, Md.