Washington’s numerous activists and wildlife watchers and lack of puppy mills make the nation’s capital the fourth-most animal-friendly city in the country, according to the U.S. Humane Society.
The animal rights organization announced its inaugural index to measure how the 25 most-populated cities make their communities safer for animals.
The Humane Index examined including circus attendance, fur stores, vegetarian restaurants and markets that sell turtles and frogs for eating. Public dog parks weren’t taken into consideration.
“We hope it’s a good conversation-starter that inspires people to take action,” said Jennifer Fearing, the group’s chief economist and author ofthe index.
San Francisco was named the most humane city, ahead of Seattle, Portland and Washington. Chicago finished last.
Washington, a city of advocates and journalists, ranked No. 1 for its efforts to protect animals and No. 2 for its major newspaper coverage of animal issues.
Washingtonians also showed their humane side by refusing to buy puppies from pet stores, Fearing said. Less than 25 percent of the area’s pet stores sold puppies, which Fearing said typically come from high-volume commercial operations that breed dogs in shockingly poor conditions.
The Washington metro area has the fifth most wildlife rehabilitators, with 40 people licensed to come to the aid of injured or orphaned animals. The index revealed that there are two areas where D.C.-area residents can improve. Washington had the second highest number of fur retailers, behind New York.
And many area residents flock to the circus, which hauls animals from location to location and makes them perform unnatural acts, Fearing said.
