New York is the Third Worst State for Dog Owners (Sorry, Fido)

New York is great for a lot of things, but apparently, being a dog owner here? Not so much.

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A recent study dropped some bad news for dog lovers in the Empire State, ranking us the third worst for dog owners in the U.S. It’s tough to hear, but let’s see why we’re not exactly top dog when it comes to canine care.

Why New York Makes the Top 3 (But Not in a Good Way)

So how exactly did we get to #3 on the naughty list? The study by The Fitch Law Firm scored states based on four major factors: veterinarian employment, how much you’re paying for dog walkers, animal protection laws, and how many people actually own dogs. With a score of 26.3 out of 100, New York doesn’t quite make the cut.

We’re decent on the dog-walking wages front. At $19.09 per hour, it’s not bad—just don’t expect to make a fortune walking the dog. But when it comes to vet employment, New York’s sitting at 0.36 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs, which isn’t exactly putting us ahead of the pack. When it comes to animal protection laws, we’re at 28th nationally.

What's Going On Elsewhere? Why New York Can’t Compete

New York’s not the worst state—Utah has that "honor", with a 23.7 score. But, compared to the top states, we’ve got some work to do. Oregon comes out on top with a 60.8 score, boasting 0.84 vets per 1,000 jobs and strong animal protection laws. In comparison, New York’s score is like getting a “C” on your report card when others are acing it.

The Dog Owner Life in New York: More Bark, Less Bite?

At least, the Empire State is ahead of Alabama, which ranks #2 on the bad list. Around 27% of New Yorkers own dogs, which is a decent, but it could be higher. Let’s not forget that New York’s animal protection laws still has room for improvement.

The silver lining? Our dog-walking prices are pretty solid, and you’ll definitely have a few pet-friendly parks to hang out in, but still… we’re no Oregon.