The Most (and Least) Pet-Friendly States—Just for Fun
From Colorado to New York, a new ranking looks at where life with your furry sidekick is easiest and most challenging.
by Staff
May 1, 2026
Making a happy home for you and your animal is easier in some states than others, according to a new report.
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2 min to read
If there’s one thing beauty pros love as much as clients who show up on time (and with coffee), it’s their pets. From salon dogs greeting clients to cats curled up after a long day in the salon, fur babies are part of the lifestyle. So, just for fun, a new study from PR Superstar ranks the best—and worst—states for pet ownership, based on everything from vet access and costs to pet-friendly housing and hangouts.
Best and Worst Places for Pet Owners
Owning a pet in the U.S. can be incredibly rewarding, but where you live can have a major impact on cost, access to care, and overall quality of life. A new study by PR Superstar ranked 48 states across 10 key factors, including pet-friendly housing, veterinary access, costs, and lifestyle amenities like parks, restaurants, and hotels. Colorado takes the top spot with a score of 65.55, driven by strong all-around performance. It ranks #1 for animal protection laws and #1 for pet-friendly recreation sites, while also placing #3 for pet-friendly rentals. With 40.24 veterinarians per 100,000 people (#4), access to care is also a major strength. Nebraska follows in second (64.14), standing out for affordability and convenience. It ranks #9 for vet visit costs and #11 for insurance, while also leading the nation for pet-friendly hotels. High pet ownership (70.3%, #3) reinforces its pet-friendly reputation. Vermont (3rd) excels in access and lifestyle, ranking #1 for veterinarians per capita and #1 for pet-friendly restaurants, as well as #1 for state parks. However, it struggles with pet-friendly rentals, ranking 47th. Wyoming (4th) offers the lowest pet insurance costs in the country ($407.64, #1) and the highest pet ownership rate (71.8%, #1), while Oregon (5th) combines top-ranked animal protection laws with strong access to vets and pet-friendly dining. Kansas (6th) benefits from the second-lowest vet visit costs in the U.S., while Virginia (7th) pairs strong laws (#1) with high rental availability (#5). Texas (8th) ranks #2 for pet-friendly rentals but is held back by limited vet access (#42). Montana (9th) and Washington (10th) round out the top 10, both performing well for access to vets and outdoor amenities, though Washington faces higher care costs. At the bottom, New York ranks last (48th), with the highest vet visit cost in the study ($76.95) and one of the highest insurance costs ($732.60). It also ranks 48th for veterinarians per capita, making access to care a major issue. New Jersey (47th), Maryland (46th), Massachusetts (45th), and Connecticut (44th) complete the bottom five, largely due to higher costs, lower vet availability, and fewer pet-friendly amenities.
At a Glance: The Most and Least Pet-Friendly States
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