According to the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the state of Arkansas has the highest percentage of households that own a dog and Vermont the highest that own a cat. States that own the fewest dogs and cats are also named.

The study was conducted in 2012, but is based on numbers from December 31, 2011; results are drawn from a survey of more than 50,000 households in the United States.

Top 10 pet-owning states (percentage of households that owned a pet): The 10 states with the fewest pet-owning households (percentage of households that owned a pet): 1. Vermont: 70.8% 1. Rhode Island 53% 2. New Mexico: 67.6% 2. Minnesota: 53% 3. South Dakota: 65.6% 3. California: 52.9% 4. Oregon: 63.6% 4. Maryland: 52.3% 5. Maine: 62.9% 5. Illinois: 51.8% 6. Washington: 62.7% 6. Nebraska: 51.3% 7. Arkansas: 62.4% 7. Utah: 51.2% 8. West Virginia: 62.1% 8. New Jersey: 50.7% 9. Idaho: 62% 9. New York: 50.6% 10. Wyoming: 61.8% 10. Massachusetts: 50.4%

Note: The District of Columbia’s pet ownership rate was the lowest at 21.9 percent.

States with the most dog owners (percentage of households that owned a dog): States with the fewest dog owners (percentage of households that owned a dog): 1. Arkansas: 47.9% 1. Illinois: 32.4% 2. New Mexico: 46% 2. New Jersey: 32.4% 3. Kentucky: 45.9% 3. Minnesota: 31.9% 4. Missouri: 45.9% 4. Maryland: 30.8% 5. West Virginia: 45.8% 5. New Hampshire: 30.3% 6. Mississippi: 45.2% 6. Utah: 29.4% 7. Alabama: 44.1% 7. Rhode Island: 29.3% 8. Tennessee: 44.1% 8. New York: 29% 9. Texas: 44% 9. Connecticut: 28.3% 10. Oklahoma: 43.2% 10. Massachusetts: 23.6%

Note: The District of Columbia’s dog ownership rate was the lowest at 13.1 percent.

States with the most cat owners (percentage of households that owned a cat): States with the fewest cat owners (percentage of households that owned a cat): 1. Vermont: 49.5% 1. California: 28.3% 2. Maine: 46.4% 2. South Carolina: 27.8% 3. Oregon: 40.2% 3. Rhode Island: 27.6 4. South Dakota: 39.1% 4. Alabama: 27.4% 5. Washington: 39% 5. Florida: 27.3% 6. West Virginia: 38.1% 6. Georgia: 27.3% 7. Kentucky: 36.8% 7. Illinois: 26.3% 8. Idaho: 34.6% 8. Louisiana: 25.9% 9. Indiana: 34.4% 9. New Jersey: 25.3% 10. New Hampshire: 34.2% 10. Utah: 24.6%

Note: The District of Columbia cat ownership rate was the lowest at 11.6 percent.

These statistics are but a sample of what the complete report has to offer. To order the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook for 2012, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association website.