Oct 24, 2022 - News

Houston ranks fourth among metros for dog ownership

Share of households with dogs in the biggest U.S. metro areas
Data: U.S. Census American Housing Survey; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

We sure do love pets in Houston — and the data proves it.

Why it matters: The high rates of dog and cat ownership among Houstonians reflect our love and appreciation for animals.

Driving the news: Data from the U.S. Census shows that among major metro areas, Houston has the fourth-highest percentage of households with dogs.

  • About 952,400 households in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro reported having at least one dog in their home, representing 37% of the 2.6 million households in the region.

By the numbers: Of the households with pups, 544,900 have one, 277,300 have two and 73,700 have three.

  • And about 56,600 households reported having four or more dogs. How do you feed all of them?

But what about cats? Only 16% of households in the region have cats, according to the data, still ranking us eighth among big metro areas.

Share of households with cats in the biggest U.S. metro areas
Data: U.S. Census American Housing Survey; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

The intrigue: 65,400 local households have small mammals as pets, 92,500 have fish, 54,500 have birds and 68,600 have reptiles, according to the data.

Get involved: Don't have a pet yet or looking to add more loving animals to your house? Houston's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control (BARC) is always looking for prospective pet owners and foster homes.

  • Every Wednesday, the shelter offers $20 discounted adoption fees.
Jay and his dog Roxy, a Belgian Malinois mix, look on
Jay and Roxy distracted by a squirrel. Photo: Jay R. Jordan/Axios

💭 Jay's thought bubble: My girlfriend adopted our dog, Roxy, from BARC just before the pandemic started — and we couldn't be happier.

  • Roxy spent several weeks at the shelter before she entered our lives, and we've all been better for it ever since.

🐕 Own a pet? Send us a pic and we might feature it in an upcoming newsletter!

  • Bonus points if the pet is dressed up for Halloween.
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