Animal Shelter Statistics

Insightful data on US animal shelters.

Shelter Count in the US

Over 3,500 animal shelters operate in the US as of 2022.

Pets Entering Shelters

Roughly 6.3 million pets find their way into US shelters every year.

Adoption Numbers

Around 4.1 million animals from shelters find forever homes annually.

Stray Animal Returns

Yearly, 810,000 stray animals in shelters are returned to their families.

Covid-19 & Dog Adoptions

During the pandemic, dog adoptions soared to 10-13 a day.

Neutering in Shelters

Only around 10% of animals entering shelters have been neutered.

Kill vs. No-Kill Shelters

Approximately 52% of US shelters are kill shelters.

Delaware: A Beacon of Hope

Delaware became the first no-kill US state in 2019.

Euthanasia in Shelters

Five US states lead in shelter animal euthanasia deaths.

Pets Left Behind

30% of animals are surrendered to shelters by their own families.

The Need for Change

The statistics highlight the importance of pet responsibility and adoption.

Adopt, Don't Shop

Encouraging adoption can make a huge difference in these numbers.