Cat lovers find themselves in beautiful cities all over the world. However, which cities are the absolute best if you love cats and live in the United States? The answers might surprise you. Let’s take a brief look at the top five as they rank for 2023!
#1 Orlando, Florida: Overall Best City for Cat Lovers
Orlando, Florida ranks number one on the list of best cities for cat lovers.
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If access to cat-friendly pet sitters and boarding options is a must-have for you, Orlando, Florida tops the charts for these accommodations. As of August 2023, this city boasts over 130 boarding facilities for cats and more than 15 cat-friendly certified veterinarians. Not only that, but Rover lists over 200 choices for pet sitter drop-in visits over the weekend! This city also has two cat cafés, like the Orlando Cat Café. A cat café is a place where people can come and enjoy coffee while visiting feline friends that reside there. Sometimes, the cats are up for adoption too!
Orlando also has many shelters/rescues with cats available for adoption. This busy city might not be the most affordable place to live, but there are so many options to help you keep your kitty healthy and happy. Many rentals also graciously allow cats as residents. All these factors combined win Orlando the title of the overall best city for cat lovers.
#2 Knoxville, Tennessee
Cat cafés are all the rage in Knoxville, where you can visit five of them!
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Next up, though even less affordable, is the beautiful city of Knoxville, Tennessee. With 15 Cat-friendly veterinarians and more than 70 feline-loving boarding facilities, this city comes in strong on the list. This city also has several cat-specific rescues, like Happy Paws Kitten Rescue. Knoxville has five cat cafés, also! Rover lists a whopping 320 professionals in Knoxville available for drop-in visits to tend to your feline friend while you’re away. This runner-up to the best city for cat lovers also has many cat-friendly rentals.
#3 Las Vegas, Nevada
A popular tourist destination, Las Vegas also boasts many options for cat lovers to choose from for their feline companions’ care.
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Sin City (Las Vegas, Nevada) might be a place you want to visit, and if you do, be sure to check out one of the five cat cafés found there! With more than 260 boarding options and nearly 550 Rover professionals ready to drop in and take care of kitty, you might wonder why Las Vegas isn’t at the top of the list. They even have 28 veterinary practices listed as cat-friendly. So, what gives? Well, living in this city doesn’t come cheap and many places for rent don’t accept cats. You’ll also find that only a few rescues here specialize in cats. Las Vegas is one of the best cities for cat lovers who travel often.
#4 Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa may be famous for its vineyards, but it’s also a great city for cat lovers!
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With more cat-specific rescues than any other city, Santa Rosa, California claims the title of the best place to adopt a cat. They have many cat rescues, such as Forgotten Felines. This rescue alone lists about 50 cats for adoption at a time. While many places for rent here don’t accept cats, it is the most affordable place on our list. The city also has tons of boarding options, but only one cat-friendly vet and two cat cafés. This is the best city for cat lovers looking for a new feline companion. There are also about 300 Rover professionals available to care for your cat.
#5 St. Louis, Missouri: The Most Expensive, Best City for Cat Lovers
If you need to rent a home with cats, St. Louis has the most cat-friendly rental options.
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The runner-up for the best place to adopt a cat goes to St. Louis, Missouri. While not the best of the best city for cat lovers, St. Louis takes the highest score when it comes to cat-friendly rentals. This city also has 12 cat-friendly veterinarians and two cat cafés. Rover lists 400 professionals ready to drop in and take care of your cat when you go out of town. If you prefer to board, over 120 businesses here list themselves as cat-friendly.
Cats and cat lovers are found in cities all over the world.
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Final Thoughts
While many cities in the United States offer amazing opportunities for cat lovers, these five are the cream of the crop. Despite its placement at only 17 on the list, Alabama Public Radio published an article stating that perhaps Birmingham, Alabama was the best city for cat lovers. Their article references the LawnStarter study that has published the best cities for cat lovers rankings for the last three years. The way they determine where a city ranks for cat lovers follows a not-so-simple system. The company ranked the largest 200 cities in the country based on access to cats, availability of care for cats, housing that accepts cats, and affordability overall. However, after looking at the numbers, Birmingham just doesn’t measure up to the top five. What city do you think is the best for cat lovers?
