A dog’s dream, a city’s future: Rethinking urban life for pets and people alike

Imagine a city where walking your dog doesn’t feel like an obstacle course. Where parks welcome pets, sidewalks have shade and grabbing a coffee doesn’t mean leaving your furry friend tied up outside. That’s the kind of city Mars Inc. — the chocolate and pet food giant — hopes to help build through its expanded Better Cities for Pets program.

Launched globally this week with the help of C40 Cities (a major network of mayors committed to climate action), the program is looking to make cities more pet-friendly — and greener — by 2030. At the crux of the idea is to create healthier, more welcoming places for pets and people.

What is the Better Cities for Pets concept?

At the heart of the Better Cities for Pets idea is a $1 million investment to redesign urban spaces with pets in mind — starting with pilot cities like London, Los Angeles and Bangkok. At the core of this idea is the Urban Nature Playbook — a guide for cities on how to rethink green spaces so they’re good for mental health, climate resilience and pet companionship.

This might sound lofty, but it actually stems from a simple problem: Only four in 10 urban pet parents think their neighbourhoods are truly pet-friendly. This new playbook gives practical ideas to city planners and urban developers to help people more people and pet-friendly neighbourhoods. For instance, more tree-lined sidewalks (which also help with heat), including dog-friendly parks, adding accessible water stations and developing shared spaces where people and pets can connect — safely and comfortably.

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So where does Canada fit into the Better Cities for Pets concept?

Toronto and Vancouver haven’t been named in this first wave — yet — but both cities are part of the C40 Cities group. That’s a big deal. It means they’re already collaborating on climate-focused projects and are well-positioned to jump on board with pet-focused initiatives, especially ones that double as climate solutions.

And both cities are no strangers to this kind of work:

• Toronto has long been working to expand green space and improve walkability.
• Vancouver has a reputation for being eco-conscious and has steadily grown its network of off-leash parks and pet-friendly zones.

If either city adopts the playbook or partners with Mars Inc., we could see some interesting (and practical) changes to daily life — like shaded walking routes, more places that welcome pets indoors and more outdoor areas where pets and people can hang out together.

Why pets matter

This isn’t just about dogs in sweaters or cats in strollers. Pets genuinely improve our lives — especially in cities where stress, loneliness and screen time often dominate. According to Mars' own global study:

• 83% of pet parents say their pet boosts their mental health
• Over half say their pets help them feel more socially connected

This all makes sense given the opportunities pet owners have to interact with their neighbours. For instance, take a walk with a dog through a busy neighbourhood and you’ll almost always end up in conversation. In the end: Pets create community.

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A small change with a big impact?

If cities like Toronto or Vancouver adopt this program, it could mean:

• More freedom and flexibility for pet parents
• New ways for neighborhoods to build community
• A healthier urban environment that’s designed with living things — not just cars and condos — in mind.

It’s not revolutionary, but it is smart and a little overdue.

Bottom Line

Making cities better for pets could be a surprisingly effective way to make cities better for everyone. Whether that means more green space, cooler sidewalks or simply a place to grab a coffee with your dog by your side — it’s a future a lot of Canadians might just want to see.