12 Pet Ownership Statistics in Illinois: Updated in 2026
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The US is known for being a pet-loving country, and Illinois is no exception. In fact, Chicago is known to be one of the most dog-friendly cities in the US, and it’s common to find pets living in many Illinois households.
Staying up to date on pet trends and statistics can help you take better care of your pets. Here are some of the latest statistics and figures about pet ownership in Illinois.
Top 12 Illinois Pet Ownership Statistics
Illinois has a pet ownership rate of 48.6%.
32.4% of pets in Illinois homes are dogs, and 21% of pets in Illinois are cats.
About 200,000 homes in Illinois have pet reptiles.
Chicago has the highest density of dogs in the US, with 22 dogs for every 100 people.
There are about 259 dog parks in Illinois.
Bolingbrook, Calumet City, and Mattoon are all Illinois cities that have been certified by Better Cities for Pets.
In Illinois, about $589.5 million is spent on pet products.
The average monthly premium cost of pet insurance for dogs ranges from $29.20 to $56.07.
The average monthly premium cost of pet insurance for cats ranges from $15.99 to $38.87.
About 3.03% of pet adoptions in the US were in Illinois.
There are 502 licensed animal shelters in Illinois.
The Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC) took in a total of 13,336 animals into its shelters.
General Pet Ownership Statistics in Illinois
1. Illinois has a pet ownership rate of 48.6%.
(Wisevoter)
Nearly half of Illinois homes have at least one pet. However, this average is lower than the national average. The national average of American homes with pets is about 57%. The state with the highest average is Wyoming, with 71%, and the state with the lowest average is Rhode Island, with 45.4%.
2. 32.4% of pets in Illinois homes are dogs, and 21% of pets in Illinois are cats.
(Pawlicy)
The most common types of pets in Illinois are dogs and cats. However, the gap is closing between dogs and cats. Other popular pets include fish, horses, and small mammals.
3. About 200,000 homes in Illinois have pet reptiles.
(USARK)
Illinois is a state that’s also a fan of reptiles. Along with having relatively high numbers of pet reptiles in homes, the reptile pet industry in Illinois generates about $55 million annually. Illinois also hosts ReptileFest, which is the largest reptile educational show in the country.
4. Chicago has the highest density of dogs in the US, with 22 dogs for every 100 people.
(Protect My Paws)
Although Illinois may have a lower pet ownership rate than the national rate, Chicago is known to be one of the most pet-friendly cities in the US. Along with having one of the highest densities of dogs, this city has many dog-friendly cafes, dog parks, and boutique pet supply stores.
5. There are about 259 dog parks in Illinois.
(Smartscrapers)
The first dog park established in Chicago was Wiggly Field. It was created in 1995, and it still exists today in the neighborhood of Lincoln Park. The number of dog parks has grown since then, and you can find several different dog parks in most Chicago neighborhoods.
6. Bolingbrook, Calumet City, and Mattoon are all Illinois cities that have been certified by Better Cities for Pets.
(Better Cities for Pets)
Better Cities for Pets is a program that helps cities become more pet-friendly. Mars Petcare created this program, and it provides many resources to help cities become certified. Some of the criteria that Better Cities for Pets adhere to in their certification program include warm and welcoming pet adoption centers, pet-friendly housing, public pet amenities, and pet-friendly workspaces.
So far, just three cities in Illinois have Better Cities for Pets certification.
Pet Ownership Costs in Illinois
7. In Illinois, about $589.5 million is spent on pet products.
(Pet Advocacy Network)
It’s no secret that the pet industry is large and projected to have continuous growth. In just Illinois, over half a billion dollars are spent on pet products alone. In addition, about $766.7 million is spent on veterinary care, $804.2 million on pet food manufacturing, and $269.1 million on pet services.
The Illinois pet industry also produces about $1.8 billion in benefits, salaries, and wages for employees in pet-related fields.
(MoneyGeek)
Pet insurance costs are affected by a variety of factors. A dog’s age, breed, and health before applying for pet insurance can impact costs. Living in larger cities with higher living costs can also affect premium prices, and most city dwellers will pay more for pet insurance than residents of rural communities.
(MoneyGeek)
Pet insurance for cats is generally lower than for dogs. Their rates are calculated based on similar criteria as dogs. So, you can expect premiums to be affected by the cat’s age and breed, as well as where you live.
Pet Adoptions in Illinois
10. About 3.03% of pet adoptions in the US were in Illinois.
(Spots.com)
Pet adoption has been a topic of interest since the COVID-19 pandemic. Pet adoptions have generally decreased since the pandemic, but there has been an increased interest in fostering pets.
In general, dogs are the most popular pets to adopt, but cats follow closely behind. Puppies and kittens are more likely to be adopted in Illinois.
11. There are 502 licensed animal shelters in Illinois.
(Illinois Department of Agriculture)
Animal shelters must comply with Illinois’ Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Rules and must meet the criteria to be licensed to operate. Licensure is administered and monitored by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. After obtaining a license, animal shelters must renew their application annually.
As of 2020, all animal shelters are required to submit reporting statistics with their license renewals.
12. The Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC) took in a total of 13,336 animals into its shelters.
(CACC)
In 2022, Out of the 13,336 animals taken in by CACC shelters, 8,476 were stray animals, 1,385 were surrendered by their owners, and 60 were animals returned to the shelters. 1,944 animals were adopted into new homes, and about 1,200 were returned or reunited with their owners.
Nearly half of the animals were transferred to another shelter or adoption agency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Ownership in Illinois
How many pets can you legally own in Illinois?
Illinois doesn’t have a statewide law that enforces the number of pets one household can own. However, some townships or homeowners’ associations can have their own rules and regulations regarding pet ownership in their neighborhoods. So, it’s still important to check a community’s pet policy before proceeding to move into a new home.
What’s the most popular kind of pet in Illinois?
Dogs have been the most popular pet in Illinois for decades, and cats are the second most popular pet. Popular dog breeds in Illinois include French Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, Goldendoodles, and Pit Bull Terriers. Popular cat breeds in Illinois are British Shorthairs, Ragdolls, American Shorthairs, and Maine Coons.
What’s the most popular exotic pet in Illinois?
Chinchillas are the most popular exotic pet in Illinois. You don’t need any special permits or licenses to care for a chinchilla. In fact, you can find some pet stores in Illinois that sell chinchillas. There are also several chinchilla breeders located in Illinois and the surrounding states.
What exotic pets aren’t allowed in Illinois?
Illinois has laws in place to restrict personal ownership of certain exotic pets. Exotic pets are illegal if they’re categorized as a primate or a dangerous animal. Some dangerous animals include bears, large wild cats, wolves, coyotes, and hyenas. When it comes to primates, those that have been registered with the local animal control agency prior to 2011 have been grandfathered and are allowed to remain as pets. (UAPPEAL)
Can pets go into stores in Illinois?
Generally, only service animals are allowed to enter public spaces. However, there are some cases where an establishment will allow pets. This will depend on each community’s rules and regulations on pets and the pet policy of the individual business. Therefore, you can find some stores and cafes that welcome pets. Just make sure to contact the business and ask about their pet policy before arriving with your pet.
Conclusion
While Illinois may have lower numbers of homes with pets, we anticipate that the number of pets will continue to grow. Chicago is a pet-friendly city, and several other cities are making efforts to become more pet-friendly. We wouldn’t be surprised to see more cities in Illinois follow suit and make more efforts to push Illinois into becoming an even more pet-friendly state.
Sources
Featured Image Credit: evrymmnt, Shutterstock
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Jessica is a freelance writer who spends bigger part of her day researching and writing while her furry companion Cavapoo, Nora, snoozes beside her. She loves dogs, pets and animals because there’s so much to learn from them, and they do so much for us. As a dog mom, she understands the strong connection that pet parents have with their pets. So, she loves sharing helpful information that pet owners can use to better understand their beloved pets. When she isn't writing, you may find her walking dogs, tending to her plants, or drinking her nth cup of coffee.
