Charlotte Scores Low In 'Most Pet Friendly City' Ranking

CHARLOTTE, NC — When it comes to creating a welcoming environment for pets, Charlotte has a lot of work to do, according to a new study. Charlotte ranks No. 94 out of the largest 100 cities as "2021's Most Pet-Friendly Cities" in the United States, according to a recent WalletHub report.

Charlotte's rankings were the lowest in North Carolina when it came to fur baby friendliness. Here's how other cities in the state fared:

• Raleigh — No. 29
• Winston-Salem — No. 37
• Greensboro — No. 54
• Durham — No. 84

The study was based on 23 key metrics, which included veterinary care costs, pet insurance premiums, walk score and animal shelters per capita.

Americans are projected to spend nearly $110 billion on their pets this year, according to the American Pet Product Association.

"Animal companionship is a great stress reliever, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic," WalletHub said. "Naturally, the nearly 85 million households in the U.S. that own pets want to live places where their beloved companions can enjoy long, healthy lives without breaking the bank."

Overall, Charlotte score 43.22. Here's how the Queen City ranked in comparison to other major U.S. cities in key areas:

• Outdoor pet-friendliness — 99th
• Pet Health & Wellness — 56th
• Pet Budget — 67th

Which U.S. city is the most pet friendly? According to WalletHub, that would be Scottsdale, Arizona, with also enjoys a No. 1 ranking for pet health & wellness, and a No. 3 in the nation ranking for outdoor pet-friendliness. Santa Ana, California ranked the lowest of all 100 surveyed cities, particularly when it came to pet budget, according to the report.

More information about the WalletHub report may be found here.

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