Buying a House to Fit Your Furry Friends

Buying a House to Fit Your Furry Friends

I’ve had animals around me for as long as I can remember. Right now, it’s three dogs and two cats — all rescues from St. Croix.

They’ve been through storms with me, waited out long workdays, and kept me company on the quiet Sundays. If you live with pets, you know: when you shop for a house, you’re not just shopping for yourself. You’re shopping for them, too.

Flooring suddenly matters in ways it never used to. Not just for looks, but for muddy paw prints, food bowls, and the 2 a.m. “accident cleanups” nobody likes to talk about. A fenced yard? That’s freedom for the dogs and peace of mind for me. Acreage or even a neighborhood dog park close by means they’ve got space to burn off energy without me loading them up in the truck every time.

And it’s not just me. Sixty-six percent of U.S. households own pets, and nearly half of homebuyers say they’ve moved to better accommodate them. Some even choose neighborhoods based on vets, grooming spots, and trails. Pets aren’t “just pets” anymore — they’re family.

The same thing plays out in vacation rentals. Properties that welcome pets see up to 54% more bookings, higher nightly rates, and more revenue overall. Why? Because people don’t want to leave their furry family members behind — not on vacation, not at home, not ever.

If you’ve ever watched a dog sprawl out in the sun on their own patch of grass, or a cat curl up in the perfect window perch, you get it: when a home works for them, it works better for you.

So when you’re out looking for your next place, don’t just count bedrooms or check the appliances. Look around and ask yourself: Will this be home for all of us?