Is Florida not pet-friendly? Report says yes, SWFL dog owners say not so fast

Is the Sunshine State not pet-friendly?

A newly-published report says Florida’s cities care the least about their pets, but how did they come to that conclusion? Is Southwest Florida part of the problem?

WINK News set out to get some answers from local pet owners, like Jamie Poulin, whose answer said it all.

“I spend more money on her than I do my own daughter,” he said.

Across the Pooch Park Dog Park in North Fort Myers, dog owners beamed with pride.

“We adopted her from Sarasota and she has been with us now for about four months and we just love her,” said David Hering.

“She is a part of the family, yep,” said Katy Rickaby.

These dog lovers don’t understand how research put out by Pet News Daily suggests Floridians care the least about their pets.

“Pet unfriendly? That doesn’t sound like Florida to me, at least not around here,” Hering said.

“She’s too cared for…she’s spoiled,” Poulin said of his dog, Nova.

Researchers say the ranking is based on Google trends that track how many people searched pet insurance and pet care items in one city versus another.

It’s clear to dog owners here that those researchers are barking up the wrong tree.

“I don’t know that it’s much of a measure. I mean, pet insurance is probably something a lot of people should have because going to a vet is not cheap,” Hering said.

Pet News Daily said Tampa is the city where people care for their pets the least. Orlando and Miami made the top 10 of that dubious list. Leesburg, Virginia, was ranked “Most Caring.”

“Tampa and Miami, they’re a different ball game. It’s different there, the atmosphere,” Rickaby said.

Regardless of those rankings, the owners we spoke to say their pets are well-loved, well cared for, and happy here in the Sunshine State.

Infographic by Pet News Daily