Pet Adoption Statistics – Animal Surrender And Shelter Intake

Every year, over 6.5 million dogs and cats, and other household pets are surrendered to animal shelters. Sadly, just over 4 million find a home every year, leaving an ever-increasing number of animals in the shelter population.

I have been involved in animal fostering since I was a child. My bedroom was frequently used as a sanctuary for pregnant cats who could not go into the cattery we had built in the garden.

I have seen firsthand the level of work and sheer depth of requirements needed to run a charity.

Animal shelters often run on a bare-bones system with just enough to scrape by. The following collection of pet adoption statistics attempts to paint an accurate picture of the state of the pet adoption system as it currently stands.

Pet Adoption Statistics

Below are fourteen amazing pet adoption statistics.

In 2023 6.5 Million Animals Enter US Animal Shelters (SAC)

During the year 2023, the compassionate dedication of animal shelters and rescue groups was apparent as they sheltered over 6.5 million animals, including roughly 3.3 million cats and 3.2 million dogs in need of care and assistance.

Approximately 4.8 Million Cats and Dogs Are Adopted Annually (SAC)

According to collected records from the SAC and Humane Society, between 2.2 (56% of total intake)  and 2.6 million (65% of total intake) dogs and cats are adopted annually in the United States.

The Number of Cats Adopted from Animal Shelters Decreased from 2019-2020 (The Humane Society)

There was a decrease in the number of cats adopted from animal shelters during 2019-2020. In October 2020, cat adoptions were down 11% from previous years.

However, it must be remembered that these numbers are from the peak season of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many institutions and shelters were closed, or people refrained from socializing due to various social distancing requirements.

Black Cats Are Least Adopted as Compared to Other Cats (Saint Scroll)

According to a pet adoption statistics study, black cats spend 40% longer in shelters. Additionally, the majority of cats euthanized are black cats.

Sadly, there has long been a stigmasurrounding black cats. From tales of superstition and bad luck to witchcraft. These folktales have made people wary of offering black cats a home.

Mostly Kittens Are Adopted from Shelters (ASPCA)

There is a heavy slant in favor of kittens regarding the likelihood of cats being adopted.

The study reported that over 81% of kittens in animal shelters are adopted, compared to just 54% of senior cats.

40% of the Dogs and 43% of Cats Are Adopted from Animal Shelters (Humane Society)

According to pet adoption statistics published by the Humane Society, almost half of all dogs and cats owned in the US come from shelters.

The study reported that 40% of all dogs and 43% of all cats are adopted pets.

4% of the Dogs and 24% of the Cats Are Taken in as Strays (APPA)

Results of an APPA survey revealed that just 4% of shelter dogs are taken in as strays, compared to 24% of cats.

Given that many cats wander around their neighborhood and have the freedom not afforded to dogs, it is understandable that more cats are found as strays. Regardless, it still means that 1 in 4 owned cats effectively run away from home each year.

25% of the Dogs and 26% of the Cats Are Adopted from Friends or Relatives (Frontiers)

As per a pet adoption statistics paper, a quarter of all adopted dogs and cats do not go through shelters but via family and friends.

A driving reason behind these numbers is the knowledge that the shelter system is overstretched, and people would rather take in another or a new pet than risk them being euthanized in a shelter.

10% of Dogs and 9% of Cats Are Purchased from Pet Stores (NCBI)

It was recorded that 10% of dogs and 9% of cats were purchased through a pet store. The paper also reported that just 13% of dogs and 17% of cats were adopted through shelters.

Many pets are adopted through unreported means, such as between family and friends.

4% of the Dogs and 3% of the Cats Are Received as Gifts (Humane Society)

Pet adoption statistics show that a small but still alarming number of dogs and cats are given or received as gifts.

4% of dogs and 3% of cats are received as gifts every year. While gifting a pet may seem like a lovely idea, it can backfire quickly if the recipient is neither prepared for nor interested in pet ownership.

Approximately 810,000 Animals Entering Shelters Are Returned Back to Their Owners (ASPCA)

Out of the more than 6 million animals that enter shelters each year, 810,000 are eventually reunited with their original owners.

This accounts for instances where people have ‘rescued’ what they believed to be a lost animal or those that have run away from home or gotten lost following a move to a new neighborhood.

From 2019-2020, the Number of Dogs Adopted from Animal Shelters Decreased (NCBI)

A report published by NCBI confirmed that fewer dogs were adopted during the 2019-2020 Covid pandemic.

While social distancing restrictions and a more complicated adoption process surely played a part, another aspect that has been reported is that over the same period, there was a sharp decrease in the number of animals surrendered to shelters.

During 2020, there were 23% fewer pet surrenders, as people found comfort during isolation by sharing their homes with their pets.

The Rate of Puppy Adoption Is Higher than Adult Dogs (ASPCA)

The rate of adoption is far higher in puppies than in older adult dogs.

Puppies have a 60% adoption rate, while older dog breeds have a rate as low as 25%. People often overlook adult dogs due to possible health conditions and engrained behaviors. However, even older dogs deserve a loving home.