Overview of Shelter Statistics in the US
- In 2021, about 355,000 dogs and cats were killed in American shelters, up 8,000 from 2020.
- The number of healthy and treatable animals killed decreased 15% compared to 2018, from 732,797 to 625,400.
- The save rate is 83%, and half of shelters are "no-kill."
- California shelters were responsible for the most killings, taking about 715,000 cats and dogs yearly.
Shelter Types and Euthanasia Statistics
- Municipal (kill) shelters and no-kill shelters are the two main types in the US with a total of 3,500 shelters.
- No-kill shelters attempt to save 9 out of 10 pets, but cats are killed more frequently than dogs.
- Approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized annually, with 390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats euthanized in total.
Reasons for Surrendering Pets and Other Statistics
- The top reasons for relinquishment are moving, landlords not allowing pets, having too many animals, and the costs associated.
- Many kittens are born during kitten season, but shelters often lack resources to care for them.
Historical Perspective and Future Goals
- The number of animals euthanized in shelters has significantly declined since the 1960s when euthanasia rates were much higher.
- Efforts are ongoing to reach a no-kill status nationwide by 2025.