1 in 10 dog owners here refuse to quit jobs they hate — the state now crowned America’s ‘most devoted’ to its pets

While it feels rewarding to own a pet, it comes with a set of responsibilities and great commitment.

PUBLISHED 11 HOURS AGO

(L) Frustrated man sits at his desk, (R) A couple with dog wrapped in American flag. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Luis Alvarez, (R) Aja Koska)

Dogs are fun, but also come with a great deal of commitment that dog owners have to swear by to ensure their furry friends’ overall well-being. A new survey tried to analyze the commitment and compromises owners have to make for their dogs that extend beyond the ordinary in 10 U.S. states. The Dog Devotion Score ranked states on how much owners would spend to save their dog’s life, move homes to accommodate them better, and even stay in a job they hate to pay for their pet expenses. A clear winner emerged with stiff competition among the top 10 states with the most devoted dog owners.

American Flag. (Representative Image Source: David Dibert)

The list revealed by Forbes Advisor crowned Colorado at #1 with a devotion score of 100. This meant that about half (43.5%) of the owners in Colorado were ready to spend more than $4,000 to save their dog’s life. Besides that, 11% would also stay in unhappy jobs for their pet’s sake. In all, pets highly influence their owners’ career and life decisions in Colorado more than any other U.S. state. Trailing behind is Virginia with a 94.41 score, where 41.5% of owners would burn a hole in their pocket to save their dog. The loyalty toward dogs is especially prevalent in the suburbs and mountain regions, as per a Mental Floss report.

Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels| Karolina Kaboompics — Man and woman exchanging money. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Karolina Kaboompics)

At the third rank was Georgia with a 92.45 score. The state is particularly known for its strong pet adoption culture and flourishing pet care industry. Alaska, Nevada, Texas, Arkansas, Washington, Delaware, and Oregon were the other states listed in the top 10. According to the Forbes report, pet ownership in the nation has surged over the past three decades, with 86.9 million homes owning a pet of some sort. While it feels rewarding to own a pet, it comes with a set of responsibilities and great commitment. Some owners may overlook the serious part of pet ownership and adopt a pet solely for selfish reasons.

Representative Image Source: Pixabay/Foden Nguyen — A couple with their dog. (Representative Image Source: Pixabay | Foden Nguyen)

However, the rising cases of abandonment have left rescue shelters running at full capacity. This is a direct result of irresponsible pet ownership and a lack of awareness about the commitment involved. According to a report by PETA, behavioral problems are the most common reason why pet owners surrender or abandon their pets. Changes in personal life, like a new family member, changing jobs, or moving homes, are also some of the reasons why pets may lose their family and be transferred to shelters. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers several recommendations tailored to the needs of current or future pet owners.

Veterinary Bill Payment form. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | glegorly)

The foremost step is to choose a pet wisely. Be it a cat, dog, or any other animal, a potential pet owner must carefully consider their personal circumstances before adopting a pet. Following adoption, an owner must be prepared to accommodate and care for the pet for their entire life and set aside necessary funds for pet insurance, food, vet bills, and outdoor activities. Keeping the pet happy and healthy is non-negotiable and must be accomplished without any limitations.