Colorado Springs, CO. is at the top of a Forbes Magazine list of the best pet-friendly places to live. The list includes Portland, Ore., Albuquerque, N.M. and Charlotte, N.C., cities that are large enough to draw lots of pet shops, vets and public parks, but small enough not to be facing dense overpopulation.

The pet-factor may be a big consideration when millions of Americans decide where to live, and where to retire. 'Americans love their pets, shelling out more for food, supplies and veterinary care than they do on consumer staples like beer, ice cream, cosmetics and golf--some $36 billion annually. The combined total of cats and dogs in the U.S. is estimated at 163 million, or more than one for every two people' - Forbes, 'America's Most Pet-Friendly Places,' published Oct. 10, 2007.