Group Ranks Most and Least Pet-Friendly States

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Elizabeth Cincotta
by Elizabeth Cincotta

Every 5 years, the American Veterinary Medical Association conducts a pet ownership survey throughout the U.S. The findings, published in their U.S. Pet Ownership Demographics Sourcebook, detail which states have the largest number of pet owners and which have the least.

Based on their latest survey, Massachusetts doesn’t appear too pet-friendly.

Let’s break down some of the survey results:

Vermont was deemed the most pet-friendly state, with 70.8% of their households owning a pet. New Mexico was close behind with 67.6%, followed by South Dakota with 65.6%, Oregon with 63.6%, Maine with 62.9%, Washington with 62.7%, Arkansas with 62.4%, West Virginia with 62.1%, Idaho 62% and finally Wyoming wrapped up the list of the most pet-friendly states with 61.8% of citizens owning a pet.

Interested in the least pet-friendly states? So was I.

Massachusetts ranks as the least pet-friendly state with the lowest percentage of pet owners.

Neighboring Rhode Island started the list out with just 53% of households owning a pet. Minnesota was tied with Rhode Island with 53%. California continued the trend with only 52.9%, Maryland with 52.3%, Illinois with 51.8%, Nebraska with 51.3%, Utah with 51.2%, New Jersey with 50.7% and not surprisingly, New York reported just 50.6% of households own a pet.

I was shocked, however, to read that Massachusetts ranked the least pet-friendly state, with just 50.4% of our neighbors owning a pet.

I tried drawing conclusions based upon the states included in this list, but I really have no clear answers. For some states, such as New York, it seems obvious that a hectic city environment combined with a high percentage of apartment and condo renters would lead to being on the “least pet-friendly” list. But why is Massachusetts even less pet-friendly? Share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below!

Elizabeth Cincotta is one of the co-founders of the Daily Dog Blog. Follow their Facebook page for updates. Leave her a comment here or contact her at Beth@dailydogblog.org. 

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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9 comments

  1. Massachusetts residents may be more concerned with privacy issues when it comes to filling out a census form and admitting they have several pets. Personally, I think MA households have pets more than ever.

  2. MA has many rental apartments and owners to not allow pets in most rentals.

  3. It doesn’t surprise me that Illinois would be on the least pet friendly list. Illinois is the “least friendly” when in comes to everything. I hate living here.

  4. I AM SO SICK OF OTHER PEOPLES PETS BEING JAMMED DOWN MY THROAT. I REALLY AM NOT INTO PETS AND DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO BE SUBJECTED TO THE ANIMALS. I WOULD LOVE TO START A NO PETS, NO SMOKERS GROUP AND JUST BE ABLE TO RELAX AND ENJOY THE COMPANY OF OTHER LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. I AM SICK OF THE MAULING, THE FLEES AND I AND MOST OF ALL THE DOG SH*T THAT OTHERS SEEM TO THINK IS OK. OK SUBJECTING PEOPLE IN STORES TO VICIOUS MAULING OR FLEES, YOU HAVE A PET GOOD FOR YOU STAY HOME WITH IT OR LET IT HOME OR HAVE SOME ONE DOG SIT FOR YOU. WE NON PET PEOPLE HAVE RIGHTS TOO, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK WE SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO YOUR STUPID PET. PLEASE DO FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IN REGARDS TO STARTING A NO SMOKE NO PET GROUP. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY PEOPLE THAT HURT ANIMALS NOT INTO HURTING ANIMALS JUST NOT INTO ANIMALS THEY ARE A NUISANCE IN MY OPINION.

    • Calm the f*ck down. I hate children, but you don’t see me freaking out over it, do you? How about I start a no children group? I’d love to rant to people about how they’re noisy and ugly and smelly and useless, but no, that’s not okay, now is it? You don’t like pets? Tough. Be quiet, stop screaming about it, and deal with it. People have pets, get over it. You might not like them, but you’ve no right to harass them.

    • @ Elizabeth Ball- contact Donald TRUMP, he hate pets too. what is wrong with you??? That says a lot about you. I do nto think any one is jamming their pets down your throat? Maybe people who do nto like kids feel like you and others jamm their kids down their throats with pictures of Johnnie and Jaynie. I agree with white Calm down.

  5. I agree with Ms. Ball. The reason I came to this site is to see where I could move to get away from dogs. Can’t stand the slimy monsters. I’m sick of being jumped on, noses in my crotch, stepping in crap, kept awake all night by multiple barking dogs within earshot, trash can knocked over, etc. etc. Can’t hear dog owners talk because their stinking noisy dogs won’t shut up.

  6. Dogs are the scourge of the earth. They ruin the ambiance of every urban and rural setting. There is no such thing as a dog free zone; the hideous beasts are everywhere. There is no place left on earth to get away from them – kind of like fireworks in the US in early July. But clueless dog owners cling to the belief that EVERYBODY likes their dog. It’s nauseating.

  7. Ha! The truth comes out! I’d heard or read somewhere that more than half the U.S. population has an adverse opinion of either dogs or their owners’ dog related behavior. Though this is a very small sampling, we can see some reflection of this stat here. SINGLE PEOPLE who happen to be dog owners take note – you may be single for longer than you’d want to be – tho most dog owners I know don’t seem to care about that. Their relationships with their dogs are often all consuming. For now, I’ll remain merely a dog “appreciator” – NOT an owner. And no, I don’t really want to meet your dog.

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