Animal Shelter Statistics

Report Highlights. Animal shelters nationwide take in as many as 6.3 million cats and dogs annually, housing them in over 3,500 different facilities.

• Up to 58.7% of shelter animals are adopted.
• As many as 10.8% of shelter animals are reunited with owners.
• Some animal rights groups claim 40% of shelter animals are ultimately euthanized.
• Shelters report at least 16.7% of euthanized animals are no more than 5 months old.
• 29.0% of shelter animals are relinquished by an owner, a 10.3% increase from 2020.

Jump to a state: AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | PR | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | VI | WA | WV | WI | WY

Animal Shelter Statistics

An animal shelter is a non-profit organization, public or private, that houses and rehabilitates domestic animals.

• The average shelter takes in more than 1,100 animals in a year.
• Over 2,000 individual shelter and rescue organizations are registered and operating within the United States.
• There are 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters nationwide.
• Shelters take in between 3.3 million and 6.3 million animals every year.
• 34% of shelters use behavior modification to make animals more adoptable.
• Shelters report adopting out 58.7% of animals as companion animals or pets.
• Up to 40% of animals are euthanized or die in shelter care, often due to lack of space and funding.
• In surveys, most people drastically underestimate the number of animals killed in shelters each year.
• Americans spend over $2 billion annually on animal control, shelters, and euthanasia/disposal.
• In all of North America, including the United States, there are 10,000 rescue groups and sanctuaries.

Shelter Animal Statistics

The number of animals entering shelters has decreased in recent decades. While some of the decrease may be due to budget cuts, experts mainly credit public opinion and improved practices, such as population control through sterilization.

• Nationwide, 10.0% of shelter animals are reunited with an owner.
• 58.7% of shelter animals are adopted.
• 45.3% of adopted animals are dogs; 54.7% are cats.
• 8.8% of animals are reported euthanized; 1.7% die in shelter care.
• 45.5% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 54.5% are cats.
• At least 16.7% of euthanized animals are no more than 5 months old; a further 19.4% are of unknown age.
• 20.8% of shelter animals face some other outcome; they may have been transferred, lost and recaptured, neuter-and-release feral cats, etc.
• 18 months is the average age of animals entering shelters.
• 46.9% of shelter intakes are strays or otherwise at-large animals that have been captured.
• 26.3% of shelter intakes are pets relinquished by owners.

Pets in Shelters

One out of every three family pets gets lost at some point in their lifetime. Lost pet numbers are caretaker estimates based on certain clues, such as whether a cat has been sterilized or shows evidence of human care.

• Among shelter animals reunited with an owner, 87.0% are dogs and 13.0% are cats.
• 10% of animals entering shelters are spayed or neutered (indicating they could be a pet).
• 20% of animals adopted from shelters are returned again.
• Pets outnumber shelter animals 100-to-1.
• 31% of pet cats, or about 26.5 million, were adopted from a shelter.
• 23% of pet dogs, or about 17.9 million, were adopted from a shelter.
• 42% of non-pet owners who express interest in getting a companion animal say they would not consider adopting from a shelter.
• Cat owners are 40% more likely to adopt their pet from a shelter than dog owners.
• 36% of Americans who choose to rehome their dog take it to a shelter.
• 8.9% of owners who relinquish pets do so intending to have the animal euthanized.

Animal Shelter Historical Trends

In the last 50 years, animal shelters across the U.S. have diminished their intake numbers. Some of the decrease may be due to budget cuts. Experts, however, mainly credit reformed public opinion about stray animals and adoptions as well as improved practices, such as population control through sterilization.

• Shelter intake declined 21.8% from 2019 to 2020.
• Adoption rates increased 7.4% in 2020.
• The rate of owner-relinquished intakes increased 10.5% from 2020 to 2021.
• Owner relinquishment rates declined 0.1% from 2019 to 2020.
• The rate of strays entering shelters declined 5.8% from 2019 to 2020.
• In 1973, shelters took in over 20 million dogs and cats.
• At that time, it wasn’t uncommon for 90% of shelter animals to be euthanized.
• By 2020, shelter intake nationwide was down 68%.
• In the last decade, the number of animals entering shelters has declined by at least 10%.

Statistics About Cats in Shelters

Pet cats are more likely than pet dogs to spend time outside alone, and they are much less likely to be reunited with owners.

• Between 1.7 million and 3.2 million cats live in shelters nationwide.
• For every cat in a shelter, there are as many as 50 pet cats.
• Shelters take in up to 130% more cats during warmer months than they do in the dead of winter.
• More cats enter shelters as strays than any other animal.
• Some shelters report euthanizing up to 70% of cats.
• 2-5% of shelter cats are reunited with an owner.
• Cats outnumber dogs in many shelters, sometimes by as much as 3-to-1.
• 19% of people say shelter cats are less adoptable than shelter dogs.

Statistics About Dogs in Shelters

The number of dogs entering shelters is declining at a faster rate than it is for cats, though dog owners are less likely to get their animal from a shelter than cat owners. Smaller dogs are typically adopted quicker than and have shorter shelter stays than larger dogs.

• Nationwide, there are between 1.6 million and 3.3 million shelter dogs.
• For every dog in a shelter, there are 26 pet dogs.
• 48% of shelter dogs are adopted.
• 22% of shelter dogs are euthanized.
• 15-20% of shelter dogs are reunited with an owner.
• 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred.
• 4 of the 10 most popular dog breeds are also the most commonly found in shelters.
• Toy breeds are most likely to be adopted at a rate of 73%.
• Herding dogs are least likely to be adopted at a rate of 48.7%
• A shelter dog spends an average of 35 days waiting to be adopted.
• “Black Dog Syndrome” refers to the phenomenon that – according to some studies – animals with dark fur are less likely to be adopted from a shelter than animals with light fur.

Shelter Puppies and Kittens

Baby animals are common in shelters, where they are especially vulnerable. Proximity to other animals spreads infectious and viral diseases, and the extra attention and care that all babies require is often unavailable for lack of resources or knowledge.

• 46.7% of shelter cats are kittens (a further 11.7% are of indeterminate age).
• Kittens are 33% more likely to be adopted than adult cats.
• July through December is “kitten season” in most shelters.
• Kittens require bottle feedings every two hours and round-the-clock care.
• 55-71% of kittens that die in shelters are killed by disease.
• The mortality rate for orphaned kittens is as high as 40%.
• 46% of shelter dogs are puppies or juveniles.
• Puppies under six months wait an average of 23 days before they’re adopted.
• On average, a lapdog puppy spends just 13 days in a shelter before adoption.

Euthanasia in Shelters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifies that euthanasia must be painless. Most states have laws regulating the administration and methods of animal euthanasia.

• As recently as 2019, 25% of shelter animals were confirmed euthanized.
• 35 states have laws about how long a shelter must hold an animal before authorizing euthanasia.
• In states with holding laws, the minimums range from 48 hours to 10 days.
• 5 states are responsible for half of all euthanized shelter animals.
• Animal rights groups estimate that 99% of euthanized and deceased animals are adoptable.
• As many as 57% of euthanized and deceased animals are unweaned kittens.
• Since 2011, euthanizations in shelters are down roughly 42%.
• Specialized spay and neuter clinics offer low-cost surgeries, which reduced the population of unwanted pets in one California town by 70%.
• Shelters that sterilize prior to release reduce intake by 10% over five years.
• Almost 90% of people surveyed believe euthanasia rates are less than half of what they actually are.
• Up to 10% of animals in no-kill shelters are euthanized due to health or behavioral reasons.

For more information about shelter animal euthanasia, see our report on Animal Euthanasia Statistics.

Other Shelter Animals

While cats and dogs make up the vast majority of intakes, shelters generally don’t turn animals away. Many exotic animals have extensive life spans and may spend years living in a shelter.

• Dogs and cats are 50% more likely to be adopted than other shelter animals.
• After dogs and cats, rabbits are the most-abandoned animals.
• Turtles carry salmonella and require special handling.
• Shelters have reported taking in dozens of animals species, including, but not limited to:
  

  Parrots Turtles Snakes Rabbits Chinchillas Hamsters Rats Dabb Lizards Bushbabies Fish

  Ferrets Pigs Bearded Dragons Iguanas Emus Peacocks Llamas Gerbils Parakeets Spiders

  Chickens Cows Horses Goats Guinea Pigs Mice Donkeys Capybaras Sugar Gliders Alpacas

Specialty Animals & Shelters

Animals kept for racing, testing, or illegal activities (e.g. fighting) often require rehabilitation before they can be considered candidates for adoption.

• 80,000 new greyhounds join the racing industry each year.
• 3-5% of racing greyhounds injuries are fatal.
• The most common injury among racing greyhounds is a broken leg.
• Over 1200 racing horses experience fatal breakdowns and injuries each year.
• Horse racing is legal in 22 states.
• The Department of Justice seizes over 300 dogs annually from dog fighting rings.
• Pit bulls are the most popular fighting dogs due to their perceived ferociousness.
• 93% of pit bulls in shelters are euthanized.

Animal Shelter Statistics by State

Changes among localities may be related to shelter resources, the size of local human populations, and attitudes toward shelters and stray animals, among other contributing factors.

• California takes in the most shelter animals, housing 11.7% of the nation’s shelter population.
• Texas accepts the largest number of transfers, registering 68,658 animals accepted.
• Vermont shelters are the most likely to have cats, which make up 76.0% of the population.
• Among states, Mississippi houses dogs at the highest rate, with dogs accounting for 69.3% of shelter populations.
• Including territories, Puerto Rico’s shelters keep dogs at the highest rate, accounting for 69.6% of the population.
• Shelter animals in New Hampshire are the most likely to be adopted, at a rate of 86.4%.
• Among states, Wyoming shelters adopt out animals at the lowest rate, with 33.4% of shelter animals finding homes.
• Including territories, animals in the Virgin Islands are the least likely to be adopted, with 27.1% of shelter animals finding homes.
• Animals in North Dakota shelters are the least likely to be euthanized, at a rate of 3.5%
• Among states, shelters in Hawaii are most likely to euthanize animals, at a rate of 27.2%.
• Including territories, Puerto Rico euthanizes shelter animals at the highest rate, with 43.1% of animals dying in shelters.

Selected* Animal Shelters’ Reported Annual Intake by State

State	Dogs	Cats
Alabama	38,203	21,826
Alaska	2,972	3,234
Arizona	65,791	41,507
Arkansas	12,808	6,696
California	190,684	192,871
Colorado	53,398	51,460
Connecticut	3,608	5,066
Delaware	6,752	9,519
D.C.	2,887	4,711
Florida	114,987	154,978
Georgia	59,246	55,656
Hawaii	7,635	11,702
Idaho	17,454	18,762
Illinois	41,140	39,171
Indiana	28,918	40,121
Iowa	12,785	14,728
Kansas	22,466	19,643
Kentucky	32,264	31,996
Louisiana	34,044	33,116
Maine	4,216	8,990
Maryland	19,554	30,684
Massachusetts	9,901	15,672
Michigan	30,793	34,411
Minnesota	18,993	26,035
Mississippi	21,725	9,622
Missouri	28.342	29,497
Montana	8,649	8,696
Nebraska	10,629	13,694
Nevada	26,190	20,734
New Hampshire	3,086	6,221
New Jersey	16,910	24,553
New Mexico	25,638	18,305
New York	33,237	55,220
North Carolina	59,292	57,837
North Dakota	2,873	3,087
Ohio	40,766	42,172
Oklahoma	35,630	21,726
Oregon	19,061	29,455
Pennsylvania	27,754	41,178
Puerto Rico	3,128	1,364
Rhode Island	2,980	3,736
South Carolina	34,858	33,943
South Dakota	721	1,103
Tennessee	51,219	39,971
Texas	208,498	132,110
Utah	21,948	26,501
Vermont	1,592	5,047
Virginia	40,807	45,879
Virgin Islands	1,592	942
Washington	29,027
West Virginia	6,938	52,355
Wisconsin	26,196	42,658
Wyoming	3,265	3,938

*Only shelters registered and listed with Shelter Animals Count are included.

Alabama Animal Shelter Statistics

Alabama houses 1.83% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.35% of shelter adoptions.

• 53 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 60,029 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 4,876 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report adopting out 14,390 dogs and 11,526 cats in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,133 animals each year.
• 7.6% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 43.2% are adopted; 19.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 30.1% face some other outcome.
• 63.6% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 11.1% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 37.7% of dogs are adopted; 17.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 34.0% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 36.4% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.3% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 52.8% of cats are adopted; 22.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 23.1% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 55.5% of adopted animals are dogs; 44.5% are cats.
• 93.6% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 6.4% are cats.
• 56.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 43.1% are cats.

Alaska Animal Shelter Statistics

Alaska houses 0.19% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.20% of shelter adoptions.

• 11 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 6,206 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 443 transferred in from other facilities.
• Shelters report 1,340 dogs and 2,492 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 564 animals each year.
• 19.7% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 61.7% are adopted; 9.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 9.0% face some other outcome.
• 47.9% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 28.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 45.1% of dogs are adopted; 9.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 16.6% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 52.1% of shelter animals are cats.
• 11.6% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 77.1% of cats are adopted; 9.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 2.0% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 35.0% of adopted animals are dogs; 65.0% are cats.
• 69.3% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 30.7% are cats.
• 49.2% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 50.8% are cats.

Arizona Animal Shelter Statistics

Arizona houses 3.28% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 3.61% of shelter adoptions.

• 95 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 107,298 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 15,288 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 41,175 dogs and 28,337 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,129 animals each year.
• 9.7% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 64.8% are adopted; 10.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 15.0% face some other outcome.
• 61.3% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 14.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 62.6% of dogs are adopted; 8.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 14.4% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 38.7% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 68.3% of cats are adopted; 13.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 15.9% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 59.2% of adopted animals are dogs; 40.8% are cats.
• 92.2% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 7.8% are cats.
• 49.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 50.7% are cats.

Arkansas Animal Shelter Statistics

Arkansas houses 0.60% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.54% of shelter adoptions.

• 41 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 19,504 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 1,476 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 5,292 dogs and 5,080 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 476 animals each year.
• 13.8% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 53.2% are adopted; 9.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 23.9% face some other outcome.
• 65.7% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 19.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 41.3% of dogs are adopted; 7.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 31.5% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 34.3% of shelter animals are cats.
• 3.0% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 75.9% of cats are adopted; 11.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 9.5% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 51.0% of adopted animals are dogs; 49.0% are cats.
• 92.5% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 7.5% are cats.
• 56.1% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 43.9% are cats.

California Animal Shelter Statistics

California houses 11.7% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 10.3% of shelter adoptions.

• 259 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 383,555 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 53,382 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 90,156 dogs and 107,485 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,481 animals each year.
• 12.3% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 51.5% are adopted; 13.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 22.9% face some other outcome.
• 49.7% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 22.2% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 47.3% of dogs are adopted; 10.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 19.8% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 50.3% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.5% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 55.7% of cats are adopted; 15.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 26.0% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 45.6% of adopted animals are dogs; 54.4% are cats.
• 89.7% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 10.3% are cats.
• 40.2% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 59.8% are cats.

Colorado Animal Shelter Statistics

Colorado houses 3.20% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 3.71% of shelter adoptions.

• 82 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 104,858 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 28,402 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 32,780 dogs and 38,594 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,279 animals each year.
• 16.9% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 68.1% are adopted; 7.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 7.8% face some other outcome.
• 50.9% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 28.3% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 61.4% of dogs are adopted; 6.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 3.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 49.1% of shelter animals are cats.
• 5.0% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 75.0% of cats are adopted; 8.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 12.0% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 45.9% of adopted animals are dogs; 54.1% are cats.
• 85.4% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 14.6% are cats.
• 46.5% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 53.5% are cats.

Connecticut Animal Shelter Statistics

Connecticut houses 0.26% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.39% of shelter adoptions.

• 22 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 8,674 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 3,461 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 3,128 dogs and 4,316 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 394 animals each year.
• 4.9% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 85.8% are adopted; 7.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 2.1% face some other outcome.
• 41.6% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 7.9% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 86.7% of dogs are adopted; 4.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 1.2% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 58.4% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.8% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 85.2% of cats are adopted; 9.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 2.7% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 42.0% of adopted animals are dogs; 58.0% are cats.
• 67.1% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 32.9% are cats.
• 24.2% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 75.8% are cats.

Delaware Animal Shelter Statistics

Delaware houses 0.50% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.59% of shelter adoptions.

• 7 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 16,271 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 4,313 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 4,942 dogs and 6,479 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 2,324 animals each year.
• 8.0% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 70.2% are adopted; 7.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 14.6% face some other outcome.
• 41.5% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 17.1% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 73.2% of dogs are adopted; 7.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 2.4% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 58.5% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.6% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 68.1% of cats are adopted; 6.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 23.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 43.3% of adopted animals are dogs; 56.7% are cats.
• 88.4% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 11.6% are cats.
• 41.8% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 58.2% are cats.

District of Columbia Animal Shelter Statistics

The District of Columbia houses 0.23% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.28% of shelter adoptions.

• 3 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 7,598 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 672 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 1,662 dogs and 3,738 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 2,533 animals each year.
• 7.9% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 71.1% are adopted; 15.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 5.7% face some other outcome.
• 38.0% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 16.8% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 57.6% of dogs are adopted; 24.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 1.6% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 62.0% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.5% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 79.3% of cats are adopted; 10.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 8.2% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 30.8% of adopted animals are dogs; 69.2% are cats.
• 80.7% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 19.3% are cats.
• 59.6% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 40.4% are cats.

Florida Animal Shelter Statistics

Florida houses 8.24% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 8.09% of shelter adoptions.

• 178 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 269,965 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 36,928 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 68,265 dogs and 87,234 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,517 animals each year.
• 7.7% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 57.6% are adopted; 11.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 23.5% face some other outcome.
• 42.6% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 15.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 59.4% of dogs are adopted; 10.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 43.9% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 57.4% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.0% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 56.3% of cats are adopted; 12.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 29.7% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 43.9% of adopted animals are dogs; 56.1% are cats.
• 85.0% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 15.0% are cats.
• 38.6% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 61.4% are cats.

Georgia Animal Shelter Statistics

Georgia houses 3.51% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 3.25% of shelter adoptions.

• 109 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 114,902 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 22,753 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 30,468 dogs and 31,941 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,054 animals each year.
• 8.2% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 54.3% are adopted; 9.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 27.6% face some other outcome.
• 51.6% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 14.6% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 51.4% of dogs are adopted; 7.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 26.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 48.4% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.5% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 57.4% of cats are adopted; 12.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 28.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 48.8% of adopted animals are dogs; 51.2% are cats.
• 91.2% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 8.8% are cats.
• 38.2% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 61.8% are cats.

Hawaii Animal Shelter Statistics

Hawaii houses 0.59% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.47% of shelter adoptions.

• 9 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 19,337 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 370 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 3,729 dogs and 5,258 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 2,149 animals each year.
• 13.8% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 46.5% are adopted; 27.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 12.6% face some other outcome.
• 39.5% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 27.0% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 48.8% of dogs are adopted; 16.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 8.1% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 60.5% of shelter animals are cats.
• 5.2% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 44.9% of cats are adopted; 34.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 15.5% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 41.5% of adopted animals are dogs; 58.5% are cats.
• 77.2% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 22.8% are cats.
• 23.5% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 76.5% are cats.

Idaho Animal Shelter Statistics

Idaho houses 1.11% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.14% of shelter adoptions.

• 33 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 36,216 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 3,745 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 9,401 dogs and 12,566 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,097 animals each year.
• 16.9% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 60.7% are adopted; 12.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 10.2% face some other outcome.
• 48.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 31.8% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 53.9% of dogs are adopted; 7.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 7.2% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 51.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 67.0% of cats are adopted; 17.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 12.9% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 42.8% of adopted animals are dogs; 57.2% are cats.
• 91.0% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 9.0% are cats.
• 27.7% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 72.3% are cats.

Illinois Animal Shelter Statistics

Illinois houses 2.45% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 3.03% of shelter adoptions.

• 76 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 80,311 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 35,355 transferred from other facilities.
• 29,322 dogs and 28,928 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,057 animals each year.
• 5.4% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 72.5% are adopted; 8.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 13.7% face some other outcome.
• 51.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 8.9% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 71.3% of dogs are adopted; 7.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 12.6% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 48.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.7% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 73.9% of cats are adopted; 9.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 14.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 50.3% of adopted animals are dogs; 49.7% are cats.
• 84.5% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 15.5% are cats.
• 44.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 55.7% are cats.

Indiana Animal Shelter Statistics

Indiana houses 2.11% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 2.07% of shelter adoptions.

• 61 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 69,039 animals entered shelters in 2020, 9,667 including transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 14,303 dogs and 25,553 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,132 animals each year.
• 12.7% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 57.7% are adopted; 10.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 19.4% face some other outcome.
• 41.9% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 26.7% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 49.5% of dogs are adopted; 9.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 49.5% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 58.1% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.7% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 63.7% of cats are adopted; 10.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 22.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 35.9% of adopted animals are dogs; 64.1% are cats.
• 87.8% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 12.2% are cats.
• 37.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 62.1% are cats.

Iowa Animal Shelter Statistics

Iowa houses 0.84% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.05% of shelter adoptions.

• 29 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 27,513 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 3,729 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 12,785 dogs and 11,378 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 949 animals each year.
• 12.9% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 73.2% are adopted; 10.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 3.4% face some other outcome.
• 46.5% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 22.7% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 68.5% of dogs are adopted; 9.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 53.5% of shelter animals are cats.
• 4.3% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 77.3% of cats are adopted; 11.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 6.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 43.5% of adopted animals are dogs; 56.5% are cats.
• 82.0% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 18.0% are cats.
• 40.2% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 59.8% are cats.

Kansas Animal Shelter Statistics

Kansas houses 1.29% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.45% of shelter adoptions.

• 28 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 42,109 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 12,167 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 14,120 dogs and 13,723 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,504 animals each year.
• 10.0% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 66.1% are adopted; 9.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 15.0% face some other outcome.
• 53.4% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 16.6% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 62.9% of dogs are adopted; 7.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 13.3% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 46.6% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.4% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 69.9% of cats are adopted; 11.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 16.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 50.7% of adopted animals are dogs; 49.3% are cats.
• 88.9% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 11.1% are cats.
• 42.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 57.1% are cats.

Kentucky Animal Shelter Statistics

Kentucky houses 1.96% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.53% of shelter adoptions.

• 52 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 64,260 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 8,730 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 12,995 dogs and 16.362 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,236 animals each year.
• 9.3% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 45.7% are adopted;12.4 % are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 32.6% face some other outcome.
• 50.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 16.8% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 40.3% of dogs are adopted; 8.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 34.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 49.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.7% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 51.1% of cats are adopted; 16.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 30.5% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 44.3% of adopted animals are dogs; 55.7% are cats.
• 91.1% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 8.9% are cats.
• 33.1% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 66.9% are cats.

Louisiana Animal Shelter Statistics

Louisiana houses 2.05% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.36% of shelter adoptions.

• 59 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 67,160 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 8,666 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 12,425 dogs and 13,691 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,138 animals each year.
• 6.5% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 38.9% are adopted; 16.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 38.3% face some other outcome.
• 50.7% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 11.6% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 36.5% of dogs are adopted; 15.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 36.1% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 49.3% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.2% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 41.3% of cats are adopted; 16.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 40.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 47.6% of adopted animals are dogs; 52.4% are cats.
• 90.8% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 9.2% are cats.
• 49.1% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 50.9% are cats.

Maine Animal Shelter Statistics

Maine houses 3.44% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.59% of shelter adoptions.

• 17 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 13,206 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 4,485 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 3,139 dogs and 8,196 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 777 animals each year.
• 9.4% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 85.8% are adopted; 4.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 0.1% face some other outcome.
• 31.9% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 20.6% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 74.5% of dogs are adopted; 4.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 0.8% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 68.1% of shelter animals are cats.
• 4.1% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 91.2% of cats are adopted; 4.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 27.7% of adopted animals are dogs; 72.3% are cats.
• 70.0% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 30.0% are cats.
• 28.5% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 71.5% are cats.

Maryland Animal Shelter Statistics

Maryland houses 1.53% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.37% of shelter adoptions.

• 56 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 50,238 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 7,395 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 9,494 dogs and 16,768 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 897 animals each year.
• 9.7% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 52.3% are adopted; 15.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 22.9% face some other outcome.
• 38.9% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 21.0% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 48.6% of dogs are adopted; 15.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 14.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 61.1% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.4% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 54.6% of cats are adopted; 14.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 28.2% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 36.2% of adopted animals are dogs; 63.8% are cats.
• 84.6% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 15.4% are cats.
• 40.5% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 59.5% are cats.

Massachusetts Animal Shelter Statistics

Massachusetts houses 0.78% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.05% of shelter adoptions.

• 38 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 25,573 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 9,446 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 7,432 dogs and 12,836 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 673 animals each year.
• 6.0% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 79.3% are adopted; 11.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 3.7% face some other outcome.
• 38.7% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 9.8% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 75.1% of dogs are adopted; 13.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 1.6% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 61.3% of shelter animals are cats.
• 3.6% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 81.9% of cats are adopted; 9.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 5.0% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 36.7% of adopted animals are dogs; 63.3% are cats.
• 63.1% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 36.9% are cats.
• 47.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 52.7% are cats.

Michigan Animal Shelter Statistics

Michigan houses 1.99% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 2.32% of shelter adoptions.

• 74 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 65,204 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 10,774 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 17,412 dogs and 27,132 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 881 animals each year.
• 9.8% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 68.3% are adopted; 12.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 9.2% face some other outcome.
• 47.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 18.0% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 56.5% of dogs are adopted; 15.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 10.5% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 52.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.4% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 78.8% of cats are adopted; 10.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 8.1% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 39.1% of adopted animals are dogs; 60.9% are cats.
• 86.6% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 13.4% are cats.
• 55.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 44.1% are cats.

Minnesota Animal Shelter Statistics

Minnesota houses 1.37% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.70% of shelter adoptions.

• 63 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 45,028 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 12,596 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 13,593 dogs and 19,098 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 715 animals each year.
• 7.1% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 72.6% are adopted; 8.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.6% face some other outcome.
• 42.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 13.1% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 71.6% of dogs are adopted; 9.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 6.1% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 57.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.8% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 73.4% of cats are adopted; 8.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 15.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 41.6% of adopted animals are dogs; 58.4% are cats.
• 77.3% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 22.7% are cats.
• 45.0% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 55.0% are cats.

Mississippi Animal Shelter Statistics

Mississippi houses 0.96% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.64% of shelter adoptions.

• 24 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 31,347 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 6,246 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 6,576 dogs and 5,765 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,306 animals each year.
• 5.0% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 39.4% are adopted; 7.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 48.4% face some other outcome.
• 69.3% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 6.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 30.3% of dogs are adopted; 5.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 57.8% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 30.7% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.7% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 59.9% of cats are adopted; 11.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 27.2% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 53.3% of adopted animals are dogs; 46.7% are cats.
• 89.6% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 10.4% are cats.
• 52.4% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 47.6% are cats.

Missouri Animal Shelter Statistics

Missouri houses 1.77% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 2.05% of shelter adoptions.

• 53 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 57,839 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 8,300 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 18,801 dogs and 20,574 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,091 animals each year.
• 10.1% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 68.1% are adopted; 8.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 13.8% face some other outcome.
• 49.0% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 15.4% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 66.3% of dogs are adopted; 5.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 12.8% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 51.0% of shelter animals are cats.
• 4.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 69.7% of cats are adopted; 10.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 14.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 47.7% of adopted animals are dogs; 52.3% are cats.
• 75.0% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 25.0% are cats.
• 32.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 67.1% are cats.

Montana Animal Shelter Statistics

Montana houses 0.53% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.63% of shelter adoptions.

• 24 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 17,345 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 1,629 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 4,958 dogs and 7,126 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 723 animals each year.
• 22.8% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 69.7% are adopted; 5.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 2.3% face some other outcome.
• 49.9% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 37.8% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 57.3% of dogs are adopted; 3.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 1.6% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 50.1% of shelter animals are cats.
• 7.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 81.9% of cats are adopted; 7.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 3.1% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 41.0% of adopted animals are dogs; 59.0% are cats.
• 82.6% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 17.4% are cats.
• 31.8% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 68.2% are cats.

Nebraska Animal Shelter Statistics

Nebraska houses 0.74% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.76% of shelter adoptions.

• 21 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 24,323 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 2,175 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 5,806 dogs and 8,853 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,158 animals each year.
• 17.1% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 60.3% are adopted; 17.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 5.6% face some other outcome.
• 43.7% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 33.1% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 54.6% of dogs are adopted; 11.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 0.9% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 56.3% of shelter animals are cats.
• 4.7% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 64.6% of cats are adopted; 21.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 9.3% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 39.6% of adopted animals are dogs; 60.4% are cats.
• 84.5% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 15.5% are cats.
• 29.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 70.7% are cats.

Nevada Animal Shelter Statistics

Nevada houses 1.43% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.34% of shelter adoptions.

• 50 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 46,924 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 9,166 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 12,486 dogs and 13,261 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 938 animals each year.
• 15.4% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 54.9% are adopted; 13.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 16.6% face some other outcome.
• 55.8% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 25.3% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 47.7% of dogs are adopted; 14.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 12.5% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 44.2% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.8% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 64.0% of cats are adopted; 11.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 21.7% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 48.5% of adopted animals are dogs; 51.5% are cats.
• 91.9% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 8.1% are cats.
• 61.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 38.7% are cats.

New Hampshire Animal Shelter Statistics

New Hampshire houses 0.28% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.42% of shelter adoptions.

• 20 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 9,307 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 4,085 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 2,194 dogs and 5,751 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 465 animals each year.
• 10.4% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 86.4% are adopted; 5.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 33.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 24.3% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 71.1% of dogs are adopted; 6.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 66.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 3.6% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 94.1% of cats are adopted; 4.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 27.3% of adopted animals are dogs; 72.7% are cats.
• 77.1% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 22.9% are cats.
• 37.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 62.1% are cats.

New Jersey Animal Shelter Statistics

New Jersey houses 1.27% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.46% of shelter adoptions.

• 55 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 41,463 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 13,210 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 11,391 dogs and 16,636 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 754 animals each year.
• 6.6% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 67.6% are adopted; 6.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 19.0% face some other outcome.
• 40.8% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 11.7% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 67.4% of dogs are adopted; 2.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 18.3% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 59.2% of shelter animals are cats.
• 3.2% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 67.8% of cats are adopted; 9.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 19.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 40.6% of adopted animals are dogs; 59.4% are cats.
• 71.7% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 28.3% are cats.
• 16.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 83.7% are cats.

New Mexico Animal Shelter Statistics

New Mexico houses 1.34% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.03% of shelter adoptions.

• 32 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 43,943 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 3,493 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 10,205 dogs and 9,555 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,373 animals each year.
• 9.8% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 45.0% are adopted; 14.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 31.1% face some other outcome.
• 58.3% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 15.3% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 39.8% of dogs are adopted; 10.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 34.4% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 41.7% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.0% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 52.2% of cats are adopted; 19.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 26.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 51.6% of adopted animals are dogs; 48.4% are cats.
• 91.4% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 8.6% are cats.
• 43.4% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 56.6% are cats.

New York Animal Shelter Statistics

New York houses 2.70% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 3.33% of shelter adoptions.

• 136 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 88,457 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 21,680 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 22,507 dogs and 41,525 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 650 animals each year.
• 6.3% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 72.4% are adopted; 10.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.3% face some other outcome.
• 37.6% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 13.6% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 67.7% of dogs are adopted; 10.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 7.8% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 62.4% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.0% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 75.2% of cats are adopted; 9.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 13.4% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 35.1% of adopted animals are dogs; 64.9% are cats.
• 80.5% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 19.5% are cats.
• 41.1% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 58.9% are cats.

North Carolina Animal Shelter Statistics

North Carolina houses 3.58% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 3.35% of shelter adoptions.

• 97 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 117,129 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 20,163 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 30,281 dogs and 34,195 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,208 animals each year.
• 9.1% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 55.0% are adopted; 14.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 21.5% face some other outcome.
• 50.6% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 16.2% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 51.5% of dogs are adopted; 10.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 22.4% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 49.4% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 59.1% of cats are adopted; 18.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 20.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 47.0% of adopted animals are dogs; 53.0% are cats.
• 89.9% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 10.1% are cats.
• 36.4% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 63.6% are cats.

North Dakota Animal Shelter Statistics

North Dakota houses 0.18% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.23% of shelter adoptions.

• 11 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 5,960 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 877 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 1,944 dogs and 2,519 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 542 animals each year.
• 14.5% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 74.9% are adopted; 3.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 7.1% face some other outcome.
• 48.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 20.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 67.7% of dogs are adopted; 2.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 9.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 51.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 8.8% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 81.6% of cats are adopted; 4.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 4.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 43.6% of adopted animals are dogs; 56.4% are cats.
• 68.4% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 31.6% are cats.
• 29.2% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 70.8% are cats.

Ohio Animal Shelter Statistics

Ohio houses 2.53% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 3.08% of shelter adoptions.

• 83 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 82,938 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 15,413 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 26,164 dogs and 33,106 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 999 animals each year.
• 9.4% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 71.5% are adopted; 7.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.9% face some other outcome.
• 49.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 17.3% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 64.2% of dogs are adopted; 6.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.9% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 50.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.7% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 78.5% of cats are adopted; 7.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.9% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 44.1% of adopted animals are dogs; 55.9% are cats.
• 90.5% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 9.5% are cats.
• 44.7% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 55.3% are cats.

Oklahoma Animal Shelter Statistics

Oklahoma houses 1.75% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.42% of shelter adoptions.

• 51 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 57,356 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 11,507 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 15.348 dogs and 11,938 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,125 animals each year.
• 9.0% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 47.6% are adopted; 10.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 33.4% face some other outcome.
• 62.1% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 13.8% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 43.1% of dogs are adopted; 9.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 33.2% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 37.9% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.2% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 54.9% of cats are adopted; 10.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 33.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 56.2% of adopted animals are dogs; 43.8% are cats.
• 94.9% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 5.1% are cats.
• 61.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 38.7% are cats.

Oregon Animal Shelter Statistics

Oregon houses 1.48% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.73% of shelter adoptions.

• 54 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 48,516 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 11,211 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 10,748 dogs and 22.519 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 898 animals each year.
• 13.6% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 68.6% are adopted; 7.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 10.5% face some other outcome.
• 39.3% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 30.3% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 56.4% of dogs are adopted; 7.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 6.3% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 60.7% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 76.5% of cats are adopted; 7.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 13.2% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 32.3% of adopted animals are dogs; 67.7% are cats.
• 87.1% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 12.9% are cats.
• 38.1% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 61.9% are cats.

Pennsylvania Animal Shelter Statistics

Pennsylvania houses 2.10% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 2.61% of shelter adoptions.

• 75 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 68,932 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 16,136 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 10,596 dogs and 30,573 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 919 animals each year.
• 6.0% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 72.8% are adopted; 9.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.5% face some other outcome.
• 40.3% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 11.0% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 70.6% of dogs are adopted; 7.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 10.8% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 59.7% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.7% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 74.2% of cats are adopted; 11.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.9% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 39.1% of adopted animals are dogs; 60.9% are cats.
• 73.6% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 26.4% are cats.
• 31.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 68.7% are cats.

Puerto Rico Animal Shelter Statistics

Puerto Rico houses 0.14% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.09% of shelter adoptions.

• 6 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 4,492 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 289 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 1,175 dogs and 466 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 749 animals each year.
• 0.6% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 36.5% are adopted; 43.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 19.8% face some other outcome.
• 69.6% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 0.9% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 37.6% of dogs are adopted; 37.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 23.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 30.4% of shelter animals are cats.
• 34.2% of cats are adopted; 55.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 10.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 71.6% of adopted animals are dogs; 28.4% are cats.
• 100% of animals reunited with owners are dogs.
• 61.2% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 38.8% are cats.

Rhode Island Animal Shelter Statistics

Rhode Island houses 0.21% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.26% of shelter adoptions.

• 12 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 6,716 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 2,364 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 2,300 dogs and 2,615 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 560 animals each year.
• 10.5% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 73.2% are adopted; 5.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.0% face some other outcome.
• 44.4% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 16.6% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 77.2% of dogs are adopted; 4.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 1.8% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 55.6% of shelter animals are cats.
• 5.6% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 70.0% of cats are adopted; 6.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 18.3% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 46.8% of adopted animals are dogs; 53.2% are cats.
• 70.1% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 29.9% are cats.
• 36.5% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 63.5% are cats.

South Carolina Animal Shelter Statistics

South Carolina houses 2.10% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.86% of shelter adoptions.

• 54 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 68,801 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 6,484 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 17,181 dogs and 18,603 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,274 animals each year.
• 7.1% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 52.0% are adopted; 10.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 30.1% face some other outcome.
• 50.7% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 12.4% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 49.3% of dogs are adopted; 6.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 31.4% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 49.3% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.6% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 54.8% of cats are adopted; 14.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 28.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 48.0% of adopted animals are dogs; 52.0% are cats.
• 89.1% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 10.9% are cats.
• 32.4% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 67.6% are cats.

South Dakota Animal Shelter Statistics

South Dakota houses 0.06% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.07% of shelter adoptions.

• 6 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 1,824 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 390 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 551 dogs and 869 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 304 animals each year.
• 3.7% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 77.9% are adopted; 3.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 14.5% face some other outcome.
• 39.5% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 6.4% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 76.4% of dogs are adopted; 1.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 15.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 60.5% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 78.8% of cats are adopted; 5.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 13.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 38.8% of adopted animals are dogs; 61.2% are cats.
• 68.7% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 31.3% are cats.
• 15.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 84.7% are cats.

Tennessee Animal Shelter Statistics

Tennessee houses 2.78% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 2.43% of shelter adoptions.

• 100 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 91,190 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 10.183 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 22,975 dogs and 991 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 912 animals each year.
• 9.3% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 51.3% are adopted; 8.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 30.6% face some other outcome.
• 56.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 14.6% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 44.9% of dogs are adopted; 6.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 34.2% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 43.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.5% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 59.5% of cats are adopted; 12.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 26.0% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 49.2% of adopted animals are dogs; 72.7% are cats.
• 88.3% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 11.7% are cats.
• 40.4% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 59.6% are cats.

Texas Animal Shelter Statistics

Texas houses 10.40% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 8.64% of shelter adoptions.

• 214 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 340,608 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 68,658 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 97,095 dogs and 68,980 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,592 animals each year.
• 9.2% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 48.8% are adopted; 8.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 34.0% face some other outcome.
• 61.2% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 13.9% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 46.6% of dogs are adopted; 6.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 33.1% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 38.8% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 52.2% of cats are adopted; 10.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 35.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 58.5% of adopted animals are dogs; 41.5% are cats.
• 92.0% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 8.0% are cats.
• 49.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 50.1% are cats.

Utah Animal Shelter Statistics

Utah houses 1.48% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 1.40% of shelter adoptions.

• 47 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 48,449 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 13,791 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 11,793 dogs and 15,192 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,031 animals each year.
• 14.1% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 55.7% are adopted; 8.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 21.3% face some other outcome.
• 45.3% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 27.7% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 53.7% of dogs are adopted; 9.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 9.2% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 54.7% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.8% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 57.3% of cats are adopted; 8.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 31.4% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 43.7% of adopted animals are dogs; 56.3% are cats.
• 88.9% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 11.1% are cats.
• 47.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 52.1% are cats.

Vermont Animal Shelter Statistics

Vermont houses 0.20% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.29% of shelter adoptions.

• 13 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 6,639 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 1,471 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 1,249 dogs and 4,345 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 511 animals each year.
• 6.2% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 84.3% are adopted; 6.9% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 2.7% face some other outcome.
• 24.0% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 14.6% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 78.5% of dogs are adopted; 8.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 76.0% of shelter animals are cats.
• 3.5% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 86.1% of cats are adopted; 6.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 4.1% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 22.3% of adopted animals are dogs; 77.7% are cats.
• 57.0% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 43.0% are cats.
• 29.8% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 70.2% are cats.

Virginia Animal Shelter Statistics

Virginia houses 2.65% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 3.36% of shelter adoptions.

• 96 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 86,686 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 40,111 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 30,159 dogs and 34,404 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 903 animals each year.
• 8.0% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 74.5% are adopted; 5.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 12.4% face some other outcome.
• 47.1% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 14.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 73.9% of dogs are adopted; 3.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 8.1% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 52.9% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.2% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 75.0% of cats are adopted; 6.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 16.2% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 46.7% of adopted animals are dogs; 53.3% are cats.
• 85.5% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 14.5% are cats.
• 32.3% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 67.7% are cats.

Virgin Islands Animal Shelter Statistics

The Virgin Islands house 0.08% of the nation’s shelter animals and are responsible for 0.03% of shelter adoptions.

• 1 animal welfare organization services the state.
• 2,481 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 8 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 462 dogs and 211 cats adopted in a year.
• 3.8% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 27.1% are adopted; 13.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 55.3% face some other outcome.
• 62.0% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 5.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 30.0% of dogs are adopted; 16.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 47.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 38.0% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.1% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 22.4% of cats are adopted; 8.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 67.8% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 68.8% of adopted animals are dogs; 31.4% are cats.
• 89.5% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 10.5% are cats.
• 75.9% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 24.1% are cats.

Washington Animal Shelter Statistics

Washington houses 2.48% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 2.89% of shelter adoptions.

• 67 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 81,382 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 17,020 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 16,099 dogs and 39,471 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,215 animals each year.
• 12.8% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 68.3% are adopted; 8.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 10.3% face some other outcome.
• 35.7% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 29.8% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 55.5% of dogs are adopted; 8.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 6.0% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 64.3% of shelter animals are cats.
• 3.4% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 75.4% of cats are adopted; 8.5% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 12.7% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 29.0% of adopted animals are dogs; 71.0% are cats.
• 82.8% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 17.2% are cats.
• 36.4% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 63.6% are cats.

West Virginia Animal Shelter Statistics

West Virginia houses 0.44% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.38% of shelter adoptions.

• 19 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 14,368 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 386 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 3,039 dogs and 4,185 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 756 animals each year.
• 7.4% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 50.3% are adopted; 9.2% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 33.1% face some other outcome.
• 48.3% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 14.1% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 43.8% of dogs are adopted; 3.4% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 38.7% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 51.7% of shelter animals are cats.
• 1.1% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 56.3% of cats are adopted; 14.7% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 27.9% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 42.1% of adopted animals are dogs; 57.9% are cats.
• 92.0% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 8.0% are cats.
• 18.0% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 82.0% are cats.

Wisconsin Animal Shelter Statistics

Wisconsin houses 2.10% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 2.61% of shelter adoptions.

• 63 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 68,854 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 14,558 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 16,622 dogs and 33,528 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 1,093 animals each year.
• 13.0% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 72.8% are adopted; 9.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 5.1% face some other outcome.
• 38.0% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 25.9% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 63.5% of dogs are adopted; 8.1% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 2.5% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 62.0% of shelter animals are cats.
• 5.2% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 78.6% of cats are adopted; 9.6% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 6.6% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 33.1% of adopted animals are dogs; 66.9% are cats.
• 75.5% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 24.5% are cats.
• 34.2% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 65.8% are cats.

Wyoming Animal Shelter Statistics

Wyoming houses 0.22% of the nation’s shelter animals and is responsible for 0.13% of shelter adoptions.

• 12 animal welfare organizations service the state.
• 7,203 animals entered shelters in 2020, including 1,252 transferred from other facilities.
• Shelters report 1,859 dogs and 2,407 cats adopted in a year.
• The average shelter houses 600 animals each year.
• 13.6% of animals are reunited with an owner.
• 33.4% are adopted; 3.8% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 49.1% face some other outcome.
• 45.3% of shelter animals are dogs.
• 26.5% of shelter dogs are eventually reunited with owners.
• 56.9% of dogs are adopted; 5.3% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 11.3% of shelter dogs face another outcome.
• 54.7% of shelter animals are cats.
• 2.9% of shelter cats are eventually reunited with owners.
• 61.1% of cats are adopted; 7.0% are euthanized or die in shelter care.
• 28.9% of shelter cats face another outcome.
• 77.2% of adopted animals are dogs; 22.8% are cats.
• 88.2% of animals reunited with owners are dogs; 11.8% are cats.
• 62.5% of euthanized and deceased animals are dogs; 37.5% are cats.

How Animal Shelters Benefit Communities

Veterinarians and similar animal specialists consider animal shelters an essential service in civilized society. Free-roaming animals spread illness and disease through their waste. More troublesome creatures can cause damage to property while vicious and feral animals may attack people.

• An estimated 140 million stray cats and dogs roam the streets nationwide.
• Stray cats outnumber shelter cats 22-to-1.
• At least 98% of stray cats are unsterilized.
• Theoretically, one unsterilized stray can produce tens of thousands of descendants in a few years.
• Realistically, one unsterilized stray may produce over a thousand descendants within a decade.
• 90% of all dogs born will spend their entire lives on the street.
• Animals living outdoors are prone to multiple diseases they then pass on to humans, including:
  • Ringworm
  • Rabies
  • Toxocariasis
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
  • Campylobacter Infection
  • Bartonella Infection

The First Animal Shelters

Animal shelters the modern sense have existed in the United States for over 150 years. The very first was founded by thirty women from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, spearheaded by Caroline Earle White. The organization still exists today under the name Women’s Animal Center.

• Early animal rights activists, including White, cited Britain’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) as influencing groups in the United States.
• Prior to 1800, cruelty to animals was not against the law anywhere in the Western world, except in cases where abuse constituted damage to property (the animal being property).
• The earliest known regulation is from 1821 and prohibited “cruelly beat[ing] any horse or cattle.”
• The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the precursor to American SPCAs, was founded in 1824.
• The first American shelter was founded in 1869 by White and other women who were barred from leadership roles in their local SPCAs; such positions were reserved for men only.
• Almost immediately, the women assumed the duties of Philadelphia’s city pound.
• Their influence would inspire the formation of the American Humane Association in 1877.
• White would go on to found the American Anti-Vivisection Society in 1893.

A Warning About Illegal Shelters

The ASPCA has reported an increase in recent years in the number of animal hoarders posing as rescue operations. Some people just have a lot of pets; animal hoarding is a serious psychological condition that is harmful to the animals as well as anyone living in the hoarder household.

• Cats are the most-hoarded animals, followed by dogs.
• Almost 100% of animal hoarders re-offend.
• 72% of animal hoarders are women.
• Hoarding affects an estimated 250,000 animals each year.
• Hoarding is characterized by several behaviors.
  • Neglect of the animals themselves (malnourished, filthy, ill, etc.)
  • Neglect of property and household maintenance (dried animal droppings, broken furniture, thick dust, extreme clutter, etc.)
  • Neglect of personal health and hygiene.
  • Denial or a lack of awareness about all of these problems.

If you suspect an animal shelter or rescue may be a case of animal hoarding, please contact your local humane society or city/county authorities.

Sources

1. Shelter Animals Count, The National Database: Dashboards
2. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fighting for the Dogs: Civil Forfeiture Speeds Recovery for Dogs Rescued From Fighting Rings
3. Shelter Intake and Surrender Statistics
4. HomeAgain Fact Sheet
5. Animal Sheltering: Pets by the Numbers
6. Cats in the United States Since 2000
7. Getting to Zero: A Roadmap to Ending Animal Shelter Overpopulation in the United States
8. Stopping Puppy Mills
9. Humane Society: Pets by the Numbers
10. American Anti-Vivisection Society: Cats
11. Facts About Cats
12. Black Dog Syndrome
13. Women’s Animal Center: Mission & History
14. Animal Shelter Dogs: Factors Predicting Adoption Versus Euthanasia
15. RSPCA: Our History
16. A Brief History of Dog Rescue: How People Started Saving Man’s Best Friend
17. Caroline Earle White
18. The Development of Anti-Cruelty Laws During the 1800s
19. Animal Hoarding
20. Animal Hoarding Facts
21. Trends in Intake and Outcome Data for a Large US Metropolitan Area, 1989 to 2010
22. No Kill Advocacy Center: Statistics
23. Most Wild Kittens Taken to Shelters Will Be Killed
24. What Kinds of Pets Get Adopted
25. SAFP: United States Facts and Figures
26. Table of State Holding Laws
27. Dog Shelter and Adoption Statistics
28. Michigan Becomes ‘No Kill’ State for Shelter Animals
29. 11 Facts About Animal Homelessness
30. What Influences a Dog’s Length of Stay at a No-Kill Animal Shelter?
31. Cat Adoption: Bonded Pairs
32. 13 Things You Might Not Know About Rabbits
33. PAWS: Puppies and Kittens
34. The Ultimate Guide to Pet Adoption: Pet Adoption Myths
35. 9 Animals You Didn’t Know You Could Adopt
36. Animal Shelters Have Housed Some Unusual Guests Over the Years
37. 10 Animals With Better Jobs Than You: Cheesecake the Capybara
38. Unusual Animals Up For Adoption After Ending Up in AL Shelters
39. FDA Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 650.100 Animal Drugs for Euthanasia
40. Caring for Orphaned Kittens
41. San Francisco Animal Care: Shelter Statistics
42. 10 Reasons Dogs and Cats Linger in Shelters
43. Infections that Pets Carry
44. Unmasking the Shelter Dog
45. Another Reason Not to Buy Puppies From Puppy Mills
46. Overview: Animal Euthanasia
47. Commercial Dog Racing in the United States
48. A Closer Look at Dogfighting
49. Animals Used in Research
50. Animal Testing and Experiments FAQ
51. Animals in Entertainment: Horse Racing
52. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Accredited Organizations
53. Brief Summary of Animal Euthanasia