As if Manhattan rentals weren’t already doggone expensive, animal lovers have to cough up an extra $250 in pet rent per month.
It’s one of the reasons why our so-called greatest city in the world was ranked nearly dead last for pet-friendly metropolises, despite the estimated 1.1 million furry residents inhabiting the Big Apple.
According to a recent study by Zumper, the concrete jungle placed 95th out of 100 cities for animal-owners due to pet-induced rent hikes, vet costs, poor air quality and a lack of outdoor parks per capita and less pet-friendly apartments.
That’s ruff.
“You want to ensure you have considered all of the financial implications of owning a pet in this city before making your decision to adopt,” Rover’s trends expert Kate Jaffe told The Post in a statement.
“If you’re a pet parent, you’ll likely need to put down an additional pet fee or pay ‘pet rent,’ which can range from an estimated $200 to $500, before bringing your pet home,” she added, noting that the exact dollar amount depends on the building and type of animal.
New York City is “notorious for its expensive cost of living”; in July, rental prices soared 9.3% more than last year — and could be one of the leading factors for overflowing animal shelters across the boroughs.
“People are surrendering their animals because of financial difficulties,” Katy Hansen, a spokesperson for the Animal Care Centers of New York City, previously told The Post.
The ACC has seen an “unprecedented” population increase in the shelter’s kennels this year, in part due to a lack of prompt adoptions.
Hansen speculated that the city’s exorbitant cost of living could be to blame.
“It’s New York City — it’s a really expensive city to live in,” she said.
But if New Yorkers are insistent on owning a furry friend, Jaffe recommends considering location, noise levels and proximity to parks, vets and pet stores.
“Before you officially bring your pet home, make sure to pet-proof as needed to stay within your lease guidelines, prevent wear and tear, and make the space safe for your newest member of the family,” she advised.
Richmond, Virginia, however, earned best in show, securing its first-place rank as the best place to own pets, according to Zumper.
Not only is the cost of living lower than many other metropolises, but vet bills are cheaper, the air quality is better and there are more parks per capita.
The southern state outranked second through fifth place titleholders Madison, Wisconsin; Columbus, Ohio; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Kansas City, Missouri.
To compile its rankings, Zumper considered median one-bedroom rent, the percent of pet-friendly apartments, vet costs, walkability, air quality index, and parks and vets per capita.
Jersey City, New Jersey beat out New York as the absolute worst place to own animals, followed by Anaheim, California; Santa Ana, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; and, of course, New York.
