Bad news for New York City pet owners: the Big Apple is barking up the wrong tree when it comes to being animal-friendly.
A new 2026 “Pawprint Index” ranking of 49 major US cities placed New York 39th, near the bottom of the pack, according to a new study by MetLife Pet Insurance.
According to data on walkability, dog parks, veterinary access, pet-friendly businesses and rentals that allow pets, Tampa took the top spot as America’s most pet-friendly place. Atlanta and Austin rounded out the top three.
New York joined mega-cities Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston, ranked 34th, 37th and 38th respectively, in a surprising trend: bigger cities aren’t necessarily better for pets.
Where you live shapes a pet’s daily life. A walkable block, a friendly neighborhood vet, or a landlord who welcomes Tigger and Fido can make a city feel pet-friendly.
While the Big Apple may be a paradise for people, the study suggests it’s a far tougher place for dogs, cats — and the humans who love them.
One of New York’s biggest weak spots was access to veterinarians.
The city tied for last place nationally with just 1.2 highly-rated veterinary clinics per 100,000 residents, putting it alongside El Paso at the bottom of that category.
Chicago and Houston also struggled with vet availability.
NYC did score a major win for walkability, tying San Francisco for the highest score in the country.
At the top of the list, Tampa pulled ahead of the competition thanks to a combination of abundant veterinarians, pet-friendly businesses and rentals that welcome furry tenants.
At the other end of the spectrum, Fresno, Calif. finished dead last at 49, with Memphis close behind at 48 and El Paso taking the third worst spot at No. 47.
The study found that no single city dominated every category. Some excelled in dog parks, others in rentals or veterinary care.
But the overall takeaway was clear: when it comes to creating a pet-friendly environment, infrastructure matters.
