Puppies for Sale in Michigan, MI

With its beautiful lakeside beaches and pet-friendly attractions, Michigan rates as quite a friendly state for our four-legged friends! 

A study by animal safety site Pawsafe ranked Michigan as the 13th most pet-friendly state. Even better, the state ranked number three for dog-friendly attractions and activities. Pawsafe ranks states by evaluating the various dog parks, nature walks, local attractions, beaches, breweries, wineries, and shopping centers open to pets.

Safewise, another reputable site for animal safety, conducted a similar study in which Michigan was ranked as the 33rd most pet-friendly state. In the study, the state receives strong marks for its animal welfare laws related to abuse, neglect, fighting, or pet care standards.

Both studies evaluated states for factors like availability of pet care and services, animal protection laws, and pet-friendly activities. 

Is Detroit a dog-friendly city?

Detroit is the largest and most well-known city in Michigan – so how does the city stack up for dog lovers?

In a review of the 100 largest cities in the country, WalletHub found that Detroit was the 5th least pet-friendly city. It ranked 78th for outdoor pet-friendliness, 33rd for pet budget, and 98th for pet health and wellness. We also hate to say it but the city had the fourth-fewest pet businesses per capita.

In Detroit, the most popular breeds are German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Goldens, Bulldogs, Yorkshire Terriers, and Labs.

A Trust for Public Land (TPL) study ranked Detroit 52nd in terms of available dog parks, with 0.9 parks per 100,000 residents. There are six total dog parks in a city of over a half million people.

A few more pet-related facts about Michigan

Forty-two percent of Michigan residents own a dog. This puts the state above the 40% national average. 

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the most popular dogs in Michigan are Labradors, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers. Other popular breeds in the state include Siberian Huskies and Rottweilers. People in Michigan love the great outdoors and activities like camping, hunting, and fishing – and these dog breeds love it, too!

Overall, 62.4% of the state’s residents own a pet. Dogs are the dominant animal, with only 31% of homes owning a cat.

Animal welfare & dog shelters in Michigan

Michigan saved 97,224 dogs and cats during 2020. They showed wonderful progress as this was 4,705 more animals than in 2019. Approximately 9,714 were killed in the past year. Out of 130 animal shelters, 95 have a no-kill policy. The overall save rate for the state is 84%. Michigan has a bit of work to reach the 90% benchmark needed to be a no-kill state. We hope they make it soon!