Barking up the right tree

Houston collars spot among most pet-friendly cities in America

Johnny Steele Dog Park Allen Parkway pug

H-Town is the No. 35 most pet-friendly place in the nation.

Photo by Jacob Power

There’s no doubt that pet owners in Houston love their four-legged friends, and a new ranking of the most pet-friendly cities in America says just as much.

WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities in terms of pet budget, pet health and wellness, and outdoor pet-friendliness to determine the best and worst places for our furry friends. Houston ranks 35th best in the nation.

H-Town impresses as the 29th best city in pet budget, which takes into account the city's low costs for pet-care provider visits (No. 10), as well as the higher costs of dog insurance premiums (No. 37) and veterinary care (No. 50).

Houston slips a bit, to No. 44, in pet health and wellness, which the study determines by tallying up the number of veterinarians, animal trainers, caretakers, dog-friendly restaurants, and more per capita. The study also scores health and wellness in terms of home sizes, pet-friendliness in the rental market, and welcoming hotels.

Interestingly, while the city boasts a large share of parklands (No. 17), good walk score (No. 34), and high number of dog parks and dog shows per capita, Houston ranks low in the number of dog-friendly trails per capita (No. 78) and weather (No. 86), contributing to its No. 59 ranking in outdoor pet-friendliness.

Texas has no shortage of pet hot spots, according to WalletHub, with Austin ranking No. 4 overall, followed by San Antonio at No. 22, and Fort Worth at No. 25. At the top of the list is Scottsdale, Arizona. The least pet-friendly city, though, is Fresno, California.

lists reports rankings wallethub families pets

Shopping scene

Eyewear, boys' clothes, and 'splendid' ice cream coming to Rice Village

RIce Village at dusk with shoppers walking around

COurtesy Rice Village

Shoppers in Rice Village will have more options, with three new retailers set to open in the coming weeks.

Shoppers in Rice Village are about to have an even broader selection of boutiques and eateries. The Rice Real Estate Company announced this week the arrival of New Orleans-based eyewear brand KREWE, local boys’ boutique ParkerJoe, and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.

KREWE offers luxury sunglasses and optical frames that draw inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans. Designs blend classic and contemporary aesthetics, creating unique, fashion-forward frames. The retailer will occupy a 941-square-foot store at 5515 Kelvin Dr. Suite 125, and opens in time for shoppers to find great gifts or get a new look for the holidays. The Rice Village location is the brand's first brick-and-mortar location in Houston. There’s a grand opening fête on Saturday, December 7 from 5 to 8 pm with creative New Orleans fare, live music, and other fun.

In January 2025, shoppers can look forward to ParkerJoe. It’s the second location for the mother-daughter-owned shop, specializIng in apparel for boys from newborns to around 12 years old. Shoppers will find a rich selection of apparel, accessories, shoes, toys, and books, as well as specialty items such as golf and tennis apparel, suits, formalwear, and Texas-themed toys and clothing.The new boutique will occupy a 1,975-square-foot store at 5515 Kelvin Drive, between Vuori and Paper Source.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams also joins the mix, opening a 1,603-square-foot location at 5411 Morningside Drive, across from Torchy's Tacos, in early 2025. Jeni's has gained a cult following for its one-of-a-kind ice creams such as Brown Butter Almond Brittle and Brambleberry Crisp.

The new retailers further cement the Village’s reputation as a shopping destination, offering customers a wide selection of eclectic finds.

"Rice Village continues to attract a dynamic mix of local and national brands," said Kenneth Jett, vice president for facilities and capital planning and president of Rice Real Estate Company. "These new tenants reflect our commitment to providing a vibrant, walkable destination for shopping, dining, and community experiences. We are thrilled to welcome these esteemed brands to our community.”

The new additions complement recently opened stores like The Beaufort Bonnet Company, an upscale children’s lifestyle apparel brand located at 5515 Kelvin Drive Suite 120 and Paper Source, a haven for stationery enthusiasts and craft lovers, located just steps away at 5515 Kelvin Dr. Suite 100. Rice Village is also home to a number of restaurants, including Navy Blue, Hamsa, and Sixty Vines.

Courtesy of Rice Village

Shoppers in Rice Village will have more options, with three new retailers set to open in the coming weeks.

rice village openings shopping ice-cream