Djomas / Shutterstock.com
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on LawnStarter.
They spill your coffee, ruin your emails, and keep you up all night with their zoomies.
But when your feline friend gives you a coveted brow bump or puts a fresh load of “cookies” on your stomach, all the pesky parts of cat ownership melt away.
However, not every city loves your cat as much as you do. So where do you find the perfect den for you and your beloved kitten?
LawnStarter rated the best cities for cat lovers in 2021 based on 11 factors such as access to veterinary practices, the cost of cat sitting, and the cat-friendliness of local rentals.
Next, take a look at our top ranking of the 200 largest US cities along with our methodology.
Our cats may not be jungle kings, but they are definitely the kings of our hearts. The people in the best cat towns know this better than anyone.
1. Orlando, FL
ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
total score: 57.22
Access and community rank: 8th
Care and nursing rank: 14
Housing and accommodation rank: 1
2. Lakewood, CO
Sean Xu / Shutterstock.com
total score: 55.92
Access and community rank: 6
Care and nursing rank: 2
Housing and accommodation rank: 78
3. Cary, NC
Ian Brundige / Shutterstock.com
total score: 55.48
Access and community rank: 9
Care and nursing rank: 9
Housing and accommodation rank: 14
4. Tempe, AZ
AevanStock / Shutterstock.com
total score: 55.41
Access and community rank: 7
Care and nursing rank: 6
Housing and accommodation rank: 30
5. Fort Collins, CO
marekuliasz / Shutterstock.com
total score: 55.34
Access and community rank: 42
Care and nursing rank: 7
Housing and accommodation rank: 5
6. Irvine, California.
LagunaticPhoto / Shutterstock.com
total score: 53.34
Access and community rank: 40
Care and nursing rank: 1
Housing and accommodation rank: 89
7. Bellevue, WA
mandritoiu / Shutterstock.com
total score: 52.51
Access and community rank: 34
Care and nursing rank: 13
Housing and accommodation rank: 8th
8. Corona, California.
Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com
total score: 51.05
Access and community rank: 74
Care and nursing rank: 3
Housing and accommodation rank: 24
9. Naperville, IL
Steve Cukrov / Shutterstock.com
total score: 49.75
Access and community rank: 17
Care and nursing rank: 21
Housing and accommodation rank: 12
10. Rancho Cucamonga, California
Tim Gray / Shutterstock.com
total score: 49.54
Access and community rank: 3
Care and nursing rank: 17
Housing and accommodation rank: 64
11. Huntington Beach, California
f11photo / Shutterstock.com
total score: 48.84
Access and community rank: 11
Care and nursing rank: 5
Housing and accommodation rank: 152
12. Olathe, KS
Dana Arriaga / Shutterstock.com
total score: 48.82
Access and community rank: 29
Care and nursing rank: 27
Housing and accommodation rank: 6
13. Hidden, CA
Hernando Sorzano / Shutterstock.com
total score: 48.70
Access and community rank: 18
Care and nursing rank: 11
Housing and accommodation rank: 116
14.Richmond, Virginia (tie)
ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
total score: 46.83
Access and community rank: 44
Care and nursing rank: 18
Housing and accommodation rank: 36
14. Springfield, MO (tie)
Tyler Peters / Shutterstock.com
total score: 46.83
Access and community rank: 131
Care and nursing rank: 22
Housing and accommodation rank: 2
methodology
Bacho / Shutterstock.com
We ranked the 200 largest US cities from best (# 1) to worst (# 200) based on their overall scores (out of 100 possible points) averaged over the weighted metrics below.
- Shelters per 100,000 inhabitants
- Cat cafés per 100,000 inhabitants
- Pet shops per 100,000 inhabitants
- Veterinarians per 100,000 population
- Veterinary clinics per 100,000 inhabitants
- Cat sitters per 100,000 residents
- Median Cat Sitter Rate Per Visit
- Average home square footage
- Share of cat-friendly rental apartments
- Pet-friendly hotels per 100,000 inhabitants
- Cat pensions per 100,000 inhabitants
Sources: CatTipper.com, Cat Wisdom 101, Hauspanther, Homes.com, PetSitter.com, Rent.com, Sittercity, TripAdvisor, VCA Animal Hospital, and Yelp.
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, sometimes we get compensation when you click on links in our stories.
Like article