Find Your Purrrfect Match

Stretch, smile, and save a life during two upcoming Houston SPCA events

Join Paws & Pilates on August 29.

Photo courtesy of Houston SPCA

Saturday, August 29, is shaping up to be a big day for animal lovers at the Houston SPCA. The day begins with Paws & Pilates, a morning workout with a feel-good purpose, followed by an afternoon of adoptable pets, family fun, and plenty of opportunities to find a new four-legged friend during Clear the Shelters.

Start the day with Paws & Pilates
A little movement can go a long way — especially when it helps animals in need. From 9-11 am on August 29, the Houston SPCA will host Paws & Pilates in collaboration with Club Pilates Rice Military. The beginner/Level 1 mat Pilates flow is designed to get participants moving while supporting the Houston SPCA’s 2026 Howl-O-Ween Ball.

Registration is $75, which includes the Pilates session and complimentary beverages. With only 40 spots available, anyone interested in starting the weekend with a workout and a worthy cause will want to reserve a spot soon.

And the timing couldn't be better: Once the workout wraps, participants can simply head to the next-door campus for an entirely different kind of pick-me-up — lots of adorable animals.

Then, head to Clear the Shelters
Beginning at 11 am on August 29, the Houston SPCA will kick off its Clear the Shelters event, inviting Houstonians to spend the day meeting adoptable pets who are ready to find their forever families.

The event runs from 11 am-6 pm at the Houston SPCA, 7007 Old Katy Rd., and offers plenty of family-friendly entertainment alongside the main attraction: the animals.

Whether visitors are actively searching for a new companion or simply want to support local animal welfare, Clear the Shelters offers an opportunity to connect with pets looking for their next chapter. For families, it’s also a fun way to introduce children to the importance of compassion, responsible pet ownership, and helping animals in the community.

Houston SPCA You might just meet your new best friend.Getty Images

More than just an adoption event
There will be plenty happening throughout the day beyond meeting the adoptable dogs and cats. Guests can pick up free giveaways and special treats, including Hill’s Pet Adoption Gift Bags and fun giveaways from VCA Animal Hospitals. Kids can get creative with balloon animals and face painting, then stop by an education station for an engaging learning experience.

Animal lovers can also meet wildlife experts and ambassador birds, offering a glimpse at some of the other important work happening at the Houston SPCA.

With activities for kids, opportunities to meet animals, and plenty to see and do, Clear the Shelters makes it easy to turn an ordinary Saturday into a memorable family outing. And for anyone who has been thinking, “Maybe it’s time for a pet,” this could be the sign they've been waiting for.

Make a day of it
The combination of Paws & Pilates and Clear the Shelters makes August 29 an especially easy day to support the Houston SPCA. Participants can start the morning by moving their bodies and supporting animal welfare, then stick around for an afternoon of family fun and potentially meet a new best friend.

Whether the goal is to get active, find a furry companion, entertain the kids, or simply spend a Saturday doing something meaningful, the Houston SPCA has plenty of reasons to make August 29 a date worth marking on the calendar.

Paws & Pilates: Saturday, August 29, 9-11 am
Clear the Shelters: Saturday, August 29, 11 am-6 pm

The Houston SPCA’s adoption center is open daily from 11 am-6 pm, and the animal rescue and protection organization’s campus is located at 7007 Old Katy Rd. in Houston.

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Settling Down

Houston earns top-10 rank among best places to retire in Texas in 2026

A Houston park with a bench and a little free library

Photo by Kenny Perez on Unsplash

Retirement unlocks more opportunities to spend time outdoors.

Houstonians getting ready to give up the daily grind are already living in a good place for their next chapter in life. Houston has just been named the No. 6 best city to retire in Texas, and it lands as the 82nd best city in the U.S., according to a new WalletHub report.

The study examined 182 U.S. cities and ranked them based on 45 "retirement-friendly" livability metrics across four key dimensions: affordability, activities, quality of life, and health care.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Florida dominated the top 10, with Orlando, Miami, and Tampa locking in the top three spots and Fort Lauderdale ranking eighth on the list.

Houston fared best in the "affordability" category, ranking 35th nationally. This encompassed the local cost of living, taxpayer-friendliness, the costs for in-home services, and other factors. Costs were a significant factor in the report, as many retirees live on a fixed income.

Finances and affordability also play a huge part in determining where to live once it's time to put up those work boots, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said.

"As a result, the best cities for retired people are those that minimize taxes and expenses, as well as have good opportunities for retirees to continue paid work for extra income, if they choose to do so," he said. "In addition, the top cities provide high-quality health care and offer plenty of enjoyable activities for retirees."

The city also earned a respectable rank as No. 43 in the "activities" category, which analyzed attractions and entertainment venues for seniors, like the number of per capita museums, theaters, book clubs, senior centers, and bingo halls.

Houston fell behind in the remaining two nationwide categories for the best "health care" (No. 158) and "quality of life"(No. 167) for retirees.

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin topped the list as the No. 1 best place to retire statewide, and it ranked No. 23 nationwide. San Antonio ranked No. 2 statewide and 47th nationally, and Dallas claimed the No. 3 spot statewide and was the only other Texas city to rank among the national top 50.

This is how other Texas cities ranked in the report:

No. 75 – Plano
No. 78 – Fort Worth
No. 82 – Houston
No. 87 – Brownsville
No. 91 – Grand Prairie
No. 101 – Garland
No. 107 – Irving
No. 123 – El Paso
No. 124 – Arlington
No. 134 – Corpus Christi
No. 140 – Laredo
No. 143 – Amarillo
No. 155 – Lubbock

wallethub reports retirement city life rankings