Austin is one of six cities home to the most dog-friendly restaurants per capita. 

By Harshita Avirneni, Illustrations by Jessica Wetterer

No. 4 Many an Austinite has long known the capital city is in love with pets, but now it’s official. According to WalletHub’s 2019 ranking of the most pet-friendly cities in the U.S., Austin ranks fourth based on a variety of criteria, including the costs associated with pet care, the number of pet-friendly businesses and the amount of pet-related outdoor opportunities available. Among the city’s pet-loving attributes noted in the findings is that Austin is one of six cities home to the most dog-friendly restaurants per capita. 

80 Percent Currently, more than 80 percent of veterinary students in the U.S. are women, according to Veterinarian’s Money Digest, with total enrollment at vet schools expanding exponentially in the past 35 years. While lady veterinarians are caring for our fur babies, pets are also contributing to humans’ health, with studies showing the health benefits of pet parenthood include decreased blood pressure, lowered cholesterol levels, less depression, more opportunities for fitness and increased overall well-being. 

85 Million According to the American Pet Products Association, pet parenthood has risen 12 percent in the last 30 years, from 56 percent to 68 percent. Currently, nearly 85 million households have a pet, with younger pet lovers (millennials and Generation Z) accounting for 62 percent of pet parents in the U.S. 

22 Years Known as the event in which the wiener takes all, the Buda Wiener Dog Races in Buda, Texas, celebrated 22 years of wiener-dog domination in April. Every spring, wiener-dog supporters from throughout Texas attend the races to cheer on their favorite short-legged pups. We think it’s a doggone excellent way to celebrate one of the canine world’s scrappiest breeds! 

44 Women Every year, Pet Age names its Women of Influence Awards winners, honoring women who are influential in the pet industry. Among the 44 women honored in 2018 was Austinite Jennifer Gibbs, vice president of sales for pet-food company Nulo, which boasts its products as “nutrition meets love in every bite.” 


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