fur the win

New virtual pet adoption event helps Houstonians find furry friends

Fall in love with this new virtual adoption event.

Photo courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent self-quarantining in America has seen at least one positive turn of events: more people are adopting pets, according to news reports across the country. The loneliness of lockdowns means people are seeking companions, which is clearly good news for shelter animals (to wit: see Ken Hoffman’s pet of the week).

To that end, a local animal group is spearheading a virtual event that aims to clear even more shelters and pair deserving animals with human companions. Best Friends Animals Society’s “Find Love Online” joins 11 local shelters and rescue groups in a national animal adoption effort, in tandem with Adopets, an adoption management software company.

Houstonians can head to the official adoption site, enter their ZIP code, and find their favorite furry friend. Corporate partners HBO Max will contribute $25 off to the first 800 adoptions, and Petco Foundation will also contribute $25 off to an additional 800 adoptions, according to Best Friends. Adopters will also receive a virtual adoption kit featuring offerings from Wellness Natural Pet Food, Fresh Step, 1800PetMeds, PAWZ, and more.

From the comfort of their homes, potential adopters can apply to adopt a cat or dog, arrange a meet-and-greet, complete the adoption contract, pay the adoption fee, and schedule their pet pickup.

Why adopt now? According to data from Best Friends, numerous studies reveal that the companionship of animals has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and lessen anxiety.

“Many first-time fosters or adopters who have been working from home during the pandemic have realized how easy it is to care for a pet, and that they really do have time to have a pet around, even after they go back to work,” said Kerry McKeel, senior program manager for Best Friends Animal Society Houston, in a statement.

pets

love on a budget

Texas makes top 10 for most affordable date nights in the U.S.

Photo by Christina Griffin/WDR Imagery

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Finding love on a budget has never been easier in Texas, which was just ranked one of the top 10 states with the most affordable date costs in the country.

Texans spend about $81 on average for a typical date night, which is the 10th cheapest cost out of all 50 states, according to a new study from dating advice platform Muse.

The report compared statewide costs for a date based on the average price of a restaurant meal for two and the average price of a soft drink, domestic beer, and a bottle of wine. Muse additionally extrapolated total costs across "basic," "standard," and "premium" dinner date tiers. Pricing data was provided from consumer pricing database Numbeo on February 2, 2026.

Texas' typical dinner date cost is nearly $11 lower than the $91.75 national average.

This is how the analysis broke down the average price of a dinner date in Texas:

Mid-range restaurant meal for two: $66.67
Soft drink: $2.47
Domestic beer: $6
Bottle of wine: $13.41

Based on these figures, Muse determined that the cost of a "basic" date in Texas – defined as "a three-course meal for two and two soft drinks" – adds up to $71.61. Texans spend an average $78.17 for a "standard" date, meaning the same three-course meal but sub in two domestic beers instead of soft drinks. "Premium" dates for couples, who splurge on a bottle of wine with their meal, will rack up a $93.49 bill at the end of the night, the data says.

Houstonians have extra bragging rights considering the city is conveniently home to one of the most romantic restaurants in America.

States with the most and least expensive date costs
West Virginia topped the list with the most affordable date nights in the U.S., with the typical date costing $60.22, far lower than the national average. Hawaii, on the other hand, is the most expensive state for dinner date in the nation. The average cost for a date in the Aloha state will set couples back by $144.24.

"People often assume it’s the drinks that make date nights expensive, but it’s really the meal that changes everything," a Muse spokesperson said. "Depending on where you live, the same dinner for two could cost twice as much, and that adds up fast when you're planning something special for Valentine’s Day. No matter the price tag, what matters most is the time spent together, but knowing where your dollar stretches further never hurts."

Celebrating love doesn't have to revolve around going out for dinner. There are many ways to surprise your sweetheart that don't involve going out to eat, like visiting a local museum or going on a romantic retreat elsewhere around Texas.

The top 10 most affordable states for a dinner date with their average costs are:

No. 1 – West Virginia ($60.22)
No. 2 – North Dakota ($65.67)
No. 3 – Minnesota ($68.33)
No. 4 – Alabama ($69.74)
No. 5 – Mississippi ($74.37)
No. 6 – Illinois ($74.97)
No. 7 – Kansas ($75.14)
No. 8 – Georgia ($76)
No. 9 – Wyoming ($78.50)
No. 10 – Texas ($81.09)

texas reports dating restaurants