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What’s
your idea of an animal paradise?
If your answer
is 100 acres in the country, you may
want to think again. A rural idyll might
be perfect for some, but you don’t
need to head for the hills to offer
your buddy a healthy, happy place to
live. In fact, many urban centers are
going out of their way to become more
animal-friendly and health-conscious,
and their four-legged citizens are reaping
the rewards.
Over the last three months, we’ve
compiled data on cities across North
America, searching for those that support
the best quality of life for our companions.
Cities of approximately 100,000 people
or more were scrutinized according to
14 criteria and rated on a per capita
basis. Criteria included the number
of veterinarians practicing integrative
medicine (including chiropractic and
acupuncture), air quality and the number
of retailers carrying higher quality
(more nutritional) foods and supplements,
as well as anti-cruelty legislation,
the number of rescues and shelters,
dog parks and beaches, pet sitters,
animal-friendly accommodation and alternative
practitioners such as animal massage
therapists. We hope you enjoy this coast
to coast wellness tour. And don’t
worry if Frida or Fluffy starts packing
her bags – we’re sure she’s
planning on taking you too!
Also view the
cities who
made it into our top 50 |
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10 Cities for Animal Wellness are: |
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#1
- Boulder, Colorado
Top Dog (& Cat) honors go to Boulder,
Colorado. Located at the base of the Flatiron
Mountains, this small city (approx. 100,000
people) is big on animal wellness. If you’re
looking for an integrative veterinarian, this
is the place to find one, with approx. one
for every 3,000 people. High quality pet food?
No problem. The health conscious human population
of Boulder knows how to look after the nutritional
needs of their four-legged friends, too. And
with 30,000 acres of open space surrounding
the city, not to mention the trails and offleash
parks, you and your animals have lots of opportunity
fresh air (which, by the way, is relatively
good) and exercise.
Though we didn’t measure it, it’s
worth noting that Boulder also led the way
in formally recognizing an evolving relationship
with animals. In 2000, it passed legislation
to replace the word pet “owner”
with “guardian”. Since then, the
Boulder newspaper
routinely uses the word guardian in articles
and editorials; the Humane Society of Boulder
Valley uses guardian in their daily language
and in all printed material; and signs erected
by City Staff in dog parks now use the new
terminology. |
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#2
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Blessed with a semi-tropical climate and good
air quality, Fort Lauderdale is a great place
to enjoy outdoor activities with your animal
buddies all year round (just wear your sunscreen).
You’ll have no problem finding veterinary
healthcare that goes beyond the conventional
in this southeastern coastal city. And while
you’re enjoying those fresh Florida
oranges, your companions can chow down on
nutritious foods available from one of the
many higher end retail stores. Though we couldn’t
measure it, no doubt the gentle climate makes
for less stress in the lives of both you and
your animal. |
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#3
- Seattle, Washington
On the other side of the continent, Seattle
animal companions are lapping up a better
quality of life, too. Located on Puget Sound
only 113 miles from the U.S.-Canadian border,
Seattle had only one poor air quality day
in 2002 (the most recent stats available).
In addition, integrative vets are easy to
find, and, judging from the number of pet
sitters and dog walkers, Seattle animal lovers
go out of their way to ensure their buddies
are taken care of when they’re away
or at work. The mild climate means easy access
to lots of recreational fun and the spectacular
mountain and water views are pretty doggone
gorgeous too. |
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#4
- San Francisco, California
The largest city on our list, San Francisco
ranked strongly in most categories. The moderate
climate, walking paths and other outdoor opportunities
make for an active lifestyle that animals
love. San Francisco’s open attitude
to integrated healthcare extends to the animals
within its boundaries, so your companion should
be well taken care of if the need arises.
Incidentally, the Board of Supervisors there
recently passed an ordinance amending city
and county laws to include the “owner
or guardian” of animals, as opposed
to simply the “owner.”
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#5
- Portland, Oregon
Portland is known for being “green”,
so naturally this is a good place for your
fourlegged friends to hang out. If you like
to take Fido jogging, you’ll love Portland’s
exercise trails and its 37,000 acres of parks
in the metro area alone (the 5,000-acre Forest
Park is an urban dweller’s dream). Portland’s
cool progressive outlook draws a wide range
of integrative veterinary practitioners to
its fold, and ensures there are plenty of
places to buy great food for your buddies.
There are a number of animal-friendly restaurants
and cafes so you can watch the world go by
in your best friend’s company, maybe
while enjoying a cold one from one of Portland’s
many micro-breweries. |
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#6
- Denver, Colorado
Denver people, we found out while preparing
this article, are
downright “gushy” about their
animals. The mile-high city ranks
solidly in all categories and its proximity
to wide open spaces and
the cool, dry climate make it a good choice
for animal lovers to put
down roots. The 300+ days of sunshine per
year don’t hurt either! |
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#7 - Sacramento, California
Located in a scenic valley northeast of San
Francisco, California’s capital, Sacramento,
did well based on all our criteria. The mild
temperatures, proximity to fresh water (rivers
& lakes) and acres of parkland make outdoor
adventure a sure thing. |
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#8
- Atlanta, Georgia
The south is known for its hospitality and
Atlanta tops the list when it comes to being
animal-friendly. Recently voted the #1 city
for entrepreneurs, it’s this kind of
independent, progressive thinking that catapults
Atlanta into our Top Ten list. |
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#9
- Greensboro, North Carolina
Centrally located in the heart of North Carolina,
Greensboro is a
mini-mecca of animal wellness. With a variety
of integrative vets
and practitioners, including massage therapists,
as well as pet sitters and
an abundance of retailers selling better quality
food, it’s no wonder
animals would want to live here. |
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#10 - Eugene, Oregon
Eugene describes itself as a city where tie
dye and tuxedos live harmoniously together.
Apparently this harmony extends to our four-legged
friends as well, with a high number of integrative
veterinarians, pet sitters and retailers selling
super premium foods. The mild climate and
scenic location on the Willamette River mean
outdoor activities are fun all year round.
And if we gave out bonus points, Eugene would
get a few for its guide to pet-friendly lodging,
attractions (how about taking a gondola ride
up the mountain with your dog buddy?) and
its off-leash parks. |
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