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Pet ownership in the United States is a big deal. Americans love animals, and American households are full of them. Florida is the third most populous state in the United States, with a population of 22.2 million, which translates to a lot of people and potentially a lot of pets. That raises the question about pet ownership in the state of Florida. How many people own pets? Which pets are the most popular? How does Florida rank compared to other states in the United States? This guide will cover those questions and more as we dive into 14 pet ownership statistics out of the state of Florida.
The 14 Pet Ownership Statistics in Florida
- Florida has a household pet ownership rate of 56%.
- There are an estimated 12.5 million pet owners in Florida.
- 5 million households in Florida own at least one pet.
- Florida has a household dog ownership rate of 39.8%.
- Florida has a household cat ownership rate of 24.2%.
- Florida ranks 34th in the United States for household pet ownership rate.
- Florida ranks 24th in the United States for household dog ownership.
- Florida ranks 36th in the United States for household cat ownership.
- The most popular dog breeds in Florida are the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Golden Retriever.
- Revenue at pet and pet supply stores in Florida has risen by 66% since 2012, and that number is projected to continue to rise.
- Florida is home to two of the top three pet friendly cities in the United States.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lists 42 exotic species that can be owned with the proper permit.
- Over 500 non-native (invasive) species have been observed in Florida.
- Fish, birds, and reptiles are the three most popular pets to own after dogs and cats.
Florida Pet Ownership Top Line Numbers
1. Florida has a household pet ownership rate of 56%.
(Wise Voter)
Over half of all households in Florida own a pet. That means that one out of every two Floridians lives in a house with a cat, dog, horse, or other pet. That might sound high, but Florida surprisingly does not rank very highly in terms of overall pet ownership.
Many people think that Florida would be a great place to own a pet due to the climate, ample areas to walk your dog, and the pet-friendly amenities found across the state. But those things do not directly translate to pet ownership in the state.
2. There are an estimated 12.5 million pet owners in Florida.
(US Census Bureau)
Using the most recent census data (2020), we can take the overall number of people in the state and extrapolate the number of pet owners. That number comes out to 12.5 million. That number might not equate to the exact number of pets in the state, because some people live in households with multiple pets, and some people share pets with family and significant others.
Another way to read this number is to say that there are 12.5 million people who live in pet-owning households.
3. 5 million households in Florida own at least one pet.
(US Census Bureau)
Using the most recent census data (2020), we can figure out the estimated number of pet-owning households. There are 8.1 million households in Florida, of which 56% own at least one pet. The average number of people that live in a Florida household is 2.57, according to the US Census Bureau.
4. Florida has a household dog ownership rate of 39.8%.
(Wise Voter)
Dogs are much more popular in Florida than cats. Nearly 4 in 10 households own a dog in the state of Florida. That makes sense considering that Florida routinely ranks as one of the most dog-friendly states in the United States. Dogs are very popular in Florida but not as popular as they are in other states.
Note that there is some overlap between dog and cat owners, which drives the overall pet ownership rate in the state (multi-pet households).
5. Florida has a household cat ownership rate of 24.2%.
(World Population Review)
Less than a quarter of Florida households contain at least one cat. That number is fairly low. Cats are much less popular than dogs in Florida. Florida also ranks much lower in terms of the percentage of cat owners than other states, leaving Florida in the bottom third for cat ownership in the United States.
How Florida Compares to Other States in the United States
6. Florida ranks 34th in the United States for household pet ownership rate.
(Wise Voter)
Florida only ranks 34th in the United States in terms of overall pet ownership rate. This rate includes cats, dogs, fish, reptiles, and other small pets. One reason that Florida pet ownership lags behind other states is due to the large number of transplants and retirees that come to the state.
Many people who move into Florida come without pets, and retirees are less likely to own pets than younger generations like millennials. This drags Florida down considerably in terms of overall pet ownership.
7. Florida ranks 24th in the United States for household dog ownership.
(World Population Review)
Florida ranks in the middle for dog ownership rates nationwide. Given that Florida has numerous outdoor activities and generally good weather year-round, it is a little surprising that more households do not own dogs. Twenty-three states rank higher than Florida in terms of dog ownership. Other southern states, like Arkansas and Mississippi, rank in the top 10 in terms of dog ownership.
One of the reasons that Florida ranks lower than these states is the lack of a strong hunting culture in Florida compared to other states where hunting dogs drive dog ownership numbers.
8. Florida ranks 36th in the United States for household cat ownership.
(World Population Review)
Despite being one of the most populous states in the nation, Florida ranks surprisingly low in terms of cat ownership. Less than a quarter of Florida households have a cat. That is far below some of the most cat-crazy states, which routinely see numbers north of 30% for cat ownership.
This means that only 13 states have lower cat ownership numbers than Florida. The low rate of cat ownership rounds out a surprising showing for Florida pet ownership as a whole.
The State of Pet Ownership in Florida
9. The most popular dog breeds in Florida are the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Golden Retriever.
(Reader’s Digest)
Florida loves its dogs. There are a large number of Floridians who own dogs, but the state does have its favorites. According to a recent survey, the German Shepherd is the most popular dog breed in Florida. Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers come in second and third, respectively.
This is a very close race at the top, and for many years, these three dogs have switched places, but there is a strong consensus about these breeds in Florida. Some local areas, like South Florida, have a strong showing of other breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Chihuahuas.
10. Revenue at pet and pet supply stores in Florida has risen by 66% since 2012, and that number is projected to continue to rise.
(Statista)
Florida’s attentiveness towards pets can be seen in revenue generated by pet stores and pet supply stores. In 2012, the total revenue from pet stores in the state was less than $1 billion. In 2023, the revenue is projected to be $1.4 billion, and in 2024 that number is projected to rise further to nearly $1.5 billion or more.
This represents a growth of 66% which far outstrips inflation. These numbers show that Floridians are willing to spend more and more on their pets as time goes on.
11. Florida is home to two of the top three pet friendly cities in the United States.
(WalletHub)
Florida owns two of the top three friendliest cities in the country for pets. Those cities are Tampa and St. Petersburg. Both of these cities are just a few miles from one another on Florida’s west coast. The large number of outdoor dining options, beaches, pet-friendly hotels, and veterinarian clinics make these cities some of the best places to live if you have a pet.
Orlando, Miami, Hialeah (a suburb of Miami), and Jacksonville also make the list. That gives Florida six of the top 51 pet-friendly cities in the nation, which is a strong showing.
Exotic Pets in Florida
12. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lists 42 exotic species that can be owned with the proper permit.
(Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Florida is a popular place for exotic animals. Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) lists 42 individual species that people are allowed to own if they acquire the proper permit from the department. Some of these exotic species include oddities like wolves, giraffes, and ostriches.
Florida’s warm climate and sunny weather make it ideal for a large variety of exotic species, especially ones that like to live outdoors.
13. Over 500 non-native (invasive) species have been observed in Florida, with many being introduced as exotic pets.
(University of Florida IFAS Extension)
Florida is one of the states with the highest number of invasive species. One of the reasons for this is the number of exotic pets that come into the state. Florida is a major importer of animals, both legal and illegal. Its close proximity to tropical climates in the Caribbean and Central and South America makes it the ideal point of entry for numerous exotic species.
These species then escape or are set free in Florida and populate in the wild. Examples of invasive species that have plagued the state in recent years are certain species of iguana, the dreaded Burmese Python, and a species of Giant African Land Snail.
14. Fish, birds, and reptiles are the three most popular pets to own after dogs and cats.
(Pawlicy Advisor)
Dogs and cats are by far and away the most popular pets in the United States. After dogs and cats, fish, surprisingly, come in third. There are over 11 million households in the United States that own fish. Birds and reptiles each account for roughly 5 million households in terms of pet ownership.
These numbers are far below the 63 million households that own dogs and 43 million households that own cats. There is no reason to think that these numbers do not also apply to Florida, though there are no hard numbers regarding small animal ownership in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Ownership Statistics in Florida
Is Florida Considered a Pet-Friendly State?
Yes. Even though Florida does not rank very highly when it comes to overall pet ownership, it is considered to be a very friendly state for pets and pet owners. Florida is home to two of the most pet-friendly cities in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Florida is also considered one of the easiest places to travel with your pet.
Since much of Florida’s economy is tied to the tourism industry, they do whatever they can to ensure that people of all kinds, including pet owners, can easily and affordably travel to Florida and enjoy time with their pets.
How Does the Rate of Pet Ownership in Florida Compare to Other States?
The state with the highest rate of pet ownership is Wyoming. 71% of Wyoming households own pets. West Virginia is a close second, with 70% of households owning pets. This is double the rate of pet ownership in the lowest states. These states are known for their low population density and strong outdoor cultures (hunting, fishing, camping, etc.), which drive pet ownership compared to other areas of the country. (World Population Review)
Washington, DC, has the lowest rate of pet ownership by far. Rhode Island has the second-lowest number of pet-owning households. Only 38% of Washington, DC households own a pet. This can be attributed to the small dwellings, shared living accommodations, and frequent travel of DC residents. (Wise Voter)
Which Generation Has the Highest Rate of Pet Ownership?
Millennials are the generation with the highest rate of pet ownership. Millennials far outrank both their parents’ generation (Generation X), Baby Boomers, and Generation Z. The data is still not in about how many pets Gen Z will end up owning as many of them still live under their parents’ roofs.
Since this data is collected periodically, the firm numbers on Generation Z might not be clear for another few years as they age and move into their own homes.
Conclusion
Despite being one of the most pet-friendly states in the nation, Florida ranks surprisingly low in terms of pet ownership. The highest Florida rank is 24th for dog ownership, but overall, pet ownership and cat ownership lag far behind other areas of the United States. Florida continues to show strong growth in revenue for pet supply stores and continues to lead the way in pet-friendly amenities.
Florida is hampered by its large number of retirees and older generations who own pets at much lower rates than younger generations like Millennials and Generation Z.
