You work hard so your dog can have a better life, right? Well, the Atlanta area was far from being in the dog house when it comes to dog-friendly cities, according to a new report.
The study by Rover — an online marketplace for pet care products — and Zillow ranks Atlanta the sixth top emerging pooch-friendly metro area in the country.
Seeing as many Americans moved within the last year due to the pandemic, Zillow and Rover partnered together to produce a survey to rank the top emerging dog-friendly cities for 2021. Zillow provided information on cities where dog-friendly rentals and listings were on the rise, and Rover provided information on new dog accounts on their platform to provide a cohesive list of cities.
“Home became more important than ever during the pandemic, sparking the great reshuffling. As we rethink where and how we want to live, we’re reevaluating what we want and need in a home in this new normal,” Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton said in a press release. “For many families, that includes considering what’s best for their four-legged family members. Homes with a dog house sold for 3% more than expected last year, while homes with a fenced yard or dog run sold a few days faster than similar homes without these features, even in a year where the market was moving exceptionally fast.”
The survey showed that 86% of dog owners said dog-friendly features — such as having a dog door or access to a dog park — are a large part of their decision-making process, and 84% are willing to spend more for these features.
Sixty percent of dog owners say they would even consider moving to a different home that better fits the needs of their canine family members.
“This year, we spent an extraordinary amount of time with our pets, and many of us relied on their companionship more than ever. As a result, our emotional bonds with our pets also strengthened,” said Rover trends expert Kate Jaffe. “Pets are taking on an even greater role in our families, so it follows that our dogs’ needs are a top priority for pet parents considering a new home.”
Top 15 emerging dog-friendly cities:
- Denver, CO
- Orlando, FL
- Anaheim, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Birmingham, AL
- Atlanta, GA
- Boston, MA
- Glendale, AZ
- New Orleans, LA
- Tampa, FL
- Fayetteville, NC
- Fort Worth, TX
- Miami, FL
- Nashville, TN
- Saint Petersburg, FL