Every year, over 5.8 million dogs and cats, and other household pets, are surrendered to animal shelters. Sadly, just over 4 million find a home every year, leaving an ever-increasing number of animals in the shelter population.
I have been involved in animal fostering since I was a child. My bedroom was frequently used as a sanctuary for pregnant cats who could not go into the cattery we had built in the garden.
I have seen firsthand the level of work and sheer depth of requirements needed to run a charity.
Animal shelters often run on a bare-bones system with just enough to scrape by. The following collection of pet adoption statistics attempts to paint an accurate picture of the state of the pet adoption system as it currently stands.
Key Facts at a Glance
- 5.8 Million Animals Entered US Animal Shelters in 2024
- 4.1 Million Cats and Dogs Are Adopted Annually
- 2,856,000 Dogs Entered Shelters from Community Sources in 2024
- 25% of the Dogs in the Shelters are Purebreds
- 63% of the US Shelters Are Currently No-kill
- 607,000 Shelter Animals were Euthanized in 2024
General Pet Shelter and Adoption Statistics
In 2024, 5.8 Million Dogs and Cats Entered US Animal Shelters (Shelter Animals Count, SAC)
Animal shelters and rescue groups sheltered over 5,766,000 animals, including roughly 2.9 million cats and 2.9 million dogs in need of care and assistance.
In 2024, shelters took in 1.4% fewer dogs and cats than in 2023, that’s about 83,000 fewer animals. The drop was bigger for dogs than for cats.
Overall, intakes have gone down by 11% (about 735,000 animals) since 2019.
Approximately 4.1 Million Cats and Dogs Were Adopted in 2024 (SAC)
According to collected records from the SAC, in 2024, a total of 4,192,443 dogs and cats were adopted (about 2 million dogs and 2 million cats).
The Number of Cats Adopted from Animal Shelters increased from 2023 (SAC)
There was a small 0.4% increase from 2023, with 17,153 more adoptions. However, adoptions are still 5.6% lower than in 2019, meaning over 250,000 fewer pets have found homes since then.
Approximately 5,211,000 Dogs and Cats had a Community Live Outcome in 2024 (SAC)
Live community outcomes dropped by 0.4% in 2024 compared to 2023, which is about 20,000 fewer animals. Dogs made up 2.6 million of these live community outcomes.
Around 607,000 Shelter Animals were Euthanized in 2024. (Animal Shelter Count)
About 607,000 animals were euthanized in 2024, a decrease from around 690,000 in 2023.
This high number is due to system overload, with more pets being surrendered than rehomed. Rescue groups are working beyond capacity, and the result is that hard decisions need to be made.
Dog Adoption & Ownership
2,856,000 Dogs Entered Shelters from Community Sources in 2024 (SAC)
This means these homeless dogs came from the general public, such as strays picked up by animal control, dog owners surrendering, or dogs found and brought in by community members.
Latest Stats From APPA Revealed 51% of American Households Own a Dog as a Pet (APPA)
According to APPA, pet ownership has grown, with 51% of U.S. households, about 68 million homes, now owning at least one dog.
In the US, 89.7 Million Dogs Are Owned as Pets (AVMA)
Many households own more than one dog, which is why the total number of pet dogs (89.7 million) is higher than the number of households that own them, as per the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Almost 334,000 Dogs Euthanized in Shelters in 2024 (SAC)
In 2023, the number of dogs euthanized was the highest in the last five years.
Only 25% of the Dogs in the Shelters Are Purebred (Humane Society)
With 25% of purebred dogs in shelters, which often sell for high prices in retail outlets, they are also being euthanized.
The Rate of Puppy Adoption Is Higher than that of Adult Dogs (ASPCA)
Puppies have a 60% adoption rate, while older dog breeds have a rate as low as 25%. People prefer younger dogs and often overlook adult dogs due to possible health conditions and ingrained behaviors. However, even older dogs deserve a loving home.
Pit bulls Are One of the Six Most Common Dog Breeds in Animal Shelters (Pet Insurance Review, Pedigree)
According to Pet Insurance Review and Pedigree, the six most common dog breeds in pet shelters are:
- Pit bulls
- Labrador retrievers
- German shepherds
- Dachshunds
- Chihuahuas
- Boxers
9% of Dogs Are Purchased from Pet Stores (Humane Pro)
According to the Humane Pro, about 18% of dogs are adopted from friends or relatives, while 4% are received as gifts. More dogs are adopted from shelters than purchased from breeders, showing a growing preference for adoption over buying.
The Cost Associated with feeding a Dog Is About $300 annually (ASPCA)
Of course, this figure varies based on several factors, including dog size and breed, and also the brand of dog food you buy.
The Average Annual Cost of Owning a Dog Can Be as High as $1,000 (ASPCA)
Owning a dog is not cheap. Depending on the breed, you can expect to pay more than $1,000 a year.
According to ASPCA Pet Insurance, the typical costs related to dog ownership include food, treats, medical expenses, toys, and licenses. There are also the ad-hoc costs you pick up along the way.
Cat Adoption & Ownership
2,910,000 Cats Entered Shelters from Community Sources in 2024 (SAC)
Sadly, this is significantly more than the cats that get adopted.
49 Million Households in the US Own a Cat (APPA)
That is approximately 50% of all homes in the United States. Cats are the second most common house pet in the US after dogs.
5% of Households Foster a Cat (APPA)
There are many reasons for an individual to foster a cat. If you are considering adopting one, fostering a cat can give you a picture of what to expect. Also, you could potentially save a cat’s life.
The Number of Pet Cats in the US Is Somewhere Around 88.2 Million (APPA)
According to the APPA, cat ownership is on the rise, with a 23% increase in 2024. More households now have multiple cats, and owners are spending more quality time with them, redefining what it means to be a true “cat person.”
Approximately, There Are 30 to 80 Million Stray, Feral, Uncared Cats in the US (USDA)
Feral and uncared-for cats are a big problem around the world. There is even an NFT game, CatRescue, that donates 50% of its proceeds to help fight the rising surge of feral cats.
On Average, People Adopt Stray Cats More Often than They Adopt Stray Dogs (ASPCA)
A rehoming survey conducted by the ASPCA confirmed that more cats (27%) are adopted as strays than dogs (6%).
Mostly Kittens Are Adopted from Shelters (ASPCA)
There is a heavy slant in favor of kittens regarding the likelihood of cats being adopted.
The study reported that over 81% of kittens in animal shelters are adopted, compared to just 54% of senior cats.
Black Cats Are Least Adopted as Compared to Other Cats (Saint Scroll)
Sadly, ‘black cat bias‘ has long been a stigma surrounding black cats, from tales of superstition and bad luck to witchcraft. These folktales have made people wary of offering black cats a home.
According to a 2022 Survey, almost $801 Is Spent Annually by Cat Owners on Vet Care (Humane Society)
This is almost three times as much as the average from 2018.
Shelter Outcomes & Surrenders
Below are five interesting animal shelter statistics.
57% of dogs and 64% of cats entering organizations were adopted in 2024 (SAC)
Dog adoption rates rose slightly from 56% in 2023 to 57% in 2024. Cat adoption rates stayed strong at 64% in 2024, up from 62% in 2023 and significantly higher than 57% in 2019.
59% of the Dogs and 62% of the Cats Are Taken in as Strays (SAC)
The large number of stray animals, both dogs and cats, entering shelters indicates that many are lost, abandoned, or born into feral populations.
24% of the Dogs and 25% of the Cats Were Relinquished. (SAC)
Owner-related issues were the most common reasons for giving up both cats and dogs. Among animal-related factors, behavioral problems were the most frequently reported reason for relinquishment.
Owner’s Death Surrendered Almost 10.1% of the Animals (Best Friends)
Roughly 10% of animals are surrendered in the wake of a death, as no family members are willing to take on the obligation of pet ownership, especially if they already have pets themselves.
Almost 14% of the Dogs were Surrendered Due to Housing Issues. The Percentage of Cats Surrendered per Household Is Higher (Best Friends)
This could be because rental properties do not allow pets or because there are too many animals living on the property.
Almost 7.8% of Animals Are Surrendered Due to Non-Aggressive Behavior (Best Friends)
According to the report, non-aggressive behavior and general personality mismatches account for almost 8% of animals being surrendered to shelters.
Owners’ Financial Reasons Are Behind 7.2% of Animal Shelter Surrenders (Best Friends)
As the economy continues to rebound following COVID-19, people find themselves needing to make tough budgeting choices.
Approximately 20% of Pets Are Returned to the Original Shelter after Six Months of Their Initial Adoption (NLM)
There are numerous reasons for this, but most revolve around people being unprepared for the responsibilities that come from good pet ownership. 12% of dog owners admitted to returning their pets, and 90% of those cited aggressive behavior as the leading reason.
In 2024, 86,000 Cats and 468,000 Dogs that entered shelters Were Returned to Owners (SAC)
In 2024, about 468,000 dogs and 86,000 cats were returned to their owners. This is slightly lower than 2023, when around 488,000 dogs and 87,000 cats (a total of about 575,000 animals) were reunited with their owners.
More than 50% of All Dogs and Cats Are Killed in 5 US States (Best Friends)
California, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia are the five states accounting for half of all cats and dogs killed.
Animal Euthanasia & Abuse
607,000 Animals Euthanized in 2024, including 334,000 Dogs + 273,000 Cats (SAC)
Non-live outcomes dropped by 2% (12,300 fewer animals) compared to 2023 and remain 20% lower than in 2019 (255,000 fewer animals). In 2024, non-live outcomes slightly increased by 0.5% for dogs but fell by 15% for cats.
Roughly 2.7 Million Cats and Dogs Are Killed Annually Because Shelters Are Full (ASPCA)
The main reason for animals in many shelters being euthanized is shelter overcrowding and overpopulation. Shelters don’t have the means to sustain a huge number of animals and put them to sleep as a last resort.
81% of the People Prefer to Keep Community Cats Outside Rather than Risk Them Being Euthanized (Humane Pro)
About 81% of people would rather leave wild cats alone to live their lives unowned rather than risk them being euthanized when surrendered to a shelter.
Black Cats Face the Highest Euthanasia Rates in Shelters Are Black (NCBI)
This is because of the social stigma that has been created surrounding black animals. Superstition and folklore are two primary drivers behind the black cat shunning.
Over 10 Million Animals Die from Abuse in the US (Letters2President)
It is estimated that sixty percent of these animals are dogs, 18% are cats, and 22% are other animals.
Stat Shows 71% of Individuals Who Are Involved in Domestic Violence Also Abuse Their Pets (Sheriffs.org)
71% of pet-owning domestic violence victims seeking shelter admitted that their spouse also abused and/or killed their pets.
Animal Shelter & Pet Industry Stats
The Number of Animal Shelters in the US Is 4,110, and 9,417 Animal Sanctuaries and Rescue Groups Are Working in North America (Best Friends, Do Something)
According to Best Friends stats, today, nearly two-thirds of U.S. shelters are no-kill, and hundreds more are close to achieving that goal.
The Number of Puppy Mills in the US Is Almost 10,000 (Humane Society)
Out of 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, fewer than 3,000 are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
63% of the Animal Shelters in the US Are Currently No-kill Shelters (Best Friends)
The percentage of no-kill shelters in the US has more than doubled over the past seven years, rising from 24% in 2016 to 63% in 2024.
About 43% of US counties are no-kill animal shelters. (Best Friends)
In 2021, 93% of no-kill shelters successfully maintained their commitment to not euthanizing pets.
94 Million Households in the US Own a Pet (APPA)
A 2022 survey from the APPA (American Pet Products Association) revealed that 94 million U.S. households (71%) now own at least one pet, up from 82 million in 2023.
8% of Households Foster a Pet (Humane Society, APPA)
The difference between fostering animals and adopting them is that, as a foster home, you look after the animals until a permanent adopted home is found.
11% of Pet Owners Also Foster Pets (Humane Society, APPA)
This shows the mindset of many pet parents, who understand the animal shelter crisis as it currently stands and want to do their part to help save our companion animals.
80% of Pet Owners Consider Their Pets to Be Part of the Family (AVMA)
Pets play a pivotal role in our lives and in family life. A survey reports that approximately 80% of pet parents view their pets as part of the family.
57% of women pet owners consider their furry friends as much a part of their family as a human member, compared to 43% of male pet owners.
Freshwater Fish Is the Third Most Common Pet in the US (APPA)
According to an article, freshwater fish are the third most popular household pet in the United States.
Approximately 11% of US homes have an aquarium, with many citing the additional aesthetic benefit of a tank as a common reason behind their purchase and upkeep.
As per the Latest Report of 2023, the North America Pet Insurance Company crossed $3.5 billion (NAPHIA)
More homes now understand the benefits of having additional pet insurance, as revenue exceeded $3.5 billion in 2023.
People Spent $147 Billion on Their Pets in 2023 (APPA)
The US spent a combined total of 147 billion on pets in 2023 and is projected to spend 150.6 billion dollars in 2024. Almost 50% of this was spent on food and treats.
FAQs
1. How many animals are abandoned each year?
Each year, 6.5 million dogs, cats, and other pets are abandoned or lost and end up in shelters. Out of these, only 3.2 million are adopted, and many return to shelters within a year of being rehomed. More young people are choosing to adopt pets. Between 3.5 to 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted every year.
2. How many kill shelters are in the US?
According to SAC-reported data, there were 4,915 shelters and 9,514 rescues operating in the U.S. in 2023.
3. How many animals are euthanized each year?
It’s heartbreaking to see how many pets are killed each year. According to the ASPCA, approximately 920,000 animals are euthanized annually, including 390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats. The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually is facing the biggest decline.
4. How many dogs are in shelters?
The number of dogs entering shelters annually has decreased since 2011, from an average of 3.9 million in 2011 to 3.1 million dogs in 2019. The total number decreased from 7.9 million to approximately 6.3 million cats and dogs each year.
Wrap Up
If all of these pet adoption statistics show anything, it is that there is something of a pet crisis going on right now.
Any downward trends reported over the last two years paint a possibly skewed viewpoint, given the far-reaching impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. In either case, there are more animals being surrendered than homeless pets given new loving homes.
Even with the rise in no-kill shelters, something needs to change in order to stabilize the ship.
Do you have an adopted pet? How has that experience worked for you? Personally, I have an adopted dog and couldn’t be happier with her. Let us know in the comments. We love hearing from you all.
