Walking The Dog

Animal group encourages Austin pet owners to think about the paws

Irene's Backyard BBQ and Outdoor Voices Dog Jog

On hot days, walk your dog early in the morning.

Photo courtesy of Irene's

Austin's sidewalks are getting deluged with decals, part of a campaign to remind pet owners that walking your dog on hot pavement can burn its paws.

Famed animal group PETA is dropping the decals near dog parks and other busy spots around Austin, to elevate awareness about just how hot cement can get, and how quickly it can injure the sensitive paw portion on dogs' feet during summer walks.

The decals show a dog with a bandaged foot alongside the words "Hot Streets Can Burn Dogs' Feet." The goal is to encourage pet owners to test the temperature of the sidewalk before heading out on a hot day. If it's hot, stick to the grass only, or else walk your dog early in the morning.

It's a message worth spreading, as the sight of an unwitting pet owner walking his or her dog midday is not uncommon. Even if the day is at a relatively moderate (by Texas standards) 87 degrees, the asphalt temperature can hit 140 degrees. That's hot enough to cause burns and permanent damage after just one minute of contact.

"On hot pavement, dogs' paw pads can fry," says PETA president Ingrid Newkirk. "PETA's eye-catching signs remind people to take simple steps when walking their dogs so that every step isn't agony."

Hot sidewalks also reflect heat onto dogs' bodies, increasing their risk of suffering from deadly heatstroke.

PETA recommends that you test the pavement with your hand before setting out. If it burns your hands, it will also burn the tender skin on dogs' paws. Consider walking early in the morning or late at night when it's cooler.

Other tips for hot weather walks: Carry water, take frequent breaks in shady spots, and never make dogs wear muzzles that restrict their breathing.

Here's where you can see PETA's "Hot Streets Can Burn Dogs' Feet" pavement decals:

Auditorium Shores at Town Lake Metropolitan Park, 600 Barton Springs Rd. and 1085 Barton Springs Rd.
Austin Urban Vet Center, 710 W. Fifth St.
Bark 'N Purr Pet Center, 4604 Burnet Rd.
Cedar Door, 198 Brazos St.
Crú, 251 W. Second St.
Davis White Northeast District Park, 5909 Crystalbrook Dr.
Great OutDogs Pet Store, 1210 Barton Springs Rd.
Montopolis Neighborhood Park, 6143 Larch Ter.
Mueller Central, 4550 Mueller Blvd.
Norwood Estate Dog Park, 1009 Edgecliff Ter.
Peace Point at Town Lake Metropolitan Park, 2200 S. Lakeshore Blvd.
Prime Pet, 2505 E. Sixth St.
Red Bud Isle Dog Park, 3401 Redbud Trl.
Rivers & Reefs Pet Center, 2008 S. First St.
Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park, 2525 S. Lakeshore Blvd.
West Austin Dog Park, 1313 Ninth St. and 1317 W. 10th St.
Yard Bar, 6700 Burnet Rd.
Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd.

weather pets

WFH life

Austin plugs in as 2nd cheapest large U.S. city for remote workers

Photo by Lewis Guapo on Unsplash

Working remotely in Austin is far more affordable than many other U.S. cities.

Austin's thriving telework industry is already known for being among the most prominent in the country, and as it turns out, it's one of the most affordable, too. A recent study by online retailer The Perfect Rug has revealed Austin is the No. 2 cheapest U.S. city center for remote work.

The report ranked the top 10 largest U.S. cities based on population data, the number of coworking spaces and cafes per capita, statewide average internet speeds, average apartment rent prices, and more.

Austin falls second to the far west Texas city of El Paso (No. 1), and is followed by Houston in the No. 3 spot.

When it comes to finding the best place to work remotely, Austin has an abundance of options including coffee shops, coworking spaces, and local library branches. According to the report's data, there are about six coworking spaces and 26 cafes per capita in the city, but Austinites know best that there is a much wider variety of places to work from "home" than whatever number a study determines.

The average internet speed in Texas is 425.9 mbps (megabits per second), which is the fourth-highest internet speed out of the six total states (and the District of Columbia) mentioned in the study. Pennsylvania, Washington, and Washington, D.C. all have faster average internet speeds, at 430.8, 451, and 473.8 mpbs, respectively.

The Perfect Rug also calculated the average costs for meals, coffee, and monthly rent in Austin:

$1,467 per month – Average apartment rent cost in central Austin
$21 per hour – Average cost for a desk at a coworking space
$16.99 – Average cost for a meal
$5.36 – Average cost for a coffee

Furthermore, Austin-based remote workers are technically saving on fuel costs compared to those who have to commute into the city daily for their jobs.

A spokesperson for The Perfect Rug said Texas cities like El Paso, Austin, and Houston are far more popular for "budget-conscious" remote workers partially because rent costs are far lower in comparison to many other U.S. cities.

"On the other hand, cities like Washington, D.C., and Seattle, while more expensive, compensate with faster internet speeds and a higher density of workspaces, which can enhance the remote work experience," the spokesperson said. "Finding the right balance between cost and amenities is key for remote workers seeking both productivity and affordability."

Elsewhere in Texas, San Antonio ranked as the fifth most affordable city for teleworkers, followed by Dallas (No. 7).

The top 10 cheapest U.S. cities for remote workers are:

No. 1 – El Paso, Texas
No. 2 – Austin, Texas
No. 3 – Houston, Texas
No. 4 – Seattle, Washington
No. 5 – San Antonio, Texas
No. 6 – Washington, D.C.
No. 7 – Dallas, Texas
No. 8 – Denver, Colorado
No. 9 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
No. 10 – Nashville, Tennessee

austin reports rankings remote work