Birmingham ranks 9th most pet-friendly city in U.S.

Now here is something we can “howl” or “meow” about in Birmingham.

This month, Wallethub, the personal finance website, released an in-depth report on 2020’s Most Pet-Friendly Cities. 

Using 25 key metrics ranging from veterinarians to dog-friendly restaurants per capita, the Magic City ranked 9th most pet-friendly in the U.S.

That’s right, Bham cracked the top 10, beating out Nashville, Portland and 89 other large American cities.

And why not?

Birmingham is a pet loving mecca.

A Rundown

Shall I provide a few pet-loving examples….

Do Dah Day 

Can you name a city that up until this year has held a pet parade for 40 consecutive years? On top of the fun and animal loving mayhem, the all volunteer Do Dah Day organization has raised 100s of thousands of dollars for animal welfare over four decades.  And let’s remember the parade is not only for cats and dogs.  

Here is my favorite parade walker:

Hand in Paw 

 

When Beth Franklin founded Hand in Paw back in 1996, she knew there was a need. Think about it. Birmingham is home to so many hospitals and health care facilities, including, Children’s of Alabama, UAB, St. Vincent’s, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, Princeton Baptist Medical Center, the VA, Lakeshore Foundation and much, much more (a 100 to be exact).  The most loving animals on planet Earth- Hand in Paw’s animal-assisted therapy program makes nearly 100,000 visits a year.

Greater Birmingham Humane Society 

Did you know GBHS is one the first Humane Society’s in the nation? The group was founded in 1883, only 12 years after Birmingham was established. Just last month the group was celebrating the Birmingham City Council’s passage of one of the state’s first inhumane tethering ordinances. 

Red Mountain Park’s Remy’s Dog Park/Community Foundation

And let’s not forget, Birmingham has one of the best dog parks in the country – the Remy’s Dog Park at Red Mountain. Named after philanthropist Ken Jackson’s beloved dog Remy, the park is an extrovert dog paradise. 

Speaking of Jackson – his Remy Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham gives away thousands of dollars a year to animal service groups.

Bham Now Loves Pets

Need more evidence that Birmingham is Pet-Friendly?  

Our city even has a “cat cafe” – Gatos and Beans. 

I’ve also come to the conclusion, Bham Now loves Pets.  Below are a few of our guides.

• Places to dine with your pup in Birmingham 
• Pet-friendly hotels 
• Dog Friendly Daycares 
• Instagram-famous pets in Bham 

WalletHub Got this One Right

Got to say, WalletHub doesn’t always rank Birmingham this high in its rankings, but in my book their experts got this one right.

Want to see the full report? Visit: WalletHub