U.S. Animal Shelter Statistics

The Issue

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Many shelters across the country are full, and animals, especially dogs, are often staying longer in their care before being adopted. This is creating a surplus of animals, and without enough adoptions, many shelters are struggling to meet the needs of animals in their communities. Shelters need support to reduce the length of time animals are staying in their care and to remove the barriers that prevent many people from adopting.

2024 Animal Shelter Statistics*

5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2024, down only slightly from the year before. The number of dogs and cats entering shelters and rescues last year is evenly split, with both populations contributing to the overall slight decline in shelter intake.
The length of time dogs, especially large dogs, are staying in shelters before being adopted has increased in the last 5 years, adding strain to an already overburdened shelter system. This extended length of time animals are staying in shelters contributes to the ongoing capacity crisis, limiting space for new animals.
4.2 million shelter animals were adopted into loving homes in 2024, approximately the same number of animals adopted as the year before. Unfortunately, not enough animals were adopted to significantly reduce the number of dogs and cats in shelters nationwide.
Approximately 607,000 animals were euthanized in shelters in 2024, decreasing by approximately 2% compared to 2023. In the past five years, euthanasia rates have dropped from 13% in 2019 to 8% in 2024.
Approximately 2 million dogs were adopted in 2024, 554,000 were returned to their owner, 334,000 were euthanized, and 524,000 were transferred to other organizations.
Approximately 2.2 million cats were adopted in 2024, 362,000 were returned to their owner or the field, 273,000 were euthanized, and 369,000 were transferred to other organizations.

Are there more animals in shelters now compared to previous years?

While the number of animals entering shelters has declined slightly since 2023, many shelters still have too many animals and not enough adoptions. With more animals staying longer in shelters, and multiple other factors converging simultaneously such as staffing and veterinarian shortages, as well as an increasing proportion of animals with greater medical and behavioral needs, many shelters continue to face an ongoing capacity crisis.

Where do most animals in shelters come from?

Although animals enter shelters for a variety of reasons, most dogs and cats entering shelters come in as strays (60% in 2024), followed by surrendered pets (29% in 2024) whose owners can no longer care for them due to unforeseen barriers.

Are fewer people adopting shelter animals?

The total number of dogs and cats adopted in 2024 is about the same as it was in 2023. Unfortunately, not enough animals are being adopted to significantly reduce the number of dogs and cats in shelters nationwide. The ASPCA is committed to helping shelters remove the barriers that prevent many families from adopting new pets, including a lack of access to pet-friendly housing and affordable veterinary care.

How is the ASPCA helping animal shelters and rescues across the country?

The ASPCA is proud to partner with hundreds of shelters and rescues across the country to help homeless dogs and cats through animal relocation, professional training, sharing vital resources, and legislative advocacy, and we ask the public to join us in continuing to support shelters and rescues by adopting, fostering, volunteering, and urging their elected officials to adequately fund this vital public service.

With many shelters across the country seeing increasing proportions of animals with medical and behavioral challenges who require more intensive resources and support, the ASPCA is pioneering behavioral rehabilitation programs and enabling more shelters and rescues to treat behaviorally challenged animals to give them the best chance of finding a loving home. We also work directly with shelters to improve the health and welfare of homeless animals in communities by strengthening local shelter medicine programs and providing remote and on-site consultations. In addition, ASPCA training programs equip animal behavior, shelter and veterinary professionals with the tools, practices, and guidance they need to give animals the best chances to live happy, healthy lives in loving homes. Read more about our collaborations with shelters.

"With so many shelters struggling to find homes for the animals in their care, animal welfare organizations and their communities need to continue working together to keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters while also removing the barriers that prevent many people from adopting. This includes finding ways to increase access to veterinary care and advocating for pet-friendly housing policies," said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO.

Members of the media requesting information on national animal sheltering trends should contact the ASPCA Media & Communications team.

*These figures come from 2024 Shelter Animals Count data. These are national estimates based on full-year data obtained from shelters and rescues; the figures may vary from state to state.