Melbourne, Florida, has been named the 13th most cat-friendly city in the U.S. by PetSmart, according to rankings released July 8. The designation is based on data from PetSmart Charities cat adoptions and sales of cat-related products in the area. This marks the first time Melbourne has made the list, which typically groups Brevard County under the broader Space Coast region.
The ranking comes as a local writer shares his personal journey from dog owner to cat advocate. John A. Torres, a resident of Brevard County, said his experience with a dog named Sylar—a Bichon Frise and Poodle mix—led him to reconsider his preference for pets. Torres adopted Sylar from an animal shelter in Brevard County around 15 years ago, but the dog's tendency to escape left him wary. "The first night he bolted out of the house," Torres said. "I pictured him on SR A1A with my kids crying." That incident, he said, shifted his perspective toward cats.
PetSmart's methodology for the rankings includes analysis of cat adoption rates and sales of cat grooming products across its stores. The company did not provide specific numbers for Melbourne's performance, but the inclusion in the top 13 reflects growing demand for cat-related services in the area. Local animal shelters and pet stores have noted increased interest in cat adoptions over the past five years, according to interviews with staff.
Torres acknowledged the controversy his views might stir. "This is going to make half of you angry," he wrote. "But I’ve found that people fall into two groups: dog people and cat people." While he remains critical of dogs' unpredictable behavior, he praised cats for their "brazen honesty." The rankings, he said, validate a trend he has observed in his own life and community.