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The Fastest Growing Dog-Friendly Cities in Canada
Many things can prompt someone to move—getting a new job, needing more space, etc.—but what about giving your dog a better home? A whopping 69% of dog parents say they would move to better accommodate their dog’s needs. This may be in part because many Canadians feel that their dogs are members of their families and as a result they are increasingly willing to prioritise their dog’s wellbeing, including in moving decisions.
So while many people moved during the pandemic, dog parents needed to find homes that suit their family’s unique needs. Where did they find these dog-friendly homes? Read on for Rover’s report on the fastest growing dog-friendly cities in each province.
Fastest Growing Dog-Friendly Cities by Province
But there is hope for dog parents looking to move, particularly in the 8 fastest growing dog-friendly cities in Canada. These are places where the number of dog parents are settling and the demand for pet care services is increasing.
While cities like Vancouver are notoriously a hot spot for urban dogs, some of the cities on the list might surprise you. Where pet parents relocated in the last two years was influenced by pandemic-related movements like working from home and wanting more space (like a house with a fenced yard).
Top Dog-Friendly Cities
City
Province
Cochrane
Alberta
Squamish
British Columbia
Winnipeg
Manitoba
Fredericton
New Brunswick
Halifax
Nova Scotia
Milton
Ontario
Québec City
Québec
Saskatoon
Saskatchewan
Dog Parents Find it Challenging to Find Pet-Friendly Rentals
For renters, finding that perfect home can get complicated. Even if they find a rental listed as dog-friendly, 64% of pet parents find that these homes are challenging to rent due to breed and/or size restrictions or a limit on the number of pets allowed.
The biggest challenge renters face is that pet deposits and/or pet rent is too expensive (44%). Other major challenges include size or weight restrictions for pets (42%) and that many dog breeds are simply not allowed (22%).
Pet Parents Are Willing to Spend More Money For a Pet-Friendly Home
Not only will the majority of pet parents move to better accommodate their dogs, 85% are willing to actually spend more to buy or rent a home with pet-friendly features. These include things like a fenced yard, dog door, and close proximity to a dog park.
Methodology: A Rover survey of 500 Canadian dog parents conducted in March 2022, via Pollfish.
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