Some people have developed a deep admiration for cats that surpasses their affection for any other animal. A recent study shows that this fondness for cats varies across different cities. Some places show a particularly strong love for these animals. As International Cat Day approaches this month, LawnStarter, a resource for various lifestyle interests, has taken the initiative to rank the cities that shine as havens for cat lovers.
They conducted a comprehensive comparison of the 200 largest cities in the United States, evaluating them based on four key categories. Their assessment includes factors such as the availability of animal shelters, veterinary services, and cat-friendly housing options. Additionally, they considered affordability, along with a total of 15 other indicators that gauge the level of feline-friendliness within each city.
Orlando is the best city for cat lovers
The study reveals that Orlando has claimed the title of Cat Lovers Capital for the second consecutive year. With a lead of over 10 points, Orlando stands out as the top-ranking city, surpassing Knoxville, Tennessee, which comes in second.
Florida has a strong presence in the top 10 for Care Access, with cities like Orlando (No. 1), Miami (No. 14), and Fort Lauderdale (No. 13) making a significant showing. This achievement is attributed to their high scores in three metrics: cat sitters, cat boarding options, and pet stores.
While cats vacationing with their owners in Florida can easily find temporary accommodations, the situation is quite different for local felines. The study reveals that six out of the ten worst cities for Housing and accommodation are located in the Sunshine State.
Other findings
Based on the study's results, it appears that the Southern half of the U.S. is a highly favorable region for feline companions. Almost three-quarters of the top 20 cities belong to this area, and there could be even more depending on the distinction between Northern and Southern states. A majority of these cities, ranging from California to Florida, demonstrated great performance in both Cat Access and Care Access.
On the other hand, the lower end of the ranking comprises a mixture of Northern and Southern cities, with Detroit retaining its position as the last-ranked city. The cities at the bottom collectively received some of the lowest scores across all categories, with only a few exceptions.
See what other cities made the list here.
