Puppies for Sale in Illinois, IL

Illinois loves its pets! The state ranks very high for pet care, safety, and happiness. If you’re adopting a  new furry friend in Illinois, you’re in a great place! 

One of the top ranking sites for dog friendliness is Pawsafe. They analyze and rank each state based on factors like pet care costs, walkability scores, the number of pet-friendly rentals, and animal welfare laws.

In their study, Pawsafe rated Illinois as the third most pet-friendly state. They found that Illinois has over 800 pet-friendly accommodations, 279 dog-friendly restaurants, 286 pet-friendly attractions, and 634 pet services.

A similar study from Safewise, another reputable ranking site, also revealed Illinois to be highly pet-friendly. They rank Illinois second just behind Washington. One of the key factors in their ranking is the high number of pet-friendly rentals in the state. In fact, 35% of rentals accept pets. This is the fourth highest percentage of pet-friendly rentals by state.

Is Chicago a pet-friendly city?

In another study, WalletHub analyzed the 100 largest cities in the United States to find the most pet-friendly city. They ranked Chicago as the 64th most pet-friendly city. The city also scored 13th for pet health and wellness. However, Chicago is more expensive for pets, ranking 90th in terms of pet budget.

SmartAsset conducted a similar study and their ratings place Chicago in a more favorable light as the 16th most pet-friendly city.

Chicago has a lot going for pets including 570 dog friendly restaurants, 12 dog-friendly shopping centers, and 46 pet businesses for every 10,000 establishments. 

A different study from the Trust for Public Land (TPL) showed that Chicago has the 52nd most dog parks per capita, with 0.9 dog parks per 100,000 residents. 

A few more dog-related facts for Illinois

Despite the great numbers in Illinois, only 32% of Illinois residents own a dog, which is well below the national average of 40%. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the most popular dogs in the state are Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers. In the city of Chicago, the same three breeds are equally as popular, but there is also a keen interest in French Bulldogs and Rottweilers.

However, the state’s total pet ownership rate is far less than the national average as well, with only approximately 49% of Illinois families owning a pet of any kind.

Animal welfare & dog shelters in Illinois

Illinois saved 1,028 more animals in 2020 than in 2019. Out of 177 animal shelters, 126 are no-kill shelters. The overall save rate for the state is right around 82%. If Illinois can raise its save rate more, it will pass the 90% necessary to become a no-kill state. We hope they can do it!