2017’s Top 10 Chicago Neighborhoods for Dog Owners
Whether you live in Chicago and are having a tough time trying to find a new apartment that’s dog friendly, or you’re thinking of moving here and want to find a place that’s near like-minded dog lovers, we’re here to help. At Cruisin’ Canines, we help dog owners in Chicago with their dog walking needs, and because we provide services all over the city, we’ve got a good idea of where the best places to live are if you’ve got a pooch. Let’s check out the top 10 most dog-friendly neighborhoods in Chicago. 1. Montclare This neighborhood borders Elmwood Park and is on the Northwest side of Chicago. It features plenty of dog-friendly housing, the most veterinarians per capita, and it has four parks, perfect for letting your pup run around. 2. Lincoln Park Lincoln Park ranks fifth highest per capita when it comes to pet stores in the area, and it’s also home to PAWS animal shelter. In Lincoln Park, you’ll also find one of the largest dog parks in Chicago, Wiggly Field. 3. West Town West Town has an astonishing 27 parks, so it’s great for getting outdoors with man’s best friend. While pet stores are a bit more scarce in this part of the city, the area does have dozens of groomers, dog walkers, and other pet services. 4. The Loop/South Loop The Loop has the highest concentration of apartments that allow pets, at 71 percent. South Loop is just behind it with 70 percent. If you’ve hard a tough go at finding dog-friendly housing, set your sights on these areas. 5. West Loop The West Loop is perfect for the dog owner. It’s got plenty of trendy bars and restaurants with dog-friendly patios, and it also boasts a high concentration of pet-friendly housing, with 62% of the neighborhood’s apartments allowing animals. 6. Wicker Park This neighborhood is popular because of its rich atmosphere filled with great nightlife, great food, and more. It’s also got Wicker Park Dog Park, where your dog can run around off-leash. Median rent is $2,050 a month in Wicker Park, and 48 percent of its apartments are dog- or pet-friendly. 7. Roscoe Village Roscoe Village is filling up with many young families, making it a safe and quiet area for you to settle in. It’s got a fair amount of pet stores in the area, plus California Park, and about half of the apartments available are pet-friendly. 8. Humboldt Park Adjacent to the expansive and gorgeous park, this neighborhood has grown over the past several years, gaining many new young residents who are looking to live in a hot part of Chicago at a reasonable price. Forty-five percent of Humboldt Park’s apartments are pet-friendly, and the low median rent draws a lot of renters in. 9. Logan Square With a few veterinarians in Logan Square, plus the recently-renovated Logan Square Dog Park, this just-north-of-Humbolt-Park neighborhood is popular for a lot of the same reasons HP is. 10. Albany Park Finally, Albany Park, located on Chicago’s far north side, has affordable rent (median prices are $1,280 per month) and many apartments (44 percent) are dog friendly. LaBagh Woods is on the north border of Albany Park, as well, so you’ll be able to take your pup for long walks outside. Other Great Chicago Neighborhoods for Dog Owners In addition to the above popular neighborhoods, here are some others in Chicago that are ideal for dog owners. North Park Although only 43% of this neighborhood’s apartments are dog-friendly, it’s also among the most affordable at around $1,100 a month and is located a little north of Albany Park. Near West Side This neighborhood contains the reputable Animal Care Center of Chicago, the Tucker Pup’s Dog Activity Center, the well-maintained Skinner Park, and natural pet food stores. It has the fourth highest number of pet services per capita in Chicago, making it ideal for you and your four-legged friend. Edgewater Edgewater features quiet residential streets and pet-friendly apartments that are great for dogs and cats. It’s located near the Andersonville area, where pets often accompany their owners on shopping excursions, and there are plenty of dog walkers and boutique pet shops nearby. Where do you live? Tell us about why you love it (or not) as a dog owner!
6 Best 2016 Dog-Friendly Festivals in Chicago
One of the best parts about living in Chicago is that when the weather is warm, there’s never a shortage of things to do. Street festivals and neighborhood festivals happen nearly every weekend, and they cover all sorts of different ground—from festivals that celebrate a certain type of food to ones that showcase local music or art, there’s something for everyone all over the city. And best of all, these festivals are dog-friendly, so you can bring man’s best friend along for the ride. Let’s check out some of the best dog-friendly festivals in Chicago for 2016. Windy City Ribfest – July 2 Head on down to Lawrence and Broadway for Chicago’s most meat-heavy event. This festival draws more than 40,000 people and features a rib competition, activities for the kids, live music, and local vendors. West Fest – July 8-10 Located in Ukrainian Village, this festival is the perfect mix of local bands and DJs, eclectic vendors and artisans, great food, art, children’s activities, and more. Entrance is a $5 suggested donation, and thanks to the fest’s central location for a lot of popular neighborhoods, it’s a great mix of people and their dogs. PAWS Chicago’s 14th Annual Beach Party – July 14 PAWS Chicago Annual Beach Party is in its 14th year and going strong. Hosted at Castaways North Avenue Beach Boathouse on Lake Shore Drive, this event takes place from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 11, with tickets sold at $150 per person and $50 per dog. Lounge by the beach and drink summer cocktails from the open bar, enjoy a dinner buffet, check out silent and live auctions, and treat your pup to the Dog Spa, which features dog massages and “paw-di-cures.” EdgeFest – August 6-7 Edgefest celebrates all things Edgewater and is located on Broadway and Thorndsale Avenue. It’s in its fifth year, and feature great food, awesome music, karaoke, art, and, of course, dogs. West Loop Art Fair – September 17-18 If you love art and finding great gifts, home goods, jewelry and more, West Loop Art Fair is right up your alley. See an amazing lineup of 167 artists showcasing their craft. This fest also features local food and craft vendors and live music, giving attendees a taste of what the West Loop is about. Oktoberfest Chicago – September 23-25 Finally, we have one of Chicago’s oldest churches celebrating its German roots. Oktoberfest is hosted at St. Alphonsus Church in Lakeview, and is an outdoor fest that features things like brats, beers, and live music. Bring the pooch and spend the day hanging out with friends. What to Know About Bringing Your Dog to Festivals Making sure t hat you and your dog have a great time at street festivals in Chicago this year is easy. You will want to make sure that you have the essentials on you, like pick-up bags, a bottle of water and a bowl, dog treats, and dog booties/shoes (if the concrete or asphalt is hot). Expect that the festivals you bring your dog to will be very crowded, and plan accordingly—your dog may not react well to the loud music or bustling crowds, and you’ll want to watch out for kids who rush up to pet your dog. If you’re concerned about potential issues, it might be best to visit the festival during its slower hours. Keep in mind that they can get overheated very quickly, too, so have a reliable way to find your way home in case they start to act tired or overly thirsty. Chicago is great for dog-friendly events, and with a little bit of planning, you and your pooch can have a fun time outdoors! If you’d rather leave your pup at home, though, make sure you have a plan set up to ensure they get a chance to go outside for a walk while you’re out having fun! What’s your favorite fest to bring your dog to?
Our JULY Dog of the Month is
Stanley! Breed: Pug Age: 10 yrs- Birthday -January 29. Where I Live: Graceland West Joys in Life: Long Walks, Bubble Baths, and Apples w/Peanut Butter. Cruisin’ Dog Walker: Nate Dog Walking Buddies: Barry (the King Charles Spaniel) is his best bud, but he also loves to walk with Rio, Cleo, Nellie, and Huntley. So many friends!