According to a recent nationwide poll, more than 87 million households have at least one pet, and in nearly all of them, pets are viewed as part of the family, providing companionship, emotional support, and opportunities for social interaction (Megna, 2024). The Houston metropolitan area ranked fourth in the country for share of households with dogs and eighth for cats in 2021 (Jordan, 2022). This brief takes a closer look at who has pets in Houston and Harris County, including further exploring the different types and number of pets people have, as well as the self-reported benefits that come with having them.