In 2024, around 5.8 million animals entered shelters, and approximately 4.1 million found adoptive homes. Although euthanasia rates continue to decline, an estimated 607,000 animals were still euthanized.
The numbers are startling in America. The rate at which dogs and cats are impounded is astronomical, which isn’t an exaggeration. It’s a fact. But the only way to discuss animal shelter statistics is to be honest and factual, and this article will do both.
There is no governmental oversight of reporting shelter agencies’ statistics, so no one has exact numbers. The government will devise reports and talk about trends, but the actual statistics are left to the devices of the shelters themselves and the people who care.
Fortunately, groups like Shelter Animals Count (SAC) have shouldered the responsibility of organizing data gathered from shelters. Now, let’s delve deep into this topic… for the sake of the animals!
Why is it important to extract and organize collected data from animal shelters? Without it, we would have no idea how many animals are living and dying inside shelters. This information is paramount to control and (hopefully) abolish the need for animal shelters.
Simply put, it’s so the animals can be served better.
Most Disturbing Animal Shelter Facts at a Glance
- There are 4,133 animal shelters in the US
- 2.8 million animals arrived at US animal shelters
- 1.9 million cats and dogs are adopted
- In 2024, 607,000 animals were euthanized
- 82% of the animal shelters in the US are no-kill shelters
- About 70% of US households have pets
Shelter Infrastructure & General Statistics
According to the Latest Stats, There Are 4,133 Animal Shelters and 9,421 rescues in the US (Shelter Animals Count, SAC)
In 2022, the Humane Society cited over 3,500 animal shelters across the U.S., while in 2025, SAC reported that there are 4,133 animal shelters. In 2025, there were 13,554 animal sheltering organizations operating across the United States.
82% of the Animal Shelters in the US Are Currently No-kill Shelters (Best Friends Animal Society)
Nearly two out of every three U.S. shelters are now no-kill, and that number continues to rise. In 2024 alone, almost 4 million cats and dogs were saved in shelters, an incredible and inspiring achievement.
This is a significant increase from 2016, when only 24% of shelters had no-kill status. The increasing number of no-kill shelters proves that it’s possible and sustainable to save every healthy and treatable pet.
Delaware Became the First No-kill US State in 2019 (USA Today)
Fortunately, at least one state takes the problem of pet overpopulation seriously by taking positive action to care for animals.
Currently, Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont have achieved no-kill status, meaning every shelter in these states saves at least 90% of animals.
Animal Intake & Outcomes
In the first half of 2025, 2.8 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, down 4% from 2024 (SAC)
In the first half of 2025, the compassionate efforts of animal shelters and rescue organizations were evident as they provided refuge for over 2,807,000 animals from community sources, with approximately 1.40 million cats (49.8%) and 1.41 million dogs (50.2%) seeking care and support.
Approximately 1.9 Million Cats and Dogs were Adopted Nationwide (SAC)
In the 2025 mid-year, 1,927,000 animals were adopted from U.S. shelters and rescues.
By mid-2025, U.S. shelters had adopted out about 991,000 dogs and 936,000 cats. Compared to 2024, total adoptions in the first half of 2025 declined by roughly 14,000 animals, with dog adoptions seeing a slightly larger drop than cat adoptions.
Microchipping Increases the Animal Return Rate (Safford Veterinary Services)
The good news is that each year sees more people registering and implanting their animals with a microchip. Studies show that 52.2% of microchipped dogs are successfully returned to their owners. The impact is significant for cats as well, with 38.5% of microchipped cats finding their way back home.
The national average cost to microchip your dog is $48, with a range between $38 to $87 depending on a number of factors. This little investment can save you a lot of heartache.
Euthanasia Statistics
In 2024, 607,000 Animals Were Euthanized. (SAC)
In the first half of 2025, 290,000 animals (dogs and cats) were euthanized. Approximately 607,000 animals were euthanized in 2024, a decrease from around 690,000 in 2023.
Non-live outcomes for both cats and dogs are decreasing. 625,000 pets were euthanized in 2019. There are simply too many homeless animals in America. Our response to the issue has been to get rid of them.
Almost 164,000 Dogs Were Euthanized in Shelters in the first half of 2025 (SAC)
This sobering statistic proves just how big the problem of overpopulation of animals is. How do we stop this travesty? Adopt, adopt, adopt!
Information on how to adopt an animal is plentiful, and today, shelters are overflowing with available animals.
126,000 Cats Were Euthanized in Shelters in the first half of 2025. (SAC)
For cats, all shelter types have experienced declines in non-live outcomes. Rescue organizations also reported a decrease in non-live outcomes for cats.
In 1984, 17 Million Shelter Animals Were Killed in America (Best Friends)
These statistics prove we’re moving in the right direction. This tells us how much progress is possible. The solution is solely up to us.
Five US States collectively killed approximately 406,000 animals in the US (Best Friends)
The top five states (California, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia) have a combined total of 406,000 dogs and cats killed in a recent year.
Latest Stats Reveal Using a Gas Chamber as a Method of Euthanasia Is Banned by 29 States (Humane World for Animals)
For years, Humane World, formerly known as HSUS, has helped shelters voluntarily move away from gas chambers to more humane euthanasia by injection. This work includes providing grants, training, and support for laws that ban gas chambers altogether.
Today, 24 states have full bans, five states have partial bans, and only one state still uses gas chambers.
3 out of 4 Americans Are Against Euthanizing Animals (No Kill Advocacy Center)
A greater number of Americans are against shelters killing animals, which tells us we need to put action behind our words.
The national shelter save rate is around 82% (Best Friends)
Since 2016, the national savings rate has risen by 11 percentage points, helping save nearly 5 million more pets. Early 2025 data shows the save rate at about 82%, up from 71% in 2016, when Best Friends launched its goal to achieve no-kill shelters across the U.S. No-kill shelters are allowed to kill 10% of their animals due to health issues.
Economic Impact
Government-Supported Animal Shelters Cost US Citizens up to $2 Billion Yearly (One Green Planet, PetMD)
If this money were funneled into spay and neuter programs, including TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return of feral cats), and also adoption/pet education with more Federal funding, we could save many more millions of animals.
Pet Overpopulation & Abandonment
From 2019 to 2023, the share of dogs entering shelters already sterilized dropped by 10.9 percentage points. (SAC)
This statistic shows the intense ignorance and irresponsibility, the greater population! Even with this drop, fewer dogs entering shelters overall helped keep the number of unaltered dogs fairly steady.
31% of Animals Are Left in Shelters by Their Owners (SAC)
This is a significant number, and it can be due to various reasons such as financial problems, lack of time to care for the animal, moving to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or a change in lifestyle.
Behavioral issues of Pet Is the Primary Reason for Pet Abandonment (NCBI)
The most common reason for giving up pets was behavior problems (28%), especially aggression, trouble with other animals, and house soiling. As a result, pets are given up and end up at shelters.
18% of Dog and Cat Owners Leave Their Pets When They Move to a New Place (NCBI)
People who shift their homes for work or any other reason are forced to give up their pets most of the time.
Many Pets Entering Shelters Have Been Owned for Less than a Year (Petfinder)
Most dogs need three days to get acclimated to being in a new place. Most pet owners don’t give their pets time to adjust.
Pets as Gifts Are Most Likely to Be Abandoned (PawShake)
It is estimated that around 80% of rabbits purchased as Easter gifts end up being abandoned, surrendered to animal shelters, or rehomed to other families.
This makes perfect sense. It’s never a good idea to give someone a pet. Even if you know someone who wants a German Shepherd, she may not like the one you choose for her. A better idea is to take the person to a shelter to meet animals face-to-face.
Pet Ownership Trends
70% of US Households Have Pets (APPA)
This statistic leads people to believe there’s not much of a problem with abandonment, but that would be a false belief, as seen by the statistics of those who are surrendered.
Overall, pet ownership has increased for both dogs and cats, with 51% of U.S. households (68 million) owning a dog.
37% of U.S. households (49 million) own a cat. (APPA)
Overall, pet ownership has increased for both dogs and cats.Some of this increase is due to the rise in adoptions during the pandemic.
During COVID-19, Dog Adoptions Rose to 10-13 a Day (The Washington Post)
In June 2020, the SPCA Los Angeles, a nonprofit shelter, reported double the usual adoptions at 10-13 per day, said President Madeline Bernstein.
What Can We Do to Help?
You can make a difference, even if only for one animal, by donating money, time, or in-kind donations (blankets, dog and cat toys, food) to any of the organizations listed in this article.
If you’d like to go big, sponsor a radio ad to support spaying and neutering or your local no-kill shelter. Here are additional ways to help shelter animals.
- Never Purchase an Animal from a Breeder
- Volunteer or educate yourself on Community Cat Programs/TNR (Trap-neuter-return)
- End Breed Discrimination
- Stop Puppy Mills
- Check sources for Spay/Neuter Programs and Awareness
FAQs
How Many No-Kill Shelters Are in the US?
There are 2,133 no-kill shelters in the U.S.
How Many Dogs Are in Shelters?
In 2024, 2.8 million dogs entered shelters and rescues.
How Many Animals Are Euthanized in Shelters Each Year?
According to national estimates, around 607,000 animals are euthanized in local shelters.
In Conclusion
Animal shelter statistics reveal significant trends in animal welfare organizations and pet ownership. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Pet Products Association highlight the issue of homeless pets and animal abandonment, with many mixed-breed dogs entering shelters in 2025.
Despite a rise in no-kill shelters, many animals are euthanized annually, reflecting ongoing challenges. Sheltered animal statistics show a critical need for dog owners to adopt from shelter populations to reduce animal homelessness and the number of dogs killed. These pet statistics underscore the importance of a comprehensive pet population study to improve outcomes for homeless pets.
We’ll never know exactly how many animals are dying at the hands of human beings. But we can be a part of the solution to help these wonderful creatures stay alive and find forever homes.
If you’re a lover of animals, there’s so much you can do to help those in shelters. Give, give, give to help homeless animals in your area. They’ve been forced into a situation they don’t want to be in.
Let’s help them ease the burden by giving them our hearts.
