Asheville, known for its picturesque mountain scenery and its vibrant outdoor culture, now adds a new accolade to its list: it has established itself as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the United States. 

According to the latest LawnStarter study, Asheville It ranks second among 500 cities in the country, thanks to its commitment to creating spaces and services designed for the well-being of pets. 

This report, released in the context of National Dog Day, assesses how cities are responding to the needs of dogs and their owners, based on five key categories: Community, Care, Business, Affordability and Housing.

Pets in North Carolina 

>>> Affordable Pet Clinic in Asheville

Factor analysis

The study, conducted with support from respected organizations such as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Animal Legal & Historical Center, looked at a variety of factors to determine how well cities are adapting to the needs of pets and their owners.

Criteria included key aspects such as the dogs' quality of life, from the availability of veterinary services and trainers, to the number of shelters and public spaces where pets can run free.

Also, the affordability of services and the size of the green areas available in the homes, crucial for canine well-being, were taken into account.

Aid in NC 

>>> What to do when a pet dies?

Asheville, prominent in multiple areas

Asheville shined in multiple areas, standing out for its abundance of veterinarians, dog trainers, daycares and dog walkers, as well as its large number of animal shelters and dog parks. 

But what really makes Asheville stand out is its inclusive approach to pets in daily city life.

In most restaurants and cafes, it is common to find dog water bowls and treats, reflecting a culture deeply committed to the well-being of their four-legged companions.

Additionally, Asheville offers extensive outdoor areas that are ideal for dog-friendly walks.

The trails of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and local parks are essential for dogs to exercise and socialize in a safe, natural environment.

Another aspect that stands out in the city is its commitment to sustainability: it has numerous pet waste stations on trails, squares and parks, helping to keep public spaces clean and attractive for both residents and tourists traveling with their dogs. 

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Cities  in United States

These are the top 10 cities in the ranking, which lists a total of 500 cities in the country:

1. Scottsdale, Ariz.  

2. Asheville, North Carolina  

3. Santa Fe, New Mexico  

4. Tucson, Arizona  

5. Santa Monica, California  

6. Orlando, Fla.  

7. Bend, Oregon  

8. Wilmington, North Carolina  

9. Fort Myers, Florida  

10 Austin, Texas

Hiking in North Carolina 

>>> Backpacking: Backpacking Adventure in Western North Carolina

Other notable cities in North Carolina 

In addition to Asheville, Wilmington also made the top 10, coming in at No. 8, thanks to its strong ranking for pet care.

Raleigh and Charlotte also rank among the most dog-friendly cities in the state, ranking 22nd and 79th, respectively.

Durham ranked 125th, standing out for its affordability and pet-friendly housing options.

Related>>  More than just healing pets: Arlene Jiménez takes her caring vocation on wheels and in Spanish

Keys to dog-friendly cities 

Resident Animal Behavior Specialist Michael Khan, a fellow in the Animal Behavior Fellowship program at North Carolina State University, offered his perspective on how cities can be made more dog-friendly.

According to Khan, it all depends on adequate infrastructure and public policies that ensure the well-being of both dogs and their owners.

“Dog-friendly cities must prioritize safety and cleanliness,” Khan said.

“This includes building sufficient sidewalks and paths with accessible pet waste receptacles. Businesses that want to attract dog owners can also install stations with water bowls and treats to make pets feel comfortable.”

Khan stressed the importance of vaccination laws in maintaining a healthy community, a key measure to protect both dogs and people in cities.

Ask the LawnStarter Study Here

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Asheville is the second most dog-friendly city in the United States

by Patricia Serrano, Enlace Latino NC
August 30, 2024

Enlace Latino NCAugust 30, 2024 Asheville, known for its picturesque mountain scenery and vibrant outdoor culture, now adds a new accolade to its list: it has established itself as one of the most dog-friendly cities in the United States. According to the most recent LawnStarter study, Asheville ranks second out of 500 cities in the country, thanks to its commitment to creating spaces and services designed for the well-being of pets. This report, released in the context of National Dog Day, assesses how cities are responding to the needs of dogs and their owners, based on five key categories: Community, care, business, affordability, and housing. Pets in North Carolina >>> Affordable pet clinic in Asheville Factor analysis The study, conducted with the support of respected organizations such as the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and the Animal Legal & Historical Center, analyzed a variety of factors to determine how well cities adapt to the needs of pets and their owners. The criteria included key aspects such as the quality of life of the dogs, from the availability of veterinary services and trainers, to the number of shelters and public spaces where pets can run free. Also taken into account was the affordability of services and the size of green areas available in homes, crucial for canine well-being. Aid in NC >>> What to do when a pet dies? Asheville, outstanding in multiple areas Asheville excelled in multiple areas, standing out for its abundance of veterinarians, dog trainers, daycares and dog walkers, as well as its large number of animal shelters and special dog parks. But what really makes Asheville stand out is its inclusive approach to pets in the city's daily life. In most restaurants and cafes, it is common to find dog water bowls and treats, reflecting a culture deeply committed to the well-being of their four-legged companions. Additionally, Asheville offers extensive outdoor areas that are ideal for dog-friendly walks. The trails of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and local parks are essential for dogs to exercise and socialize in a safe, natural environment. Another aspect that stands out in the city is its commitment to sustainability: it has numerous pet waste stations along trails, squares and parks, helping to keep public spaces clean and attractive for both residents and tourists traveling with their dogs. The top 10 most dog-friendly cities in the United States These are the top 10 cities in the ranking, which lists a total of 500 cities in the country: 1. Scottsdale, Arizona 2. Asheville, North Carolina 3. Santa Fe, New Mexico 4. Tucson, Arizona 5. Santa Monica, California 6. Orlando, Florida 7. Bend, Oregon 8. Wilmington, North Carolina 9. Fort Myers, Florida 10. Austin, Texas Hiking in North Carolina >>> Backpacking: Backpacking Adventure in Western North Carolina Other notable cities in North Carolina In addition to Asheville, Wilmington also secured a spot in the top 10, ranking number 8, thanks to its strong ranking in pet care. Raleigh and Charlotte also rank among the most dog-friendly cities in the state, taking the 22nd and 79th spots, respectively. Durham, meanwhile, reached 125th place, standing out for its affordability and pet-friendly housing options. Related>> More than just healing pets: Arlene Jiménez takes her caring vocation on wheels and in Spanish Keys to making cities more dog-friendly Specialist Michael Khan, a resident in the Animal Behavior Specialization program at North Carolina State University, offered his perspective on how cities can be more dog-friendly. According to Khan, everything depends on adequate infrastructure and public policies that ensure the well-being of both dogs and their owners. "Dog-friendly cities must prioritize safety and cleanliness," Khan said. "This includes building sufficient sidewalks and trails with accessible pet waste receptacles. Also, businesses that want to attract dog owners can set up stations with water bowls and treats to make pets feel comfortable." Khan emphasized the importance of vaccination laws in maintaining a healthy community, a key measure to protect both dogs and people in cities. See the LawnStarter Study here This article first appeared onEnlace Latino NCand is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License . PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: "https://enlacelatinonc.org/asheville-la-segunda-ciudad-mas-amigable-para-perros-en-estados-unidos/", urlref: window.location.href }); } }

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