{"id":746,"date":"2020-12-07T20:33:55","date_gmt":"2020-12-07T20:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=746"},"modified":"2024-02-18T18:18:05","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T18:18:05","slug":"animal-shelter-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/animal-shelter-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"44 Shocking Animal Shelter Statistics (2024 UPDATE)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, most of the US animal shelter statistics for 2022 paint a sad story.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s been a decline in the number of animals entering shelters over the past decade. However, sadly, many pets are still euthanized each year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In any case, the action is needed, and hopefully, these facts and stats will encourage you to take it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='top-10-animal-shelter-statistics'><b>Top 10 Animal Shelter Statistics<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <a href=\"#3,500 animal shelters\">3,500 animal shelters<\/a> in the US.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Altogether, there are around <a href=\"#14,000 shelters and rescue groups\">14,000 shelters and rescue groups<\/a> in the US.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No-kill shelters attempt to <a href=\"#save 9 out of 10 animals\">save 9 out of 10 animals<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than <a href=\"#6 million animals enter animal shelters\">6 million animals enter animal shelters<\/a> across the US every year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#710,000 strays are returned\">710,000 strays are returned<\/a> to their owners each year.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dog adoptions soared to <a href=\"#10\u201313 a day during\">10\u201313 a day during<\/a> the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#625,000 pets were euthanized\">625,000 pets were euthanized<\/a> in 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#PETA euthanized 1,614 animals\">PETA euthanized 1,614 animals<\/a> in 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About <a href=\"#30% of animals in shelters\">30% of animals in shelters<\/a> are left there by their owners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal shelters cost US citizens almost <a href=\"#$2 billion every year\">$2 billion every year<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having all the data will raise some awareness among animal lovers\u2014and other people too. So, keep reading to learn more about the state of abandoned pets from 2021 and into the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-many-animal-shelters-are-in-the-us-today'><b>How Many Animal Shelters Are in the US Today?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonprofit rescue organizations and animal shelters care for abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. There are two types of animal shelters: municipal (kill) and no-kill shelters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, are there enough shelters in the US to take care of every poor abandoned soul?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='1-there-are-3500-animal-shelters-in-the-us'><b>1. There are 3,500 animal shelters in the US.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(HSUS)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many kill shelters are in the US? Too many!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Municipal shelters are also known as kill shelters. They are brick-and-mortar institutions that take in strays and abandoned pets. When a shelter is full, or its animals are old and sick, it&#8217;s policy to euthanize the animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='2-%c2%a0-altogether-there-are-around-14000-shelters-and-rescue-groups-in-the-us'><b>2.\u00a0 Altogether, there are around 14,000 shelters and rescue groups in the US.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(HSUS, NPR)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No-kill shelters and non-profit rescue organizations also operate in the US, in addition to kill shelters. They rely on donations and staff to keep going, unlike the government-funded municipal shelters.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='no-kill-animal-shelter-statistics'><b>No-Kill Animal Shelter Statistics<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No-kill shelters try to save every animal, heal them, and treat any behavioral issues they may have. These shelters focus on safety and high-quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='3-no-kill-shelters-attempt-to-save-9-out-of-10-animals'><b>3. No-kill shelters attempt to save 9 out of 10 animals.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(NPR)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In no-kill shelters, 90% of the animals brought in are adopted or rehomed. But, this doesn\u2019t mean that these institutions do not apply euthanasia. There is still a 10% margin in which elderly and sick pets can be put down.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='4-no-kill-shelters-can-become-overcrowded'><b>4. No-kill shelters can become overcrowded.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PETA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result of the 90% benchmark, many no-kill shelters turn away unwanted pets, as cats and dog shelter statistics show.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='5-there-are-over-4000-no-kill-communities-in-america'><b>5. There are over 4,000 no-kill communities in America.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Today)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even a no-kill community sometimes euthanizes animals. However, they can maintain their &#8220;no-kill&#8221; status as long as they achieve a save rate of at least 90%.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='6-in-1994-san-francisco-became-the-first-no-kill-city'><b>6. In 1994, San Francisco became the first no-kill city.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Best Friends Animal Society)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rich Avanzino was considered the father of the no-kill movement. Animal shelters facts point out that he established an adoption pact with the San Francisco Animal Care &amp; Control. This made San Francisco the first no-kill city in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='7-delaware-became-the-first-no-kill-state-in-2019'><b>7. Delaware became the first no-kill state in 2019.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(CBSN)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delaware has a save rate of 92.9%. This means that around 12,000 of the 13,000 pets in shelters were returned to their owners or adopted. So far, Delaware is the first and only no-kill state in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='8-on-average-the-us-saves-76-6-of-shelter-animals'><b>8. On average, the US saves 76.6% of shelter animals.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(CBSN)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Texas and California have the lowest save rates. According to the animal euthanasia statistics, in both these states, less than 75% of shelter animals are rehomed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='9-the-goal-of-animal-activists-is-to-make-the-us-a-no-kill-zone-by-2025'><b>9. The goal of animal activists is to make the US a no-kill zone by 2025.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Today)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though it might seem a bit challenging, animal lovers believe that it can be done. So far, the number of euthanized animals keeps going down, and the number of rehomed pets increases.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-many-dogs-are-in-shelters'><b>How Many Dogs are in Shelters?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though the number of dogs in shelters has declined, there are still too many abandoned pups. Let\u2019s see the precise numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='10-more-than-6-million-pets-enter-animal-shelters-across-the-us-every-year'><b>10. More than 6 million pets enter animal shelters across the US every year.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PETA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal shelter statistics from 2020 show that there are about 70 million stray animals on the US streets at any given time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only 10% of them (a bit more than 6 million) enter the shelters. The rest lives on the street \u2014 freezing during the winter and suffering from heat exhaustion during the summer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='11-the-number-of-pets-in-shelters-is-declining'><b>11. The number of pets in shelters is declining.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ASPCA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2011 was one of the worst years for pets in shelters. There were 7.2 million pets taken in by animal shelters in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to adoption and rehoming, that number has declined by over a million by 2019, as shelter animal statistics reveal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='12-only-10-of-the-animals-going-into-shelters-are-neutered'><b>12. Only 10% of the animals going into shelters are neutered.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(DoSomething, One Green Planet)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/spay-and-neuter-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">low number of spayed or neutered animals<\/a> could lead to &#8220;overpopulation,&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and thus, an even greater number of euthanized animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shelter dog statistics estimate that an unspayed dog and her puppies can produce 67,000 dogs in just six years if left unchecked. One female cat that hasn&#8217;t been spayed, along with her offspring, can create 420,000 cats in seven years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='13-a-quarter-of-the-dogs-abandoned-in-shelters-are-purebred-humane-society-statistics-reveal'><b>13. A quarter of the dogs abandoned in shelters are purebred, Humane Society statistics reveal.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(DoSomething, One Green Planet, Humane Society)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost 25% of the dogs that enter local animal shelters have a documented pedigree. Most of the purebred dogs in shelters are pit bulls. Sadly, they&#8217;re among the least wanted dogs in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='homeless-animal-statistics-how-many-pets-leave-animal-shelters'><b>Homeless Animal Statistics: How Many Pets Leave Animal Shelters?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The stigma surrounding shelter animals has been lifted over the years, and people tend to adopt instead of shop for a pet. But, sadly, not all homeless animals get adopted.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='14-710000-strays-are-returned-to-their-owners-each-year'><b>14. 710,000 strays are returned to their owners each year.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ASPCA, DoSomething)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Out of all the strays that enter US animal shelters, 620,000 dogs are returned to their owners. And 90,000 cats are reunited with their owners, as the stray animal statistics show.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='15-microchipping-increases-return-rates'><b>15. Microchipping increases return rates.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ScienceDaily)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats that are microchipped are 20 times more likely to be returned to their owners. Dogs with a microchip are 2.5 times more likely to reunite with their owners than other strays in the shelter.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='16-approximately-1-6-million-dogs-are-adopted-from-shelters-every-year'><b>16. Approximately 1.6 million dogs are adopted from shelters every year.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ASPCA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another 1.6 million cats are adopted from animal shelters each year, making the total number of adopted pets reach 3.2 million.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what percentage of pets are adopted? The history shows that of the 6.5 million cats and dogs brought into shelters, just under 50% get adopted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that the adoption rates are increasing. However, there&#8217;s still much to be done to reduce the number of animals in shelters.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='17-dog-adoptions-soared-to-10%e2%80%9313-a-day-during-the-covid-19-pandemic'><b>17. Dog adoptions soared to 10\u201313 a day during the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(The Washington Post)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/pet-adoption-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pet adoption statistics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles recorded new records. The nonprofit shelter recorded double numbers of adoption compared to the previous year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Animal Care Centers of NYC also reports good news. 25% of people who have taken in foster dogs during the pandemic have adopted them, shaping the history of animal shelters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">more than a third of the <a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/dog-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">78 million dogs owned in the US were bought from a breeder<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='18-the-number-of-adopted-shelter-cats-is-practically-standing-still-as-animal-shelter-trends-show'><b>18. The number of adopted shelter cats is practically standing still, as animal shelter trends show.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(SAC)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shelters took in over 900,000 cats during 2020. The great majority of them were stray cats. However, their number is gradually decreasing, according to the Shelter Animals Count (SAC) data.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The number of adopted cats was on the rise up until the Covid-19 pandemic struck.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='19-under-1-of-the-animals-in-shelters-are-irremediably-suffering'><b>19. Under 1% of the animals in shelters are irremediably suffering.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(No Kill Advocacy Center)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irremediable suffering refers to animals who have low chances of living without severe pain or urgent medical attention. This means that 99% of pets in shelters are healthy and adoptable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='20-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic-pet-adoptions-have-decreased-by-36-during-2020'><b>20. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, pet adoptions have decreased by 36% during 2020.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Business Wire)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though dog adoptions are on the rise, the pandemic has affected the overall pet adoptions. The adoptions have slowed down, causing a significant drop in the adoption rates.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='what-percentage-of-animals-are-killed-in-shelters'><b>What Percentage of Animals are Killed in Shelters?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, many abandoned animals don&#8217;t live to see old age. Many of them are killed due to the lack of shelter space, animals&#8217; poor health, or to protect other animals&#8217; safety and health.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='21-625000-pets-were-euthanized-in-2019'><b>21. 625,000 pets were euthanized in 2019.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Best Friends Animal Society)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s a fact that this number is incredibly high. It&#8217;s actually the second consecutive year recorded that the total number of dogs and cats killed in US animal shelters dropped to under one million, according to animal euthanasia facts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='22-17-million-shelter-animals-were-killed-in-america-in-1984'><b>22. 17 million shelter animals were killed in America in 1984.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Best Friends Animal Society)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This shockingly large number prompted animal activists to take charge and initiate the no-kill movement across the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='23-animal-shelter-facts-and-statistics-reveal-that-peta-euthanized-1614-animals-in-2019'><b>23. Animal shelter facts and statistics reveal that PETA euthanized 1,614 animals in 2019.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PETA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even PETA euthanizes animals. They claim they do so to relieve the animals of suffering, illness, and pain. Even though they help many animals, they still kill a substantial number of them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='24-more-cats-are-killed-than-dogs'><b>24. More cats are killed than dogs.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(American Humane, Best Friends Animal Society)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 625,000 cats and dogs entered US shelters in 2019. More dogs enter shelters, but more cats are killed. Approximately 70% of all killed animals were cats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The majority of cats that enter shelters don\u2019t have owner identification and thus are less likely to be returned to their owners.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='25-euthanasia-means-%e2%80%9cgood-death-%e2%80%9d'><b>25. Euthanasia means \u201cgood death.\u201d<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PETA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do animal shelters euthanize animals? Proper euthanasia is done through intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital, which is quick and painless.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='26-some-shelters-use-inhumane-methods-to-euthanize-animals'><b>26. Some shelters use inhumane methods to euthanize animals.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PETA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The sad truth is that many animal shelters still use decompression or gas chambers. This method euthanizes animals in an inhumane manner and allows other animals to watch them suffer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some municipal officers euthanize pets with gunshots to the head, which is even more upsetting. This isn&#8217;t always immediately effective and causes even more pain and suffering to the pet, as the animal shelter euthanasia facts indicate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='27-animal-activists-are-trying-to-put-an-end-to-inhumane-euthanasia'><b>27. Animal activists are trying to put an end to inhumane euthanasia.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(HSUS)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since 2013, around 70 shelters in 13 US states have chosen to shut down their gas chambers. There are currently 27 states that entirely ban these chambers on pets, while four still use gas to euthanize shelter animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The end goal is to pass a ban on gas chambers in all 50 states.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='28-the-main-reason-for-euthanasia-is-overpopulation'><b>28. The main reason for euthanasia is overpopulation.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Petful)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do animal shelters kill animals? The answer is overcrowding, meaning that there are too many animals for shelters to take in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other reasons for euthanasia include elderly or sick animals. When an animal becomes ill, animal shelters euthanize the animal to stop the disease from spreading. Often when an animal is ill and in pain, the humane choice is to end its suffering.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='29-5-states-account-for-50-of-shelter-animals-being-killed-in-america'><b>29. 5 states account for 50% of shelter animals being killed in America.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Today, Best Friends Animal Society)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And, according to the cat and dog euthanasia rates by state, almost all are in the South.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[visualizer id=&#8221;5686&#8243;]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Texas tops the list with around 125,000 animals killed in shelters. California is second with 110,000, followed by Florida with 66,000, and North Carolina with 62,000 euthanized animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Georgia animal shelter statistics, the state follows with 43,000 killed shelter animals round out the five states.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='30-three-out-of-four-americans-are-against-euthanizing-animals'><b>30. Three out of four Americans are against euthanizing animals.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(No Kill Advocacy Center)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 75% of Americans believe that it shouldn\u2019t be legal to kill an animal if it\u2019s healthy or can be treated by a vet. According to animal shelter facts and surveys, as many as 96% of US citizens believe humans are morally obliged to protect animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='abandoned-pets-facts-why-do-people-leave-their-pets-in-animal-shelters'><b>Abandoned Pets Facts: Why Do People Leave Their Pets in Animal Shelters?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes life happens. People get sick, get into debt, or move to the other side of the world and can\u2019t take care of their pets. Of course, sometimes people abandon their pets for selfish reasons. Here are some of the most common ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='31-about-30-of-the-animals-in-shelters-are-left-there-by-their-owners'><b>31. About 30% of the animals in shelters are left there by their owners.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Animal Foundation Platform)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just for comparison, 42.5% of the animals in US shelters are impounded by animal control. Even though animal control takes in more strays, the percentage of abandoned pets is still pretty high.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='32-problems-with-the-pet-are-the-primary-reason-people-abandon-their-animals'><b>32. Problems with the pet are the primary reason people abandon their animals.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(ASPCA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how many animals are abandoned each year?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking at the stats, almost 47% of rehomed dogs and 42% of rehomed cats are abandoned by owners due to pet problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pet problems include aggressive behavior, animals growing larger than expected, and health issues the owners couldn\u2019t deal with.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='33-moving-to-a-new-place-is-why-8-of-owners-leave-their-pets'><b>33. Moving to a new place is why 8% of owners leave their pets.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Petfinder)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other causes for people abandoning their pets include living in a no-pet zone, incompatibility with other pets, and expenses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About a<a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/allergy-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> third of the US is allergic to cats and dogs<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some 4% of cat and dog owners said they abandoned their animal companion due to personal problems, as animal shelter stats indicate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surprisingly, 11% of cat owners said they left their pet because they had too many household animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='34-most-of-the-pets-in-shelters-had-been-owned-for-less-than-one-year'><b>34. Most of the pets in shelters had been owned for less than one year.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Petfinder)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 37.1% of dogs and 30% of cats were kept up to a year in shelters before being relinquished by their owners.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='35-pets-from-friends-are-the-most-likely-to-be-abandoned'><b>35. Pets from friends are the most likely to be abandoned.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Petfinder)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal shelters statistics reveal that 32% of dogs and 33.2% of cats left in shelters were present from a friend. Gifted pets account for the most significant number of relinquished companion animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='36-only-20-of-people-return-an-animal-to-a-shelter'><b>36. Only 20% of people return an animal to a shelter.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Animal Foundation Platform)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around a fifth of the people who adopted a pet from an animal shelter end up taking it back.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='animal-shelter-funding-statistics'><b>Animal Shelter Funding Statistics<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking care of millions of abandoned animals requires ample funds. They\u2019re typically collected by donations and funded by the government.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='37-animal-shelters-cost-us-citizens-up-to-2-billion-every-year'><b>37. Animal shelters cost US citizens up to $2 billion every year.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(One Green Planet, PetMD)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The total cost of animals picked up by animal control and their sheltering, euthanasia, or disposal ranges between $1 to $2 billion annually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Government funding for animal shelters is how most shelters get their funds. However, shelters also raise money through crowdfunding, fundraising events, and donations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='38-not-all-animal-organizations-need-donations'><b>38. Not all animal organizations need donations.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Activist Facts)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of those organizations is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Their 2019 total registered revenue counted $271,999,050, according to the animal shelter statistics from 2020.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='39-maddie%e2%80%99s-fund-alone-has-donated-over-237-6-million-in-grants'><b>39. Maddie\u2019s Fund alone has donated over $237.6 million in grants.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Maddie\u2019s Fund)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maddie\u2019s Fund is one of the leading animal rights foundations. They&#8217;ve made numerous donations toward community lifesaving, medical education, foster care, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='faq'><b>FAQ<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 id='40-why-are-there-so-many-stray-cats'><b>40. Why are there so many stray cats?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overpopulation is the number one reason for stray or abandoned animals\u2014only 2% of stray cats are neutered or spayed. Public opinion also plays a role. 81% of Americans think that leaving a cat outside is better than having it euthanized.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='41-how-many-animals-are-abused-each-year'><b>41. How many animals are abused each year?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s estimated that around one million animals are abused every year. 250,000 alone are victims of animal hoarding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal abuse statistics report that there\u2019s a close relationship between animal and domestic violence.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">71% of domestic violence survivors said <a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/animal-abuse-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">their abuser had also injured, killed, or threatened to kill the household pet<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='42-do-animal-shelters-need-volunteers'><b>42. Do animal shelters need volunteers?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Volunteers are always needed, especially in nonprofit rescue organizations. If you\u2019re 16 or over and wondering how to help animal shelters, volunteering is always a good idea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bear in mind that volunteers at no-kill shelters and rescue groups work for free. Unlike the workers in government-funded animal shelters who make about $35K a year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The jobs they&#8217;re given range from walking dogs, feeding and cleaning cages to offering adoption counseling and doing administrative chores.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal shelters also need pet foster parents to look after the animals. The animal usually stays with a foster parent for a few weeks to a couple months.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='43-how-long-do-animals-stay-in-shelters-before-being-put-down'><b>43. How long do animals stay in shelters before being put down?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a rule, animal shelters wait at least 72 hours from when an animal is brought in before euthanizing it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='44-how-many-animals-die-in-shelters-each-year'><b>44. How many animals die in shelters each year?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For dogs, pit bulls take the lead. Almost 93% of the pit bulls that enter animal shelters are killed. They\u2019re also the hardest to find homes for, as only one in 600 pit bulls will be adopted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For cats, it\u2019s the color, not the breed. Black cats have the highest euthanasia rate and are the least likely to be rehomed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='the-bottom-line'><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are animal shelters important? Animal shelters care for homeless or abandoned animals and try to give them a home or a humane death if there\u2019s a need for it. Without them, there would be countless animals on the street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, not all animal shelters care for pets as they should. Many of these animals end up being euthanized or abused.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The primary way to help animals and animal shelters, for that matter, is to spay or neuter your pets. As the animal shelter statistics for 2022 indicate, it&#8217;s the best way to reduce the number of abandoned and euthanized animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='sources'><b>Sources:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.activistfacts.com\/organizations\/american-society-for-the-prevention-of-cruelty-to-animals-aspca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activist Facts<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanhumane.org\/fact-sheet\/animal-shelter-euthanasia-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">American Humane<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stray-afp.org\/blog\/latest-news\/united-states-facts-figures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal Foundation Platform<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.animallaw.info\/article\/brief-summary-animal-euthanasia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal Legal &amp; Historical Center \u2014 Michigan State University<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspca.org\/animal-homelessness\/shelter-intake-and-surrender\/pet-statistics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ASPCA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspca.org\/sites\/default\/files\/ar2019-online.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ASPCA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bestfriends.org\/about\/our-story\/no-kill-timeline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Friends Animal Society<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bestfriends.org\/blogs\/zeroing-no-kill-nationwide-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Friends Animal Society<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bestfriends.org\/blogs\/2020\/08\/14\/why-our-good-intentions-might-be-killing-more-1000-cats-and-kittens-every-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Friends Animal Society<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20200430005212\/en\/National-Data-Collected-by-24PetWatch-Indicates-a-36-Decrease-in-Pet-Adoptions-During-COVID-19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business Wire<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/no-kill-animal-shelter-delaware-becomes-the-first-no-kill-state-in-the-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CBSN<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dosomething.org\/us\/facts\/11-facts-about-animal-homelessness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DoSomething<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.humanesociety.org\/resources\/pets-numbers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSUS<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.humanesociety.org\/resources\/bringing-end-inhumane-euthanasia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HSUS<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/humaneforpets.com\/resources\/facts-and-statistics-about-animal-shelters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Humane Society<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maddiesfund.org\/fact-sheet.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maddie\u2019s Fund<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nokilladvocacycenter.org\/statistics.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No Kill Advocacy Center<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2014\/12\/31\/374218425\/no-kill-shelters-save-millions-of-unwanted-pets-but-not-all-of-them\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NPR<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.onegreenplanet.org\/animalsandnature\/12-alarming-facts-about-pet-homelessness\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One Green Planet<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/about-peta\/why-peta\/no-kill-shelters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PETA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/issues\/animal-companion-issues\/overpopulation\/euthanasia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PETA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/features\/peta-kills-animals-truth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PETA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/issues\/animal-companion-issues\/overpopulation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PETA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petfinder.com\/pet-adoption\/dog-adoption\/pets-relinquished-shelters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Petfinder<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.petful.com\/animal-welfare\/why-do-animal-shelters-have-to-euthanize-pets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Petful<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/m.petmd.com\/dog\/centers\/nutrition\/how-to-help-animal-shelters-stay-open\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">petMD<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shelteranimalscount.org\/data-dashboards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SAC<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2009\/10\/091013185154.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ScienceDaily<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/nation\/2020\/08\/12\/adoptions-dogs-coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Washington Post<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.today.com\/pets\/delaware-first-no-kill-state-shelter-animals-us-t160515\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why are there so many stray cats?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Overpopulation is the number one reason for stray or abandoned animals\u2014only 2% of stray cats are neutered or spayed. Public opinion also plays a role. 81% of Americans think that leaving a cat outside is better than having it euthanized.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many animals are abused each year?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It\u2019s estimated that around one million animals are abused every year. 250,000 alone are victims of animal hoarding.\\n\\nAnimal abuse statistics report that there\u2019s a close relationship between animal and domestic violence. 71% of domestic violence survivors reported that their abuser had also injured, killed, or threatened to kill the household pet.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do animal shelters need volunteers?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Volunteers are always needed, especially in nonprofit rescue organizations. If you\u2019re 16 or over and wondering how to help animal shelters, volunteering is always a good idea.\\n\\nBear in mind that volunteers at no-kill shelters and rescue groups work for free. Unlike the workers in government-funded animal shelters who make about $35K a year.\\n\\nThe jobs they're given range from walking dogs, feeding and cleaning cages to offering adoption counseling, and doing administrative chores.\\n\\nAnimal shelters also need pet foster parents to look after the animals. The animal usually stays with a foster parent for a few weeks to a couple months.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long do animals stay in shelters before being put down?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"As a rule, animal shelters wait at least 72 hours from when an animal is brought in before euthanizing it.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many animals die in shelters each year?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"For dogs, pit bulls take the lead. Almost 93% of the pit bulls that enter animal shelters are killed. They\u2019re also the hardest to find homes for, as only one in 600 pit bulls will be adopted.\\n\\nFor cats, it\u2019s the color, not the breed. Black cats have the highest euthanasia rate and are the least likely to be rehomed.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unfortunately, most animal shelter statistics paint a sad story. Though the progress in the years is evident, there&#8217;s plenty that can be done in 2022. [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/animal-shelter-statistics\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from 44 Shocking Animal Shelter Statistics (2024 UPDATE)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-746","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-stats-and-facts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}