Statistics

There are roughly two million dogs and cats killed in U.S. shelters annually because they lack a home, but as many as 30 million Americans add a new animal to their households every year. We do not have a “pet overpopulation” problem; we have a market share challenge. When shelters compete for the market share of homes and keep animals alive long enough to find those homes, shelter animals are saved rather than killed.

• ​About six million animals enter shelters every year.
• Approximately 1.5 million animals are killed.
• Roughly 30 million acquire a new companion animal every year.
• Less than 1% of shelter animals are irremediably suffering.
• Over one million people live in communities saving between 98% and 99% of dogs and cats in their shelters (over two million saving at least 98% of dogs).
• Over 10 million people live in communities saving between 90% and 99% of dogs and cats in their shelters. 
• Over 50 million people live in communities saving at least 80% of dogs and cats in their shelters.

For individual community statistics, click here.

Other Statistics

​How much do we love our animal companions? Let us count the ways:

• Americans spent $72.5 billion on them last year.
• Americans will spend $100 billion in the next few years.
• Vet care is second only to daily essentials in overall spending.
• Spending on companion animals is growing 50% faster than the overall retail economy.
• 65% of households have an animal companion, a rate that is growing.
• The percentage of animals acquired from shelters and rescue groups is growing.
• The number of communities with breed discriminatory legislation is declining and the last statewide ban was repealed.
• 81% consider their animal companions "surrogate children."
• The senior animal is the fastest growing segment of the pet population.
• Three out of four people say it should be illegal to kill animals if the animals are healthy or treatable.
• New veterinary techniques and treatments are being driven by a population willing to spend anything and do anything for the animals that they love.
• The number of communities saving over 95% of the animals in their tax-funded shelters is growing. For example, over 50 of Michigan 80 sheltered communities save at least 90%. Consequently, the number killed is declining.
• 96% of Americans say we have a moral duty to protect animals and should have strong laws to do so.