71% of Nextdoor neighbors own pets, and our community plays a vital role in pet safety, reuniting 1 in 4 lost pets with their families
Ask any Nextdoor neighbor about their household, and chances are a furry, feathered, or scaly family member will come up in conversation. Our latest research confirms what we see every day in neighborhood feeds across America: pets aren't just animals we own—they're essential members of our families. And neighbors treat them accordingly.
According to our newly released Pet Owners Insights Report, based on a January 2026 survey of U.S. neighbors:
71% of Nextdoor neighbors own a pet—with dogs (52%) and cats (46%) leading the pack, followed by fish (10%) and birds (5%).
70% cite companionship as their primary motivation for pet ownership—19% higher than the general population. Mental health benefits (27%) and staying active (22%) round out the top reasons.
Neighbors spend an average of $1,400 annually on pet care, with food ($548) and veterinary care ($530) representing the largest investments.
74% of neighbors prioritize ingredient quality over price when choosing pet food—and they're actually more diligent about reading their pet's food labels (43%) than their own (32%).
Perhaps the most striking finding in our research involves the community's role when pets go missing. One in four lost pets are reunited with their owners as a direct result of posting on Nextdoor. When a neighbor posts about a missing pet, the community mobilizes: one in three neighbors offer words of encouragement, one in four share recommendations on places to search or organizations to contact, and one in five offer to physically help with the search.
This community response isn't just comforting—it's effective. Among pets reported missing on Nextdoor, 66% were successfully reunited with their families, and 88% of neighbors who've experienced a lost pet would recommend posting on Nextdoor to others in similar situations.
These statistics represent real moments of relief for pet owners across the country. Take the story of Freddie, a cat who went missing in California during his family's move to a new home. After 72 days with no sightings, another neighbor spotted an unfamiliar cat in their backyard, snapped a photo, and posted it to Nextdoor asking if anyone recognized him. Sure enough, Freddie was home within hours. Stories like Freddie's play out daily across neighborhoods nationwide on Nextdoor. When the Arbanas family's dog Honey needed a c-section on Christmas that they couldn't afford, they turned to Nextdoor and found a vet who did the procedure for free. Sometimes the animals are a bit more unusual: A family in South Reno was reunited with their pet zebra after pictures of the escaped animal were posted to Nextdoor.
Our data reveals important seasonal patterns. Lost pet posts spike in July—likely due to Fourth of July fireworks startling pets into bolting. But the need for pet support on Nextdoor is year-round: 29% of neighbors need pet care throughout the year, and 40% specifically seek help during summer travel season.
Perhaps most telling: 91% of neighbors who have experienced a lost pet have since taken additional precautions—including microchipping, GPS trackers, and simply staying more vigilant. The community learns together.
For the 30% of neighbors who welcomed a new pet in the past year, the arrival triggered meaningful lifestyle changes. Among new pet owners, 88% now prioritize non-toxic products for their home, 84% clean more frequently, and 80% report feeling safer at home with their pet around.
Adoption remains the leading path to pet ownership on Nextdoor, with 32% of neighbors obtaining their most recent pet through adoption—38% higher than the general population. This community-minded approach to pet ownership reflects the broader Nextdoor ethos of neighbors helping neighbors.
As we enter a new year, neighbors have resolutions for their pets too: 48% want to increase their pet's daily exercise, 41% plan to focus more on grooming and dental care, and 34% are looking to upgrade to better quality food and treats.
One in four neighbors already use Nextdoor to seek pet-related advice and recommendations—from finding trusted local veterinarians to getting tips on the best dog parks in their area. The neighborhood feed has become an essential resource for pet parents navigating the joys and challenges of animal companionship.
Want to explore the complete findings? This summary highlights key insights from our research, but there's much more to discover. For the full report with detailed data, additional audience segments, and strategic recommendations for your campaigns, reach out to Jacob Chavis, Customer Analytics & Insights Manager, at jchavis@nextdoor.com. Our team can help you apply these insights to reach high-intent neighbors at the moments that matter most.
Methodology: Figures in this report are drawn from Nextdoor's survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, which fielded January 26–30, 2026.