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Fort Collins is Pooch Paradise

April 27, 2022

In Northern Colorado, we dig our dogs. 

We walk with them. We jog with them. We hike with them. We take them shopping. We even bring them into the office. As much as we are renowned for our beer and recreation, our passion for our pups is another source of national recognition – making Fort Collins one of the country’s best towns for taking care of furry family members.

Want proof? Check out a recent data analysis conducted by BestPlaces.net and published by Rocket Homes. While the study named Portland, Maine, as the most ‘dog-friendly’ place in the country, Fort Collins wasn’t far behind – ranking third.  

One major factor behind this lofty status is the number of local hiking trails per capita, along with having many dog-friendly establishments. As anyone who has walked downtown can attest, many Fort Collins businesses welcome our canine companions by setting out a water bowl or two.

Of course, the pleasant weather in these parts makes it easy to spend time with our dogs outside, and they are typically welcome to join us on the patio of our neighborhood brewery.

Researchers at BestPlaces.net used the following metrics to determine the rankings for the most dog-friendly cities in the U.S.:

  • Number of off-leash dog parks
  • Number of veterinarians
  • Number of walking/hiking trails
  • Number of parks and green spaces
  • Number of stores that sell pet goods

Back in 2016, Fort Collins also ranked as one of the 10 best cities in the nation for dogs and their owners, according to realtor.com, a real estate industry website. Across the country, about 44 percent of American households own a dog. But that’s small potatoes compared to Fort Collins, where almost 70 percent of local households own a dog! 

Having Colorado State University in our city adds so much value to dog owners.  U.S. News and World Report ranked CSU as #3 for best Veterinary Schools.

If you’re a dog lover and want to live in a place where you can bring your well-behaved dog along with you just about everywhere, and know they’ll be well-cared for, consider working in Northern Colorado.

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