St. Pete is the 7th most pet-friendly city in America, according to a recent analysis by WalletHub. Just take one stroll along North Shore Park or Lassing Park and you’ll see the fabulous array of happy pups in the Sunshine City.

The ranking takes into account various factors that contribute to a city’s overall pet-friendliness, such as the availability of veterinary services, the number of pet-friendly stores, access to doggie daycares and boarding, and the city’s walkability.

“The most pet-friendly cities aren’t just those where it’s cheapest to own an animal and take care of its health, although cost is definitely a major consideration. Many factors contribute to a good environment for pets, from the availability of vets and pet-friendly stores to the prevalence of parks and how walkable each city is,” explained Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst.

Dog-friendly hubs across the Sunshine City

WalletHub compared the pet-friendliness of the 100 largest U.S. cities across 23 key metrics, ranging from veterinarian costs to the number of pet businesses per capita.

St. Pete stands out for its numerous pet-friendly hubs, including Dog Bar St. Pete and Mutts and Martinis, which provide great spaces for pets and their owners to socialize. Additionally, local organizations like the SPCA, Friends of Strays, Pet Pal, and The Humane Society work tirelessly to help animals in need find forever homes.

For outdoor enthusiasts, North Shore Dog Park remains a favorite spot among pet owners, offering a welcoming space for dogs to play and interact. Other local hubs such as St PetersBark and Three Dog Bakery offer tasty havens for your four-legged friends. Our friends at Churned Ice Cream also make tasty dog ice creams, and Pup Active has the best pet-centric merch.