Choosing where to live with your pet can dramatically impact both your wallet and your furry friend’s wellbeing. From veterinarian availability to pet-friendly housing options, whether or not you live in a pet-friendly state plays a crucial role in determining how easy—and affordable—pet ownership will be.
Some states excel at supporting pet families with abundant veterinary care, numerous animal rescues, and landlords who welcome four-legged tenants. Others fall short, leaving pet owners struggling with limited vet access, housing discrimination, and fewer resources when emergencies strike.
To identify the most and least pet-friendly states in America, Your Service Animal analyzed comprehensive data across seven critical metrics: pet ownership rates, average pet spending per household, veterinarian availability per capita, pet-friendly rental properties, shelter and rescue density, search interest in pet adoption and care, and pet-related business availability.
Each state received a score out of 100 points based on how well it supports pet owners and their companions. Here are the definitive rankings—from the top 10 states that roll out the red carpet for pets to the bottom 10 where pet ownership faces the biggest challenges.
Top 10 Most Pet-Friendly States in America
| Rank | State | % of Households With Pets | Average Pet-Owning Household Spending | No. of Pet Shelters/Rescues per 100K People | No. of Pet-Friendly Rentals per 10K properties | No. of Veterinarians per 100K People | Score |
| 1 | Vermont | 70% | $ 3,883.00 | 7.25 | 6.98 | 52.45 | 68.08 |
| 2 | Oregon | 59.20% | $ 2,491.00 | 4.29 | 53.31 | 38.22 | 62.20 |
| 3 | Colorado | 47.20% | $ 2,902.00 | 4.99 | 129.43 | 36.92 | 60.16 |
| 4 | North Dakota | 63.70% | $ 3,529.00 | 4.35 | 52.91 | 37.31 | 59.91 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 52% | $ 4,122.00 | 3.88 | 18.15 | 44.50 | 57.63 |
| 6 | Maine | 63.50% | $ 3,108.00 | 3.90 | 8.62 | 38.29 | 56.84 |
| 7 | Wyoming | 71.80% | $ 1,712.00 | 8.47 | 16.04 | 30.50 | 55.33 |
| 8 | Washington | 63% | $ 2,814.00 | 3.23 | 85.27 | 24.07 | 52.00 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 45.40% | $ 3,770.00 | 4.99 | 15.43 | 27.65 | 51.74 |
| 10 | Kansas | 62.80% | $ 815.00 | 5.45 | 32.41 | 31.44 | 51.23 |
Why Vermont Ranks #1 for Pet Owners
Vermont claims the top spot as America’s most pet-friendly state, and the numbers tell the story. With 70% of households owning pets—the highest rate in the nation—your furry friend will have plenty of companions at local dog parks. Vermont pet owners also invest heavily in their animals, spending nearly $4,000 annually per pet-owning household.
The Green Mountain State leads in veterinary care accessibility, boasting the most veterinarians per capita nationwide. This ensures dogs and cats can always access quality medical care when needed. While pet-friendly rental options may be limited in this small state, Vermont’s combination of high pet ownership, excellent veterinary access, and dedicated pet spending makes it an ideal destination for pet families.
Oregon: The Tech-Savvy Pet Paradise
Oregon, Colorado, and North Dakota follow closely in the rankings, but Oregon stands out for its modern approach to pet ownership. Oregon pet parents demonstrate exceptional engagement with their animals’ wellbeing, generating the highest online search interest for pet-related topics nationwide with 1,036 searches per 10,000 residents.
“Oregon represents the new wave of pet ownership – urban-friendly, tech-savvy, and focused on making pet life work in modern housing situations,” explains Nick Jordan, founder of Your Service Animal.
Bottom 10 Least Pet-Friendly States in America
What states miss the bar when it comes to pet care access and affordability?
| Rank | State | % of Households With Pets | Average Pet-Owning Household Spending | No. of Pet Shelters/Rescues per 100K People | No. of Pet-Friendly Rentals per 10K properties | No. of Veterinarians per 100K People | Score |
| 1 | New York | 50% | $ 2,820.00 | 2.96 | 21.78 | 16.00 | 20.61 |
| 2 | Louisiana | 54% | $ 762.00 | 4.34 | 26.25 | 19.32 | 26.24 |
| 3 | Mississippi | 65.50% | $ 597.00 | 4.15 | 11.62 | 17.67 | 28.80 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 47.40% | $ 4,169.00 | 4.05 | 29.49 | 18.19 | 30.08 |
| 5 | California | 40.10% | $ 3,550.00 | 4.12 | 44.80 | 21.46 | 31.59 |
| 6 | Texas | 58.20% | $ 1,276.00 | 3.75 | 112.74 | 18.65 | 32.36 |
| 7 | Alaska | 25.50% | $ 1,532.00 | 5.78 | 10.14 | 22.86 | 32.61 |
| 8 | Michigan | 62.40% | $ 1,186.00 | 3.34 | 19.32 | 22.75 | 33.10 |
| 9 | Illinois | 48.60% | $ 1,788.00 | 3.26 | 32.07 | 23.09 | 33.11 |
| 10 | Hawaii | 60% | $ 2,564.00 | 2.07 | 9.08 | 24.81 | 33.14 |
Unfortunately, not all states provide ideal conditions for pet ownership. Several factors contribute to challenging environments for pet families across the country.
New York: The Least Pet-Friendly State
New York ranks as the least pet-friendly state in America, presenting significant obstacles for pet parents. The Empire State has the lowest number of veterinarians per capita, making quality veterinary care difficult to access. With only 1.30 pet-related businesses per 100,000 residents, services like dog grooming often have lengthy waiting lists.
Regional Challenges Across Bottom-Ranking States
California’s inclusion on this list reflects the reality many Golden State pet owners face: high living costs make veterinary care feel more like a luxury than a necessity. Louisiana and Mississippi struggle with low pet spending levels, while Hawaii faces severe shortages of pet-friendly rental properties.
In Conclusion
These rankings highlight how geographic location significantly impacts the pet ownership experience, from everyday costs to emergency veterinary access. Whether you’re planning a move or simply curious about your state’s pet-friendliness, these data-driven insights reveal where pets and their families thrive—and where they face the greatest challenges.
Regardless of where you live, caring for a pet can be expensive and time-consuming. While some states are better prepared to support pets and pet parents, rising costs of living are affecting us all. Whether your fur baby feels at home in a one-bedroom apartment or a million-dollar mansion, don’t forget to remind yourself that you’re doing great!