We can freely say that people in Florida treat pets as a part of their family. Some statistics say that in this country there are 12,5 million pet owners. This is proof that Florida is a pet-friendly state. So many people consider their pets their best friends, so it’s very important where they live. Pet owners must carefully pick the city that can please their needs. Each city has its own limitations and restrictions. It can be quite challenging for many pet lovers to find a perfect spot. In the Sunny state, you can find several cities that are especially hospitable to people who have pets. Best Movers in Florida will show you the top pet-friendly cities in Florida. In case you decide to move to one of these cities, we will also help you find the right moving company!
The First One on the List of Top Pet-Friendly Cities in Florida Is Tampa
Tampa is a coastal city in Florida that is not only pet-friendly, but it is in proximity to other local cities such as Sarasota and St. Petersburg which are also extremely pet-friendly. The fact that Tampa has more than 60 pet-friendly hotels is amazing. Not to mention that there are countless numbers of homes that own all types of pets.
Tampa is a city that has a lot of options for pets to live and enjoy in a friendly environment. This is a great opportunity for pet lovers if Tampa is their choice for a new home. The average Tampa home value is $382,663. If you are moving to Tampa with your pet you’ll be more than welcome. The astonishing fact is that this city has approximately 20 dog parks and some of them allow off-leash dogs. On this list of top pet-friendly cities in Florida Tampa is truly the best option.
Tampa’s top pet-friendly places and events
Tampa is a fantastic city for pet owners, offering a wealth of places, amenities, and events that cater specifically to the needs of pets and their owners. Here’s a list highlighting some of the best offerings in Tampa for pet lovers:
- Al Lopez Park: Features a large, fenced-in dog park where dogs can roam off-leash, along with walking trails and picnic areas.
- Hyde Park Village: An open-air shopping district that welcomes dogs. Many shops and restaurants in the area offer water bowls and treats for your furry friends.
- Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park: A great place for leashed walks along the water, this park is central to downtown Tampa and often hosts pet-friendly events.
- Tampa Pet Expo: An annual event that features pet adoptions, a pet/owner look-alike contest, and demonstrations by pet professionals.
- Shell Key Shuttle: Offers pet-friendly boat tours that allow you to explore the local waterways with your pet.
- Gasparilla Pirate Fest: This famous Tampa event has a pet-friendly version, the Gasparilla Pirate Pooch Parade, where pets and owners can dress up in pirate attire and join in the fun.
- Bayshore Boulevard: Ideal for long walks or jogs with your dog, this scenic boulevard offers stunning views of Tampa Bay.
Sarasota – A Haven for Pet Lovers
Sarasota is a prime destination for pet owners looking for a city that embraces a pet-friendly lifestyle. Here are some key features that make Sarasota stand out and you should know about before moving to Sarasota, one of the best cities in Florida:
- Beaches: Venice, a place within Sarasota County, is home to Brohard Paw Park, the only beach in the county where dogs can roam freely. This beach is equipped with dog showers and water fountains to ensure a pleasant experience for all.
- Parks: The city offers multiple parks with pet-friendly features. Arlington Park has a walking path suitable for dog walking, while Nathan Benderson Park offers scenic trails perfect for an outing with your furry friend.
- Dining: Many restaurants in Sarasota provide pet-friendly outdoor seating, allowing your pets to join you for a meal.
- Accommodations: A variety of hotels and rentals in Sarasota cater to visitors with pets, ensuring a comfortable stay for everyone.
- Community Events: Sarasota regularly hosts pet-centric events such as fun runs, pet parades, and adoption fairs, fostering a strong community spirit among pet owners.
These elements collectively make Sarasota an inviting location for those who want to enjoy life with their pets in a supportive and beautiful environment.
Fort Lauderdale Is Also Great for Pets
If you’re searching for a pet-friendly city, look no more. Fort Lauderdale is a great option for living with your pet. The city of Fort Lauderdale is also rich with family-friendly activities. If you’re considering finding family home in Fort Lauderdale, you should know that the average home value here is $530,859. This city has many pet-friendly restaurants and we must mention a few of them like Bimini Boatyard Bar & Grill, Greek Islands Taverna, and Cafe La Bonne Crepe, etc.
In Canine Beach dogs and other pets are welcome but they must be on leash. You can walk, run, or even jog along the surf with your dog at this pet-friendly beach. Fort Lauderdale is a great place for pet keeping and if you decide to move here you won’t make a mistake. Search for moving professionals in this city. However, we highly recommend nearby moving companies in Sunny Isles FL. They have experience in pet moving and all that goes with this objective.
Orlando Is a Paradise for Pet Owners
Orlando welcomes residents who own pets and even tourists who bring their pets. This huge city has around 110 pet-friendly hotels and the majority do not charge a fee. Orlando owns over 20 parks in which your pets are more than welcome. Most of them are located near the water and they have separate equipment for dog training and playing.
People in Orlando organize many pet-friendly events such as Howl-O-Ween, Disabled Pets Day at Doglando, and Release the Hounds Pet Fest. This city has several dog resorts and doggy daycares in which your pet can relax and play with their fellow canines. If Orlando is your final choice for living and moving with your pets plan the entire process on time. In that way, you will also avoid unpleasant situations that come with relocating with pets. If you’re considering moving here, you should expect an average home value of $384,415.
Orlando’s top pet-friendly places and events
Orlando, Florida, is a fantastic city for pet owners. The city offers a variety of places, amenities, and events that cater to the needs of pets and their families. Here’s a list of some of the highlights:
- Lake Eola Park: A popular downtown spot where you can enjoy a scenic walk with your pet around the lake. The park often hosts pet-friendly events and has designated areas where dogs can play.
- Barber Park Dog Park: A well-maintained off-leash dog park that features separate areas for large and small dogs, providing a safe environment for all types of dogs to enjoy.
- Fleet Peeples Park: Known as one of the best off-leash dog parks in the area, it offers lake access where dogs can swim, and ample space for running and playing.
- Doggie Art Festival: An annual event in Winter Park, close to Orlando, that celebrates dogs with art, vendors, and activities specifically geared towards pet owners and their companions.
- Brunch Pawty: Various restaurants and cafes around Orlando host pet-friendly “pawties,” where pets can join their owners for a meal, often with special menus for dogs.
- Pet-friendly Shopping Centers: Many shopping centers and retail outlets in Orlando welcome pets, making it easier for pet owners to run errands accompanied by their pets.
- Seaworld’s Pet-Friendly Events: During specific times of the year, SeaWorld Orlando offers special pet-friendly events where you can enjoy the park with your pet.
- Pups Pub Orlando: A bar dedicated to dogs and their owners, featuring indoor and outdoor play areas, and serving both human and dog-friendly treats.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a city with dozens of parks, hotels and even shopping malls that are pet-friendly. This city has around 200 hotels in which you and your pet can feel at home. Despite that in some indoor areas in Florida’s restaurants pets are not allowed, Jacksonville is the total opposite. In this city eating out with your pet is no problem.
Some of the best Jacksonville restaurants have outdoor patios that welcome all kinds of travelers, especially the furry kind. And if you want to relax with your pet there are 22 miles of white-sandy beaches. This amazing city is the home of First Coast No More Homeless Pets. This veterinary clinic offers free or low-cost healthcare and spay/neuter as well. In this list of top pet-friendly cities in Florida, Jacksonville is one of the most recognizable by love for pets. If you think that this place is the right one for you think about the average Jacksonville home value, which is $298,584.
Naples
Naples, Florida, stands out as a premier destination for pet owners due to its welcoming community and abundant pet-friendly amenities. Living here may be more expensive than living in other cities mentioned above, since the average home value here is $611,759. Here are some key highlights that make Naples one of the best pet-friendly cities in Florida:
- Pet-Friendly Beaches: Naples is home to beautiful beaches where pets are welcome. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, for example, offers designated areas where dogs can play in the sand and surf.
- Walking Paths and Parks: The city boasts numerous walking paths that are perfect for leisurely strolls with your furry friends. Cambier Park is a popular spot among pet owners for its spacious areas and scenic routes.
- Pet-Friendly Dining: Many restaurants in Naples accommodate pets, often providing outdoor seating and special amenities like water bowls and treats for four-legged guests.
- Accommodations: Numerous hotels and rental properties in Naples offer pet-friendly lodging, ensuring that visitors can enjoy their stay without leaving their pets behind.
Miami Has Many Pet-Friendly Attractions
Miami is a city where you and your pet will never be bored. In this coastal city, there are 14 pet-friendly hotels which are defined as dog and cat-friendly. Several hotels also accept other pets such as birds or ferrets. There are always some activities and places where you can have fun with your companion. Miami can provide you with many pet-friendly parks and beaches as well as pet-friendly cafes, restaurants, stores, and shopping malls. Miami is one of the top pet-friendly cities in Florida to live with your pet.
If your decision to move to this area is final keep in mind that you need to help your pet to adjust to a new home. Keep your daily routines and enjoy the beauties of Miami with your pet. You should also know that this city also has higher living costs, similar to Naples. The average Miami home value is $571,215.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, Florida, is a paradise for those pet keepers, who want to find an ideal city that embraces a pet-friendly lifestyle. Warm, sunny weather and beautiful outdoor spaces in this city make it a paradise for pet lovers moving to St Petersburg. The average Saint Petersburg home value is $381,107.
One of the peculiarities of St. Petersburg is that the majority of its parks are friendly to dogs. Among the highlights is Vinoy Park providing picturesque waterfront views for dogs and their owners to take a leisurely walk. The North Shore Dog Park offers a special area for dogs to play without a leash, equipped with a number of facilities designed both for dogs and their owners to have a great day out.
The city’s dedication to providing for pets is not limited to its parks. Many local restaurants and cafes are also pet-friendly and have outdoor dining areas where dogs can lie down next to their owners. The venues such as The Dog Bar are a combination of a social club and a dog park where pets can play while their masters socialize. Additionally, numerous pet-centered activities and events take place in St. Petersburg, among which are pet parades and themed festivals, which not only entertain but also create a sense of community among owners.
Gainesville Is Also on the List of the Best Pet-Friendly Cities in Florida
Gainesville stands out as an ideal destination for pet lovers for several reasons. It also provides an affordable living costs with the average home price of around $297,461.
- Pet-Friendly Parks: The city has numerous parks where dogs can play off-leash. One of the most popular is Tom Petty Park, which offers ample space for dogs to roam and socialize.
- Nature Trails: For those who enjoy outdoor adventures with their pets, Gainesville offers various trails such as the La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie, where pets on leashes can explore the natural beauty alongside their owners.
- Community Events: Gainesville hosts several pet-centric events throughout the year, including pet adoption fairs and dog-friendly community gatherings.
- Veterinary Services: The presence of the University of Florida in Gainesville means access to top-notch veterinary care from the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Pet-Friendly Dining: Many restaurants and cafes in Gainesville welcome pets in their outdoor seating areas, allowing owners to dine alongside their furry friends.
This combination of recreational opportunities, community support, and pet-friendly businesses makes Gainesville an appealing choice for pet owners looking for a city that enjoy the unique lifestyle.
Tallahassee
If you are looking for a pet friendly city, with low housing costs, Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, is a standout and offers a happy home to pet owners. The average Tallahassee home value is $286,005. Tom Brown Park is one of the biggest parks in Tallahassee and has a dog park where dogs can run off-leash. Moreover, the park’s vast network of trails is perfect for long walks with your dog, making sure he or she receives more than enough exercise and mental stimulation. Most of the neighborhoods in Tallahassee are welcoming to pet owners.
In addition, there are many pet-associated events that are held in Tallahassee during the year which pet lovers enjoy, and that adds to the community feel of the city. Events like the annual Tally Pet Fest feature local pet services that include groomers, vets, and pet boutiques. Also, the city abounds in restaurants and cafes friendly for pets, which means that pet owners may eat together with their pets in hospitable settings. Tallahassee is a dog-friendly city with a variety of dog parks, dog-friendly businesses, public events, pet psychics, and in-home dog training services. Tallahassee makes pets and families feel at home, be it the natural beauty of its parks or an event that is all about pets and their partners.
Moving to One of the Best Pet-Friendly Cities in Florida Is a Good Choice!
Florida is the bright spot for all the pet-owners. From pet festivals in Tampa to parks in Orlando, every pet and its owner can find a place perfect for themselves. Also, towns such as Sarasota and Jacksonville have calm beaches and lively community activities. In the long run, the top pet-friendly cities in Florida make life with your furry friends fun and exciting. So, grab your bags, and your pet’s favorite toys and explore Florida, and consider moving to one of these many Florida cities. This way, you will be able to enjoy the amenities pet-friendly cities in Florida offer first-hand!
