Happy Wednesday Furiends,
We are a bit tired of the weather here in our neck of the woods. One day it rains, one day it’s 45 degrees and then the next morning it snows. Oliver, Lily and I have just about had enough of this! During one of his frequent work naps, Oliver dreamed of what it might be like if we each escaped to a climate that was more enjoyable.

It’s a warm beach and a catnip cocktail for this fancy feline!

We decided to dedicate this week’s information on places that you and your humans might want to consider if the weather in your neck of the woods is getting on your nerves. So, how is the weather in your neck of the woods? Where would you purrfer to be?

32 top US cities to have a cat

This feline would argue that any city or town is a good place to have a cat but if your humans are considering a move, please have them read this before they make any decisions.

These cities rank highly when it comes to quality vet care and the number of rental properties that will be all too happy to let you and your kitty set up home.

Is your city feline furiendly?

1. Orlando, Florida

Orlando frequently tops the list for being the best US city to live in if you have a cat. The reason Orlando ranks so highly is because of the number of cat sitters and boarding options it has, making it a great location if you’re looking for a trustworthy human to look after your fur friend when you’re away.

2. Alexandria, Virginia

Known for its brick sidewalks and 18th and 19th-century buildings, Alexandria is popular with cat lovers and has a reputation for being incredibly pet-friendly. Named a Better City for Pets in 2022, the city has ample cat-friendly housing, good vet clinics, and an excellent animal shelter. And if your cat needs a break from their busy lifestyle, they also recently opened the Happy Cat Hotel and Spa with luxury hotel rooms for your feline friend, as well as enrichment activities throughout the day using a range of fun cat toys, and even room service!

3. Knoxville, Tennessee

With 15 cat-friendly vets and a whopping 70 feline-loving boarding facilities, Knoxville takes their love of cats very, very seriously indeed. They also have a range of rescue centers that deal specifically with cats, and they even have not one but five cat cafes-meowza! 

4. Tucson, Arizona

According to research carried out by Forbes, Tucson is definitely a place you want to consider living if you have a cat. They have the third highest concentration of vet offices in the country, plus cat owners in Tucson pay the 10th lowest amount for cat and kitten vaccinations, spay and neuter surgeries, vet check-ups, and dental cleaning. The city is also home to the 16th largest concentration of pet stores, so there are plenty of options when it’s time for your humans to shop for you.

5. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas ranks high on the list, largely due to the more than 260 boarding options it offers, not to mention the 550+ registered professionals who will be only too happy to step up and catsit when your humans go out of town. It also has five cat cafes.

6. Tallahassee, Florida

The city is home to the famous Fat Cat Cafe (not all the cats there are CHONKY, there are cats of all shapes and sizes to choose from!) and have so far managed to find more than 1,300 felines their new forever home. Plus, they also run a cat bookstore and the best bit? They take cats to the homes of senior citizens who can’t make it to the cafe for a cudde.

7. St Louis, Missouri

When it comes to the best US cities to have a cat, St Louis frequently ranks in the top 10. It has an abundance of affordable cat-friendly rentals to choose from, a high number of animal shelters and vet clinics, several cat cafes and plenty of cat sitters who are ready to drop in and take care of youj whenever your humans are out of town.

8. Santa Rosa, California

If living amongst the vineyards appeals to you, and your humans are wine lovers, Santa Rosa is one of the best places to head.  They have one of the most successful feline adoption programs in the country and a ton of boarding options, plus they score highly when it comes to cat sitters too.

9. Richmond, Virginia

Access to animal shelters, the number of vet clinics and cat sitters, and the amount of cat-friendly, affordable housing are just some of the factors that make this feline-loving city so appealing.

10. Salem, Massachusetts

Many of Salem’s hotels and inns will be all too happy to accommodate you and your human which makes it a great to visit if you’re not going to move there. You can even join your humans on a walking tour if you are a leash strolling feline. There are also some stunning cat friendly green spaces too.  There are plenty of cat-friendly long-term rentals on offer and lots of vet clinics in the area.

11. Escondido, California

Settled in a long valley in the coastal mountains of Southern California, Escondido is a brilliant place to live if you’re a cat. On top of all that sunshine, the city ranks highly across the board for everything from the number of vet clinics and cat rescue centers to pet-friendly housing and cat cafes.

12. Kansas City, Missouri

As well as being home to two cat-friendly hotels, Kansas City has the eighth-highest percentage of cat-friendly apartments in the country. The city also has several attractions that will allow cats on at least part of the premises.

The Nelson Atkins Art Museum is more than happy for locals to walk their adventurous felines on their and the 75-acre Loose Park is another great spot for feline exercising. Plus, Kansas City also ranks third in the country for cat veterinary costs with lower fees on checkups, vaccinations, and dental cleaning.

13. Scottsdale, Arizona

If you fancy the desert and lots of sun (and we felines love sun puddles) Scottsdale really is the cat’s meow. When it comes to cat supply stores, vet clinics, animal shelters, and all-round feline-friendliness amongst the residents, Scottsdale consistently ranks amongst the best cities in the US to have a cat.

14. Atlanta, Georgia

The fact that some call it  Catlanta should give you an idea that this city is feline furiendly. With the highest number of cat-friendly rental properties in the country, Atlanta is incredibly fond of felines, and that’s not the only thing it has going for it. It’s also home to the Cotton States Cat Club, which puts on an annual show, and the adorable Furkids Rescue Shelter and Sanctuary, where children can visit and read to any one of their many feline residents.

15. Fort Collins, Colorado

Just a short distance north of Denver is the historic city of Fort Collins. It’s also home to Wagz Pet Market & Grooming, a shop filled to the brim with the best dry cat food, treats, toys, and accessories, plus, they offer a full-service grooming salon where you can be bathed and brushed, have your nails clipped and even yo0ur ears cleaned! And if you’re an adventure cat and like to hike with your human, there’s no better place to hit the trails than this delightful mountain city.

16. Tampa, Florida

Home to the popular Cats & Caffeine Cafe, where your human can enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a cuddle with a rescue kitty at the same time (if they’re not getting enough love at home, Tampa is well known for being super feline-friendly. In fact, so much so, that the St. Clement’s Episcopal Church even offers cat-friendly Sundays on the third Sunday of every month where you can attend with your humans. All cats receive treats and a blessing!

17. Dayton, Ohio

Dayton is a cat loving place. Gem City Kitties is a nonprofit organization that works alongside the Gem City Cat cafe and together the two connect adoptable rescue cats with forever families as well as running classes and workshops to educate the community.

In 2021, they also opened Gem City Vets, a low-cost clinic for low-income families which helps to ensure that everyone can own a happy and healthy cat no matter their financial status.

18. Savannah, Georgia

A coastal Georgia city known for its manicured lawns, antebellum architecture, and cobblestone squares, Savannah is bursting at the seams with breathtaking beauty. It has plenty of cat-friendly rental accommodations, and is home to the Skidaway Island Skate Park where adventurous felines have been known to trot happily alongside their humans on the various trails.

Plus, if you’ve just moved to the city (or fancy getting reacquainted with it), Old Savannah Tours will let you coke along with your human on their trolley tour, and Adventure Tours in Motion will attach a basket to the front of your e-bike so your can ride along with with your human and tour the city.

19. Tacoma, Washington

The famous Mount Rainier looms over Tacoma, WA at sunset

A beautiful city that sits on the banks of Puget Sound just south of Seattle, Tacoma is a fantastic place to live with a cat — especially if you and your feline friend are both the active, outdoorsy types. There are a ton of stunning hiking trails on the outskirts of the city, and Tacoma itself is home to Grit City Kitty, a fantastic cat boarding and cat sitting service that allows you to breathe easy knowing that someone can be there for your pet when you can’t be.

20. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Florida as a state ranks amongst the best for those with cats, so it’s no surprise that Fort Lauderdale is often cited as being a great city for cat lovers. They have the fifth highest concentrations of cat sitters in the country and are second when it comes to boarding options making it a brilliant place for your human to base themself if they often travel for work.

There are also plenty of parks and beaches in the area that will quite happily accept feline visitors as long as they’re kept on a leash.

21. Birmingham, Alabama

A study conducted in 2021 by PetListed had Birmingham placed in the number one spot in the country for the best US city to own a cat. While a few years may have passed since then, they continue to rank extremely high across every important category, including the amount of cat-friendly housing available (81% of properties in the city will accept cats), the number of AAFP-certified cat veterinary practices, the abundance of local animal shelters and welfare groups, and the number of pet stores selling cat products.

22. Austin, Texas

The Lone Star state got a very special award in 2023 when leading real estate marketplace company, Zillow, named Austin as the most pet-friendly city in the country for renters.

A very cool 80% of properties in the city will allow you and your human to move in. And that’s not all Austin has going for it, it’s also home to an impressive six cat cafes and 247 veterinary service locations, so you’re guaranteed that you and your health and well-being will be a top priority.

23. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

There is no shortage of rental properties that will accept you and your human, plus you’ll find a wide selection of cat cafes that will let your human get coffee and a kitty fix if you’re not spending enough time with them. Maybe they’ll even find you a furry roommate.

The Cattfeinated Cafe is well worth a visit — not only are there plenty of adorable adoptable cats to pet, but they also have a cat boutique where your human can purchase merchandise for you and a thrift shop with profits benefiting the local animal rescue.

24. Miami, Florida

Based on Lily’s dream of the purrfect place Miami would suit her fine, The Human not so much because she prefers mountains to beaches.  But if your human likes the beach then this city is great, ranking highly across every category including cat-friendly properties, number of cat adoptions, number of pet stores that stock cat products, number of vets, and number of cat cafes. Plus there’s an abundance of professional pet sitters and boarding options.

25. Minneapolis, Minnesota

A vibrant and cat-friendly city known for its parks and lakes, Minneapolis offers plenty of opportunities for you and your human to get out and about together and explore. Get caffeinated at The Cafe Meow, or why not visit one of the many cat gear and grooming stores in the city center? Plus, there are some great cat trainers and behaviorists who’ll be more than happy to help with any cat behavior problems (not that you have any, mind you, but just in case). And there are lots of lovely green spaces for you and your human to relax in when the weather is good.

26. Denver, Colorado

Denver is on track to become one of the most cat-loving cities in the country, with 2020 seeing them take the title for the highest number of cat adoptions of any US city. The Denver Cat Company is well worth a visit — not only do they serve great coffee and facilitate finding rescue cats new homes, they also offer some super fun activities, like a tarot card reading given by a cat and art and craft classes where all the feline residents join in. There are plenty of great hikes in the area too, plus lots of other options for outdoor activities, so if you’re an adventure cat, you’ll love calling Denver home.

27. Salt Lake City, Utah

If your human likes scenic mountain views and a vibrant local culture with people who are incredibly pet-friendly, then Salt Lake City is a great place to put down roots. It consistently appears in the top 10 best US cities to have a cat across a range of different surveys with plenty of cat-friendly accommodation, community cat rescue and adoption programs, quality vet care and some gorgeous hiking trails for those days when you and your human just want to get away from it all.

28. Dallas, Texas

Apart from having the perfect climate for window perching, Dallas is one of the first cities in the country to receive the BETTER CITY FOR PETS™ certification, as part of the Mars Petcare BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ program — a certification that honors the city’s ongoing commitment to creating a pet-friendly community. No surprise then that Dallas currently ranks second in the country for cat-friendly rental accommodation and they’ve also just opened the very adorably named Whiskers and Soda cat cafe.

29. Cincinnati, Ohio

Not only is Cincinnati kind on your wallet (they have some of the lowest vet costs, pet-care provider costs, and pet insurance premiums in the country) but there are also 39 cat-friendly assisted living facilities in the area for seniors who are looking for more daily support but who don’t want to have to say goodbye to their beloved fur friend.

30. Riverside, California

A popular area to put down roots for families and young professionals, Riverside is a cat-friendly city known for its abundance of cafes and parks. They rank highly for their animal shelters and welfare groups and have plenty of rental options that will happily accept you and your human. The vet care in the area is also good and you’ll find plenty of hiking options on your doorstep if you and your human fancy a day out on the trails.

31. Portland, Oregon

Pet-friendly Portland has a plethora of parks and natural spaces that will happily welcome you (if you don’t mind being on a leash) and your human. Many of the city’s beloved breweries will also let you hang out with your human on the patio, and there’s no problem finding quality rental options that will accept your feline renters.

There are also close to 300 different vet clinics to choose from and with more than 60% of residents owning a pet of some kind, you’ll find the locals to be incredibly animal-friendly.

32. Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro is one of the best cities in the US to have a cat when it comes to feline-friendly rentals, with more than 85% of the accommodation options in the city welcoming cats. The Crooked Tail Cat Cafe was also the first of its kind to open in North Carolina and the city ranks well for quality vet care.