French bulldogs, who were named top dog for 2022 and in 2023, returned to the head of the pack for the past year, 2024, as more people are choosing them for their small size, which makes them suitable for apartment living, according to the AKC.
With nearly 3,000 native animal species and millions of pets in households across the country that rely on our support to survive, the non-profit organization SmileHub today released new reports on the Best Charities for Animals and the Best States for Animals in 2024.
In order to determine where America’s wildlife and animal companions live their best lives, SmileHub compared the animal-friendliness of all 50 states across 18 key metrics. The data set ranges from the share of pet-owning households to state land designated for parks and wildlife to vulnerability to climate change.
Best States
Worst States
1. Colorado
41. Alaska
2. Oregon
42. California
3. Vermont
43. Delaware
4. Indiana
44. Massachusetts
5. Kansas
45. Connecticut
6. Missouri
46. New Mexico
7. Idaho
47. New York
8. Tennessee
48. Alabama
9. Florida
49. Maryland
10. Nebraska
50. Hawaii
Key Stats
California has the most animal charities per capita, 8.5 times more than Delaware, which has the fewest.
New Hampshire has the most veterinarians per 1,000 pet-owning households, 2.8 times higher than Arkansas, which has the fewest.
Alaska has the most state land designated for parks and wildlife, 61.6 times more than Kansas, which has the least.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to arrange a phone, video or in-studio interview with one of our experts. Full data sets for specific states are also available upon request.
Thrillist offers this great guide to traveling with your dog.
Hitting the open road with your dog promises a journey of unfiltered joy, bonding, and exploration. As those with pets already know, something special happens when you loosen the leash and just let your dog lead the way. In Best Dog Days, we’re diving into the wild world of pet-friendly travel by uncovering canine-welcoming hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and leash-free adventures that promise only tail-wagging good times for both you and your companion. So, pack up the car, strap in your pup, and let the hijinks, howls, and happy memories begin.
Being well-prepared often results in a happy trip, and that’s especially the case with a dog in tow. By following the expert guidance below, you can ensure that your drive is safe, comfortable, and full of fun memories.
Safety first
Ensure that your dog is securely secured with an appropriate harness and seat belt attachment. Consider adding a booster seat to your vehicle for smaller dogs to make them more visible and reduce anxiety, or opt for crash-tested crate protection that ensures your dog remains safe from being thrown around in the car.
“My dogs always ride in third-party, crash-tested carriers by companies such as Sleepypod, Gunner, or Diggs,” says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer and American Kennel Club CGC evaluator. “Many products on the market say they are crash-tested, but actually fail third-party crash testing. You can view companies that pass on the Center for Pet Safety’s website, a third-party company that any company uses to test their pet products.”
Verify that your dog's collar is equipped with valid identification tags that display your contact information. If your dog has been microchipped, ensure that your contact information is current with the chip's registry. And in case of an emergency or unexpected vet visit, ensure that you have copies of your dog's vaccination certificates and other necessary medical papers.
Lastly, if you’re going to be spending a lot of time outdoors, there is preventative medicine available to guard pets from fleas and ticks, including topicals and chewable tablets. Having a tick removal tool is great to have on hand.
Pet care on the go
Taking your dog on a summer road trip requires some extra attention to their health and well-being, especially with the potential for high temperatures and unfamiliar environments.
“I recommend taking short trips beforehand to see how your dog reacts in the car,” advises Dr. Lisa Lippman, a veterinarian with Bond Vet, a veterinary clinic with locations in multiple cities. “Planning ahead is key, especially if you need to get medications for anxiety or motion sickness as those can take time to adjust.”
Pre-trip vet visit
Schedule a checkup with your veterinarian before departure. Ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and has any necessary parasite prevention medication for the locations you'll be visiting, especially wooded areas. Discuss with your vet any concerns about car sickness or anxiety, and get recommendations for remedies.
Lippman notes that there is an FDA-approved drug called Cerenia to treat motion sickness and vomiting in both dogs and cats, and there are other options your vet can recommend to you as well.
Hydration and nutrition
Offer your dog plenty of water throughout the journey. Refill a water bottle for your collapsible bowl at rest stops. You can also offer small, healthy snacks to keep your dog's energy levels up and prevent car sickness. Stick to your dog's regular feeding schedule and avoid overfeeding or introducing new foods that could upset their stomach.
During rest stops, ensure your dog has ample shade and access to fresh water. Consider using a cooling vest or mat to help regulate their body temperature and prevent overheating.
First aid kit
Assemble a pet-specific first aid kit with essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and any medications your dog requires. Include a pet-safe sunscreen for exposed areas like noses and ears. For more details, Dr. Lippman has assembled a downloadable guide to pet emergency kit essentials.
Here is a wonderful interview article on Bodega cats. For those of you not familiar with these felines, they are part of the family of small family groceries called bodgeas. They prowl the aisles and make sure that there are no pests around. Michelladonna, a TikTok NYC sensation has recently video'd many of these beloved cats as reported in Gothamist:
Here is an excerpt:
One of the stars in the world of “animal content” is “Shop Cats,” a local show in which host and Ridgewood native Michelladonna employs her charm and wit to speak to shop managers and locals about their beloved neighborhood felines. A typical video gets around 1 million views on TikTok and hundreds of effusive comments.
The series launched in September 2024 and has quickly taken off on TikTok and Instagram. Its followers in New York and abroad come for the cats and stay for the whimsy. Over the course of an episode's 90-second runtime, viewers are transported to a bodega cat's universe of shelves and produce, while shopkeepers and patrons tell stories about their own relationships with the neighborhood pets.
The show is produced by Mad Realities, a production company focused on internet videos.
Gothamist spoke with Ma and the rest of creative team behind Shop Cats — creative producer Drew Rosenthal and host Michelladonna — about conceiving their show, going viral, paying tribute to New York City and more. Below is an edited version of their conversation.
The first viral video I saw from Shop Cats was ofKiki the cat. Did you guys have a moment when you knew this was going to take off?
Rosenthal:Kiki's our most viral video. I think it's over 6 million views between all platforms right now, and that was the first thing we ever shot for the show. She’s my local bodega cat on the corner right next to where I live, and I see her pretty much every day.
A day after we posted the first episode it was at 200,000 views and we already had over 10,000 followers on TikTok. That ratio of viewers to people hitting the follow button was crazy. I’ve never seen that before and I've made lots of viral content, which really goes to show that people were waiting for this.
Has there been anything that surprised you about going so viral so quickly?
Michelladonna: As a New Yorker, you get on a train, someone starts staring at you, we're gonna have a problem, right? Now, I have to think about it: Are you looking at me because you want to fight or because you want to talk about how cute cats are? [laughs]
Rosenthal: It takes a little bit of time to like mic up and get settled for our shoots, 15 minutes. Now, there's consistently at least a couple people in that time that are like, "Are you the shop cats lady?" We were about to start shooting in front of a store the other day, and a truck driver passed by, rolled down the window and started shouting, “Is that the cat lady?”
I’m sure the requests are flooding in. How are you covering the rest of the cats of the city?
Ma: Everyone wants us to go see their cat. When people DM us or leave comments we're listening — when people tag us in Tiktok videos, like, “Go see this store manager” — we put them on a map for ourselves, and when we shoot, we go and check the map and just drop by. That’s been a big part of it. The community is kind of sharing where they want us to go. There’s also something that we launched recently, the first-ever cat mayor election of New York City.
Rosenthal: When we first made this show, a big question was, “Are there even enough cats in New York City to film? Are we going to run out of cats?” Right now, we have roughly 450 cats on our internal map.
When we accept a DM that's like, “Hey, you gotta check out this cat at this intersection,” 90% of the time they also have pictures and videos locked and loaded. There's no limit to the types of cat stories that we can tell on this platform. There’s just endless possibilities, and we're never going to run out of cats to film.
Your pets are members of the family, so you want to ensure they are happy and healthy. From vaccines and checkups to diet and exercise, caring for a pet is a big responsibility. However, pet care does not have to be stressful. The recommendations for keeping your furry friends safe and healthy are straightforward.
1. Stay Up To Date On Vaccinations
Both dogs and cats need current vaccines to keep them safe from various diseases. These vaccines include rabies, parvo, distemper and panleukopenia. In addition, cats need feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus and feline herpesvirus vaccines. The vaccines should be updated every few years, such as every one to three years for your dog's rabies vaccines.
2. Schedule Regular Veterinarian Checkups
Just like their human friends, pets need regular checkups with the doctor to ensure they are doing well. A veterinarian will perform a physical exam, checking everything from their ears to their teeth. Wellness exams also allow you to ask questions or share concerns about your pet, such as a change in their appetite or recent ailments such as itching and scratching.
3. Look Into Parasite Prevention
It only takes one bite from a parasite to make your pet irritated or sick. Fortunately, there are oral and topical medications for preventing fleas, ticks, heartworms, and other parasites. You can also work with your veterinarian to find the right treatment for ongoing issues, such as fleas and ticks from playing outdoors.
4. Have Them Spayed or Neutered
Having your pet spayed or neutered does more than prevent unwanted pregnancies and heat cycles. It also prevents diseases that could be fatal, such as pyometra in female dogs and cats. Pyometra affects unspayed animals and quickly progresses if left untreated. Spaying your pet prevents the expensive surgery or tragedy that can come from pyometra.
5. Pay Attention For Signs of Illness
Pets cannot verbally tell you when something is wrong, so you need to pay attention to signs of illness. Lethargy, decreased appetite, excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, and labored breathing are signs that something is off with your pet. Fortunately, you can look into pet insurance and other financing options to help you prepare for emergencies.
6. Maintain A Healthy Diet
Overweight pets are at risk for injuries and diseases, from aching joints to diabetes and heart conditions. Furthermore, pets need the proper nutrients to maintain their health, including their vision, digestion, bones, coat and immune system. A healthy diet also keeps their energy levels up, so they can play and function as normal.
7. Provide Clean, Fresh Water
Your pet needs to stay hydrated, but they also need to drink clean, fresh water. This means changing the water in their bowls and fountains daily. In many cases, you need to change the water several times a day. Allowing your pet to drink dirty water can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
8. Provide Physical and Mental Exercise
It is important to provide plenty of exercise to keep their muscles and joints healthy. Dogs need 30 minutes to two hours of physical activity, including walks and playtime. Cats need two 10 to 15-minute play sessions every day. You can also provide mental stimulation through toys and puzzles, allowing them to find treats by sniffing and moving objects.
9. Maintain Their Oral Health
Dental issues such as broken teeth are painful for pets, so you want to stay on top of their oral health. This includes at-home treatments such as brushing their teeth, providing dental treats in moderation and scheduling dental checkups.
10. Stay On Top of Grooming
Grooming does more than keep your pet looking great. Both professional and at-home grooming sessions make it easier to spot ailments such as dandruff, bald spots, matting and even fleas. Plus, your pet feels great after a nice bath and brush. Nowadays, you can look into mobile grooming, allowing your pet to stay close to a familiar environment.
Your pet's health and well-being should never be taken lightly. It is important to contact your veterinarian or local animal hospital if anything seems wrong. Luckily, you can take the steps to prevent ailments and maintain your pet's health, ensuring their quality of life.
Research is now confirming that our dogs, cats and rabbits, not unlike humans, experience symptoms of grief when they lose a beloved human or pet companion. Grief has even been observed in wild species. Elephants have been seen caressing the body of a deceased companion.
According to an article in AARP Magazine, pets do experience grief and there are things you can do to help a beloved dog, specifically, through the grieving process:
Maintain Normalcy - routine is the key. Keep walks and feedings consistent.
Provide Extra Attention - give your pet more cuddles and pats.
Socialize - Interaction with other dogs and people can lift spirits.
