Cat Searches Surpass Dog Searches in Juneau, Apartments.com Data Shows

Renters in Juneau are increasingly looking for homes that accommodate cats over dogs, according to new data from Apartments.com.

In the second quarter of 2026, cat-friendly apartments accounted for 46% of pet-filtered rental searches in Alaska’s capital, up from 35% during the same period last year.

This 11-percentage-point jump represents the largest increase among 210 U.S. rental markets examined in the study, as reported by Juneau Empire. While cats are gaining ground in the capital, the trend has not yet swept through the rest of the state.

In Anchorage, dog-friendly searches still lead with a 48% share compared to 33% for cats. Fairbanks shows an even sharper preference for canines, with dog-friendly searches making up 51% of pet-filtered results against 33% for cats.

Juneau’s reversal mirrors a broader national movement in rental habits. Across the 210 markets studied, cat-friendly searches rose from a 30% average in the second quarter of 2025 to 33% in 2026. Conversely, dog-friendly searches dipped from 53% to 49% nationally.

Juneau joins a small group of cities, including Portland, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Pittsburgh, where renters are actively seeking cat-friendly housing more often than dog-friendly options. However, the data tracks search filters rather than the actual number of animals living in homes. This distinction means the findings do not necessarily prove that more landlords are accepting cats or that more pet-friendly inventory has entered the market.

Finding a landlord willing to accept a pet is only one part of the equation for Juneau residents; the cost of doing so is mounting. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported that Juneau’s rental vacancy rate stood at 4.1% in 2026. Out of 934 units surveyed, only 38 were vacant.

Monthly contract rents in the area averaged $1,623, an increase from $1,504 the previous year. These rising costs leave many renters with limited flexibility in their household budgets for pet-related expenses.

The cost of housing a pet can vary significantly by building. At Mendenhall Tower in downtown Juneau, for example, residents may keep up to two cats or dogs, but they face a $500 nonrefundable fee per animal and $50 in monthly pet rent. While cats face no breed restrictions at the property, certain dog breeds are prohibited.

For a resident moving in with a single cat, these specific fees total $1,100 in the first year alone, excluding the costs of food, litter, and general maintenance.

Metric	Cat-Friendly (National)	Dog-Friendly (National)
Average Monthly Rent	$1,825	$1,836
Average Monthly Pet Rent	$30.57	$32.97

The preference for felines appears most pronounced among younger renters. Among those aged 18 to 24, searches for cat-friendly apartments accounted for 41% of pet-policy searches, while dog-friendly searches sat at 27%. Older age groups continue to favor dogs.

For those moving or facing urgent housing needs, the Juneau Animal Rescue offers a temporary safe-keeping program for pets.

While the surge in feline searches suggests a change in consumer interest, the tight rental market in Juneau suggests that finding actual availability remains a primary challenge for pet owners.

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