125+ Pet Adoption Statistics 2024

Over 6 million dogs and cats go to animal shelters every year and of those just over half of the dogs get adopted in states like New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, with 65% of cats being adopted in states like Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

The number of animals being surrendered or abandoned by their owners has remained relatively stable over the last 4 years with an increase in abandoned dogs and a decrease in abandoned cats. Despite an uptick in no kill shelters, euthanasia rates have increased 15% since 2022 in large part because of holding period laws that allow for euthanasia to be administered within a few days of an animal coming to a shelter.

This page will provide key statistics around pet adoption in the US.

States That Adopt The Most

When it comes to dogs, three of the four corners in the popular southwest region of the US have the top adoption rates for dogs followed by Idaho and Kansas.

• 6.72%: New Mexico has the highest rate of dog adoption from shelters, with 6.72% per 1,000 people.
• 5.4%: Arizona has the second highest rate of dog adoption from shelters, at 5.4% per 1,000 people.
• 5.07%: Colorado has the third highest rate of dog adoption from shelters, at 5.07% per 1,000 people.
• 4.62%: 4.62% per 1000 people in Idaho adopted dogs from shelters.
• 4.14%: 4.14% per 1000 people in Kansas adopted dogs from shelters.

When it comes to cat adoptions, preferred cat ownership is widespread with Vermont in first place followed by Montana. Other states with significantly high adoption rates for cats represent the northwest of the United States, including Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico.

• 6.24%: 6.24% per 1000 people in Colorado adopted dogs from shelters.
• 6.03%: 6.03% per 1000 people in Wyoming adopted dogs from shelters.
• 5.82%: 5.82% per 1000 people in Utah adopted dogs from shelters.
• 5.63%: 5.63% per 1000 people in New Mexico adopted dogs from shelters.
• 5.36%: 5.36% per 1000 people in Idaho adopted dogs from shelters.

Dog Adoption Statistics

Dog statistics for 2023 indicate that just over half of all dogs who come to a shelter get successfully adopted.

• 56%: 56% of all dogs who were taken to shelters were adopted in 2023.
• 109,000: 109,000 more dogs were adopted in 2023 than in 2022.
• 2.2 million: 2.2 million dogs were adopted in 2023.
• 108,000: The number of dogs adopted in 2023 is 108,000 fewer (-5%) than in 2019.

The table below presents the average dog adoption rates per 1000 people for each state:

Cat Adoption Statistics

The number of cats successfully adopted in 2023 is 0.4 million more than dogs meaning that a higher percentage of cats who come to shelters are successfully adopted compared to dogs.

• 65%: 65% of cats taken to shelters were successfully adopted in 2023.
• 2.6 million: 2.6 million cats were successfully adopted in 2023.
• 34,000: 34,000 more cats were adopted in 2023 compared to 2022.
• 319,000: 319,000 more cats were adopted in 2023 compared to 2019.
• 6%: The rate of adoptions compared to the percentage of intakes for cats has increased 6% from 2019 to 2023 despite intake levels being relatively similar.

The table below presents the average cat adoption rates per 1000 people for each state:

Animal Euthanasia Statistics

The number of dogs and cats who have been euthanized in animal shelters has had a notable rise particularly for dogs over the last 5 years. The number of cats who have died while in care at shelters has remained relatively flat for the last 4 years however there has been a significant shift in the rates of animal euthanasia away from cats and toward dogs.

• 15%: The number of animal euthanasias has increased by 15% (112,000 animals) in 2023 compared to 2022.
• 16%: The number of animal euthanasias in 2023 was 16% lower than in 2019 (156,000 animals).
• 2%: 2% of animals in shelters died while in care in 2023.
• 37,000: 37,000 dogs died in care in shelters in 2023.
• 330,000: 330,000 cats were euthanized in shelters in 2023.
• 9%: 9% of animals in shelters were euthanized in 2023.
• 359,000: 359,000 dogs were euthanized in shelters in 2023.

The table below represents the comparative death rates for dogs and cats in shelters since 2019, with the exception of the lockdown in 2020:

Euthanasia Laws

The amount of time that an animal remains in a shelter prior to being euthanized depends on state laws. Each state has specific laws that determine how long a shelter must wait in order to provide time for a potential owner to locate their missing dog or cat.

The amount of time shelters must wait before euthanizing animals is called a “holding period.” Laws have average holding periods between 5 and 7 days but some states have them as short as 48 hours under certain circumstances.

• Wisconsin: If an animal control officer seizes a loose dog in Wisconsin a minimum holding period may not be required.
• Texas: The state of Texas delegates the authority to enact a holding period to local authorities.
• 5 States: At present five states including South Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Georgia, and Illinois require that all public shelters scan any impounded animal to check for microchips before they sell or euthanize those animals. However there are typically no penalties for shelters who fail to do so.

The table below presents data on the length of holding periods for different states:

No-Kill Shelters

There has been an increase of no kill shelters which are designed to save all animals without resorting to euthanasia. No kill shelters aim for a 90% save rate.

• 48%: By 2021, 48% of shelters in the United States were no kill shelters.
• 2019: In 2019, Delaware was the first state to become a no-kill shelter state meaning all of their shelters are no kill.

Delaware and New Hampshire are the only two states that operate no kill shelters exclusively. All other states have at least one no-kill shelter.

Intake And Outcome Shelter Data

Across America there are 4,915 shelters and 9,514 rescues that are currently operating. Shelters are physical organizations focused on animal intake and outtake while rescues are typically foster care based organizations. Data compiled from both shelters and rescues alike is used below for intake and outtake shelter data.

Intake Shelter Data

Intake data for shelters has remained roughly the same since 2022, with only slight increases compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The rates of dogs and cats remain relatively even too.

• 6,550,000: 6,550,000 dogs and cats entered shelters and rescue centers around the U.S. in 2023.
• 0.2%: Intake data for shelters increased 0.2% from 2022 to 2023.
• 4%: Intake data for shelters in 2023 increased 4% compared to 2021.
• 3.2%: Intake data for shelters increased 3.2% compared to 2019.
• 5 million: 1.5 million animals were transferred from one shelter to another in 2023.
• 4%: There was a 4% decrease from 2023 compared to 2022 for the number of animals transferred between shelters.

The table below indicates the percentages of total intake values for each circumstance:

Dog Intakes

3.2 million dogs entered animal shelters and rescue centers in 2023.

When looking at intake for dogs in particular, numbers have increased since 2021, representing nearly half of all animal intakes at shelters. The increase of the last few years is driven primarily by the number of stray dogs that are taken in.

• 10.2%: Dog intakes increased 10.2% from 2021 to 2023.
• 5.6%: Dog intakes increased 5.6% in 2023 compared to 2019.
• 24%: 24% of the number of dog intakes from 2019 through 2023 were because of owners relinquishing their pets.
• 46%: 46% of dog intakes in 2019 and 2023 were strays.
• 42%: 42% of dog intakes in 2021 were strays.
• 45%: 45% of dog intakes in 2022 were strays.

As you can see in the data above, the percentage of stray dogs or those who were otherwise abandoned dropped during the lockdown but has since resumed pre-pandemic numbers.

The table below indicates the percentages of total intake values for each dog intake circumstance:

Cat Intakes

3.3 million cats entered animal shelters and rescue centers in 2023.

When looking at intake for cats in particular, numbers have decreased over the last 4 years with the levels of strays and abandoned animals decreasing as well.

• 2.4%: The number of cats that entered shelters and rescues in 2023 dropped by 2.4% compared to 2022.
• 6%: The number of stray intakes dropped by 6% in 2023 compared to 2019.
• 25%: During 2021 and 2022 the number of owners who surrendered or relinquished their cats remained a steady 25% of total intake but this represented an 8% increase compared to 2019.

The table below indicates the percentages of total intake values for each cat intake circumstance:

Outtake Shelter Data

61% of pets in shelters were successfully adopted in 2023. These figures of live outtakes through adoption or returning to owners have increased steadily since 2019.

• 6,010,000: 6,010,000 dogs and cats successfully left shelters either by being adopted, returned to field, returned to their owner, or transferred out of the facility.
• 166,000: There was an increase in outtake data from 2022 to 2023 of 166,000 animals.
• 75,000: There was an increase in outtake data from 2019 compared to 2023 of 75,000 animals.

Animal Abuse Statistics

Animal abuse statistics are heavily tied to domestic violence and troubled youth. In fact, 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence with 71% of pet owners entering a domestic violence shelter because their abusive partner threatened, injured, or killed the family pet. Troubled youths also have higher rates of perpetrating animal cruelty during childhood.

• 10 million: 10 million animals die from abuse every year, of which 18% are often cats and. 60% are dogs.
• 50: 50 states have animal cruelty laws for which animal abuse is considered a felony.
• 71-83%: Between 71 and 83% of abuse cases involving domestic violence also have ties to an abusive partner hurting or killing the family pet.

Despite animal cruelty laws in every state, prosecution is rare.

Rescued Pet Statistics

The statistics for the number of rescued pets returned to their owner for dogs has dropped by 2% in 2013 compared to 2019 despite the fact that intakes for strays or abandoned dogs has increased during that same time frame. This means that not as many animals are being successfully returned in 2023 compared to 2019 figures.

• 9%: 9% of animals who went to shelters were successfully rescued and returned to their owner in 2023.
• 625,000: 625,000 dogs were returned to their owners in 2023.
• 363,000: 363,000 of cats in shelters were returned to their owners in 2023.
• 6%: Return to owner rates have decreased from 7% in 2019 to only 6% in 2023.
• 16%: Return to owner rates compared to the total dog intakes in shelters decreased from 18% in 2019 to 16% in 2023.

Surrendered Animal Statistics

Roughly one quarter of all pets that come to shelters and other pet centers are surrendered or relinquished by their owners. This amount has increased 1% in the last 2 years but otherwise has relatively remained stable.

• 24%: 24% of the number of dog intakes from 2019 through 2023 were because of owners surrendering their dogs.
• 24%: In 2019 24% of cat intakes were because of pet owners surrendering their cats.
• 25%: Since 2019 the number of cat intakes because of surrendering has increased to 25% of total intake.
• 47%: 47% of dogs are rehomed because of pet problems like an animal growing larger than expected, having health problems an owner can’t handle, or demonstrating problematic or aggressive behaviors.
• 42%: 42% of cats are rehomed because of pet problems like an animal growing larger than expected, having health problems an owner can’t handle, or demonstrating problematic or aggressive behaviors.

The table below presents the percentages of total intakes for pets surrendered or relinquished by owners for the last four years not counting the lockdown in 2020:

Abandoned Animal Statistics

Nearly 50% of all animals that end up at shelters are strays, those who have been abandoned or otherwise picked up by animal services. This amount has decreased around 2% over the last 4 years but otherwise remains relatively stable.

The table below presents the percentages of total intakes for pets who were abandoned for the last four years not counting the lockdown in 2020:

For dogs, the number of strays or otherwise abandoned animals represented 46% of total intake in 2019 and again in 2023. In between that time those figures dropped to 42% and 45% respectively.

For cats, the number of abandoned animals has dropped since 2019, with 54% of total intakes representing abandoned animals in 2019, 50% through 2022, and only 49% in 2023.

Adoption Vs. Breeder Statistics

When comparing adoption versus breeding, the majority of cats come from adoption through a shelter or rescue center while 11% more dogs are adopted from a breeder compared to a shelter.

• 44%: 44% of pet owners prefer to adopt from a rescue or shelter.
• 17%: 17% of pet owners say they prefer purchasing their animal from a breeder.
• 34%: 34% of dogs are purchased from a breeder.
• 3%: 3% of cats are purchased from a breeder.
• 23%: 23% of dogs are purchased from an animal shelter or rescue center.
• 31%: 31% of cats are purchased from an animal shelter or rescue center.
• 27%: 27% of cats in 2022 were acquired as a stray, a decrease from 35% in 2012.

For those pet owners who prefer adoption, the main reasons are to:

1. Save animals
2. Reduce overpopulation
3. Avoid supporting breeding facilities
4. Save money
5. Get access to a mixed breed with fewer health issues
6. Find a pet that is already trained
7. Get an older pet