It’s no secret that millions of loving cats and kittens are waiting in animal shelters across the country, but the good news is that cat adoptions are on the rise. In fact, cat adoptions have outpaced dog adoptions for the last several years, which led PetSmart to wonder which cities are the most dedicated to their feline friends.
To celebrate Anything for Cats Month, which takes place every July, PetSmart Charities took a deep dive into their data to discover the top 25 cat-loving towns in the US. Not even their feline experts could have guessed which cities, towns, and townships would make the list!
Image via PetSmart Charities
Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities, was at the center of this research. She explains, “This index shows us that cat parenting is more universal than you might think, and those old stereotypes no longer apply. More people than ever are enjoying the playful nature of cat companionship. Cats can thrive in smaller living spaces, and their independence often makes them incredibly appealing to pet parents who can’t get out for regular walks.”
Related: Shocking Nationwide Study Reveals Which States See the Most (and the Least) Pet Adoptions
That makes sense! There are many reasons to love cats, from their adorable chirps and sounds to their playful, chaotic antics. Every cat has a personality as unique as a human’s, and they are sure to leave you smiling.
Top 25 Cat-Loving Cities in the US
To index and rank these cat-loving cities, PetSmart looked at two critical factors. The first is the number of cat adoptions at PetSmart Charities adoption events in each city. The second is the amount spent in each city on certain ‘cat-pampering’ pet products, including: cat treats, leashes, collars, cat towers, scratching posts, beds, and cat toys.
Image via PetSmart Charities
Without further ado, here are the top 25 cat-loving cities in the United States:
- Lexington, KY
- Green Bay, WI
- Mount Juliet, TN
- Spokane, WA
- Falls Church, VA
- New York, NY
- Clarksville, TN
- Fort Collins, CO
- Alhambra, CA
- Daly City, CA
- Plymouth Meeting, PA
- North Canton, OH
- Plattsburgh, NY
- Sioux City, IA
- Kennesaw, GA
- San Juan Capistrano, CA
- Fairless Hills, PA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Oviedo, FL
- Flagstaff, AZ
- Commerce Township, MI
- Springfield, IL
- Evansville, IN
- Johnson City, TN
- Kensington, MD
Would you have guessed a single city on this list? I sure wouldn’t have! I haven’t even heard of half of the towns on this list, and I know I’m not alone.
Several of the towns on this list, like Commerce Township, Michigan, for example, are suburbs of larger cities such as Detroit, Atlanta, and Nashville. Others are college towns, and just a few are huge cities, but what surprised me the most was how many tiny towns made the list, too.
Image via PetSmart Charities
Plymouth Meeting, PA, has a population of only 6 thousand people! This is a huge contrast to Los Angeles, with nearly 4 million residents.
I guess this really does go to show how universal the cat adoption experience can be. No matter where you live, your home could be the ‘purrfect’ place for a feline friend.
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