ROVER — The world’s largest online marketplace for loving pet care, announced Tuesday the fastest growing dog-friendly cities in Canada, including Saskatoon.
New data from Rover indicates that the vast majority of pet parents today consider their dog part of the family, and those family members are increasingly dictating housing decisions.
As the world continues to adjust to the “new normal”, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, many dog parents are seeking lifestyle adjustments that better fit their own needs and the needs of their pet. In fact, in a recent Rover survey of Canadian dog parents 69 per cent said they would move to better accommodate their dog’s needs. Additionally, 59 per cent of dog parents who have moved during the pandemic said their dog’s happiness and well being was their biggest inspiration for moving.
“It’s clear our pets are at the center of our families, and they’re influencing how and where we live,” said Kate Jaffe, trends expert at Rover. “Pet parents want to do right by their dogs, including giving them the best resources and opportunities to be happy. At the same time, people have realized that pets can improve our own health and wellbeing. Moving to a location with a big backyard and proximity to a park not only improves our pet’s life, it also leads to more exercise, more outdoor time and more social interaction that can actually make an impact on our own happiness.”
To find the Fastest Growing Dog-Friendly Cities, Rover examined its database of millions of pet profiles to find out where pet parents are popping up. According to the data, Squamish, B.C.; Saskatoon, Sask.; Milton, Ont.; Cochrane, Alta; Fredericton, N.B.; Quebec, Que.; Halifax, N.S.; and Winnipeg, Man. are the fastest-growing dog-friendly cities in Canada. While some of this year’s fastest growing cities may seem surprising, many include the dog-friendly amenities that pet parents are looking for.
When choosing where to live, 75 per cent of dog parents prioritize neighbourhood walkability for the sake of their pet, and 59 per cent said a fenced yard is the most appealing dog-friendly home feature. Dog parents are willing to spend more to get the pet-friendly features on their wishlist, too. According to survey data, the majority (70 per cent) of Canadian dog parents would spend more for amenities like a fenced yard, dog doors, or pet-friendly parks nearby. One in 10 dog parents (14 per cent) indicated there is no limit on what they would spend for more pet-friendly housing and 39 per cent of those who have moved during the pandemic said they purchased or rented a bigger or more expensive home because of their dog.
The search for more pet-friendly cities may also be partially the result of difficulties that renters with dogs are facing. According to 64 percent of renters with dogs, even rentals listed as “dog-friendly” are still challenging to rent for reasons such as breed and size restrictions, high security deposits, and a limit on the number of pets allowed. Despite these challenges, it’s clear that dog parents are willing to do what it takes to find a home that best suits their canine family members.
You can find more information and to see the full list of the fastest growing dog friendly cities in Canada, here.
The Top 20 Fastest Growing Dog-Friendly Cities ranking is according to both new dog accounts between June 2021 and March 2022 from Rover’s database of millions of pet profiles. Secondary data is provided by a Rover survey of 500 dog parents in Canada, conducted in March 2022, via Pollfish.
Founded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Rover (NASDAQ: ROVR) is the world’s largest online marketplace for pet care. Rover connects pet parents with caring pet care providers who offer overnight services, including boarding and in-home pet sitting, as well as daytime services, including doggy daycare, dog walking, and drop-in visits. Millions of pet parents have booked a service on Rover, with more than 500,000 pet care providers across North America and Europe.
