Yes, you heard correctly. Out of 100 major cities in America, Boston ranks last in terms of caring for our four-legged, winged, and even scaled companions. It is deemed the least accommodating city for pets.
Curious about the details?
With 86.9 million American households projected to spend a whopping $150.6 billion on their furry friends in 2021, one might assume that Boston is a prime location for pet enthusiasts.
However, a thorough examination of 23 significant factors, ranging from veterinary expenses to accessibility for walks, reveals a contrasting reality.
In truth, Boston's rankings are quite "paws" compared to other cities.
In terms of pet-friendliness, Boston falls short in several categories. Our ranking for veterinary care costs is 92nd and for dog insurance premiums, it's 91st. Unfortunately, the number of veterinarians per capita is also low at 79th. Additionally, cozy pet businesses and dog-friendly restaurants are limited, coming in at 56th place for both. The one positive aspect is our ranking for dog parks per capita, at 26th place. But overall, Boston may not be the ideal city for pet owners to thrive in.
Diane M. Sullivan, Assistant Dean & Professor of Law at Massachusetts School of Law, has some insight on why Boston may not be the most ideal city for pet owners. According to her, factors such as high expenses, long work hours, and pet restrictions in apartments can make it challenging to have a pet in the city. Furthermore, returning to the office after the pandemic has led to an unfortunate trend of people giving up their pets. As someone who considers our furry friends as part of the family, Diane believes that they deserve to live in a place where life is made easier for them and their humans. Perhaps it's time for Boston to improve its standards for pet-friendly living. Meanwhile, if you're on the hunt for a pet paradise, WalletHub's top five cities may be worth considering: Scottsdale, AZ; Tampa, FL; Las Vegas, NV; Birmingham, AL; and Lexington, KY. However, let's not lose hope for Boston just yet – maybe we can work towards better conditions for our beloved pets in this city.
No need to worry. Our agents specialize in assisting with pet-friendly relocation and home searches.
Soure: walletHub