States with highest, lowest pet ownership

The American Veterinary Medical Association recently released its U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook.

By Vetstreet Jan 21, 2013 6:30PM

Residents of Vermont are the most likely to have pets, according to a new survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Washington, D.C., a territory, had the smallest percentage of pet owners.

Although the survey didn’t collect information on why some states had higher rates of pet ownership, the findings indicate the type of dwelling — rural vs. urban — played a role, a spokesman said.

The top 10 pet-owning states are:

Vermont 70.8 percent of households owned a pet

New Mexico 67.6 percent

South Dakota 65.6 percent

Oregon 63.6 percent

Maine 62.9 percent

Washington 62.7 percent

Arkansas 62.4 percent

West Virginia 62.1 percent

Idaho 62 percent

Wyoming 61.8 percent

The 10 states in 2011 with the lowest percentage of pet-owning households are:

Rhode Island 53 percent

Minnesota 53 percent

California 52.9 percent

Maryland 52.3 percent

Illinois 51.8 percent

Nebraska 51.3 percent

Utah 51.2 percent

New Jersey 50.7 percent

New York 50.6 percent

Massachusetts 50.4 percent.

The District of Columbia had a far lower rate of pet ownership at 21.9 percent.

The report also looks at the health of pets across the country.

“Unfortunately, the report reveals that fewer dogs and cats are seeing the veterinarian regularly, and that’s something that the AVMA and every companion animal veterinarian are concerned about," said Dr. Douglas G. Aspros, president of the AVMA. "Pet owners across the country need to remember to bring their pets into the veterinarian – at least once a year – to maintain optimal health.”

The AVMA is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world.

Source: AVMA

Bing: Most popular pets.

— Read it at ABC News

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24Comments

Best

Jan 21, 2013 9:55PM

We are people who love our dog. So we like to keep health care up. I've done well, and on the edge of retiring in the next few years I don't feel pressured by the expense of caring for our 8 year old Golden Retriever. So imagine my shock when we had a "well dog" annual physical a couple of weeks ago, with the few recommended shots, and some pills for dry skin and some for allergies, with one booster shot a couple of weeks later. Almost FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS!! And our dog, a regular jogger with us, on a healthy diet, is well and healthy.

If that is what we are being charged for a well dog annual, I can't imagine how most Americans can possibly afford to pay for the medical care of their animals.

I saw an article yesterday in which a Sharpei/Pitbull mix was hit by a car, and the owner said to let her die. The police who found her formed a collection and had surgery for her broken elbow and fractured ribs done. They were heroes in my book and the owner probably shouild have been "put down". But then I noticed the price for the surgery..... $13,500.

Suppose this was your dog. How long would it take you to pay off $13,500 for the price of a surgery for your dog?

Maybe instead of Obamacare we should have gotten universal dog and cat care. I might have voted for that.

Previous replies

Tiqqer0013

Jan 21, 2013 9:49PM

Veterinarians are as bad as people doctors with how much they charge for their services. I don't take my pets to the vet unless it's something I can't deal with on my own.
Although I have found a vet that is old fashioned in his costs but provides top notch vet care. He's a rarity these days though. He really likes animals. A lot of vets these days are just doing it for the money.

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simontree

Jan 21, 2013 10:12PM

I guess it's easy for the AVMA to say they're worried about the number of pet owners not taking their pets to the vet.. They're not the ones who have to pay the $200.00 or more bill for shots and the exam!!

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naturegirl77

Jan 21, 2013 10:02PM

The vets I’ve dealt with are the equivalent of dentists for humans, or auto repair shops. I would go in to have the pet’s nails cut and end up being told it needs $1000 worth of x-rays, shots & blood tests. This actually happened 3 times at 3 different vets (with two indoor rabbits & 1 indoor cat). I heard them telling other pet-parents the exact same thing…just their way of bleeding you dry and making you think that your pets are sickly when they are perfectly fine. I pamper my pets and of course would rush them to a vet at any sign of a problem. I also think it is useful to have pet insurance. But, taking pets to the vet for random routine checkups can be very un-necessary and costly – unless you have a trustworthy vet who isn’t trying to rip you off. And I’m assuming that anyone who gives this post a thumbs-down is a blood sucking vet who cares all about money, and not about the actual animals.

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catlady4ever3

Jan 21, 2013 10:12PM

I have enjoyed the company of cats for more than 30 years. When I started welcoming these angels into my home, I did the annual vet visits and follow-ups. Cost me a fortune, but sad to say that all that loving attention did not extend their lives. I no longer can afford that level of dedicated pet care. Happy to add that the average lifespan of my most recent companions is longer than those who received all that vet attention. It's a crapshoot, but given what vets charge, one I have to take. Working out so far.

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Felando Thigpen

Jan 21, 2013 9:44PM

Washington DC and Northern Virginia has limited space for pets in part because there are not as many places to walk them unlike areas such as Texas and Mississippi where population density is far less. Pets are wonderful, and more people should get them.

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Someone (ab55)

Jan 21, 2013 9:34PM

I admit I am one of those pet owners that cannot afford to take their dog to the vet. I do get her rabies & distemper shots @ petco. When she is not feeling well we do home remendies. She is 12 years old & never has been sick maybe 2 cases of diaraha in 12 yrs.

Now she is just getting older, getting fatty moles on her, but we also do home remendies to get rid of them. We shave around it get hair off, clean it w/ proxide, dry & change the duct tape once a week, its takes a couple of months to get rid of, but they do go away. When it is practially gone I start to us neosporin on it.

I think there needs to be some type of control over the Vet charges, so we can keep our pets healthy. My last 2 dogs lived to old age & rarely sick at all, really nothing to take her to the vet, we are really, really lucky.

With price control the vet's will start seeing alot more patients its as simple as that, case by case. We did have a pet one time that came down with diabetes, I took her to my regular vet he told me 1200.00 to get it under control and kept her for about 5 days. I was going to have my dog put to sleep, there was just know way I could affort that. So I got on the phone called quite a few vets in my area explaining I cannot afford it I could not stop crying, one Vet told me to come right in he kept her 2 nights & started her on insulin & only charged me 150.00 & allowed me to make payments no interest. How nice is that a Vet that truly cares about the animal's welfare. I did use this Vet for many years later until he moved out of the area.

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retiredwonk

Jan 21, 2013 9:40PM

Ummm, Washington D.C. is not a territory. It's citizens, however, do not have congressional representation....hence, the motto on its vehicle license plates...Taxation Without Representation.