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10 Shocking Australian Animal Shelter Statistics & Facts: Updated in 2024

Visnja Radosavljevic

By Visnja Radosavljevic

Australian Animal Shelter Statistics

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Over the last few years, Australia has experienced significant issues with animal overpopulation, which is why many pet shelters and adoption centers receive numerous animals throughout the year.

In fact, overpopulation is such a problem that in the Australian Capital Territory, it’s illegal to have your cat or dog unneutered unless you are a breeder with a registration.

While some animals get rescued, others need to be euthanized, which is why it’s crucial to help as many animals as possible. If you’d like to know more about animal shelters in Australia, check out our list of 10 shocking Australian animal shelter statistics & facts.

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The 10 Australian Animal Shelter Statistics

  1. In 2021 RSPCA shelters and adoption centers across Australia received 103,057 animals.
  2. In 2021 Australia’s animal welfare establishments had 55,922 animal cruelty complaints.
  3. Between 2019 and 2020, the RSPCA had to euthanize 9,714 cats and 3,466 dogs.
  4. Every year, municipal facilities and shelters across Australia admit over 200,000 surrendered and stray dogs; 20% of them are euthanized.
  5. In 2021, the RSPCA received 22,311 dogs, of which 73.9% were reunited with their old family or rehomed into new ones.
  6. In 2021, the RSPCA was taking care of 3,500 cats, which was an increase from 2020.
  7. The RSPCA has helped over 673,476 animals over the past 10 years by reuniting them with their families, releasing them into the wild, or rehoming them.
  8. Unfortunately, around 190,000 cats and dogs are left homeless annually, as they’re left unclaimed in Australian shelters and pounds.
  9. In a survey from 2021 39% of people said they adopted their pet from an animal shelter.
  10. In 2021, over 14,000 missing pets were reunited with their family through the RSPCA; out of all the animals, there were around 8,500 dogs and 2,500 cats.
AUSTRALIAN_ANIMAL_SHELTER_FACTS_&_STATISTICS
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General Australia Animal Shelter Statistics & Facts

1. In 2021 RSPCA shelters and adoption centers across Australia received 103,057 animals.

(RSPCA)

2021 was quite busy for RSPCA shelters and adoption centers across Australia, as they received 103,057 animals. Out of the animals received, the most common were dogs and cats, although there were other animal species as well, including:

  • 22,311 dogs
  • 42,572 cats
  • 348 horses
  • 3,029 livestock animals
  • 6,141 small animals (rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, mice, etc.)
  • 28,656 native and introduced wild animals (reptiles, kangaroos, possums, wombats)

This data represents a decrease from the last year when the number of animals RSPCA received was 112,530.

Puppy Mill Shelter Adoption
Image by: khlungcenter,Shutterstock

2. In 2021 the RSPCA investigated 55,922 animal cruelty complaints.

(RSPCA)

While animal establishments are supposed to be safe and care for the animals, it’s not uncommon for them to treat animals cruelly. In fact, in 2021, Australia’s animal facilities had 55,922 animal cruelty complaints. RSPCA has its mission to protect animals and prevent cruelty, which is why they actively promote protection and care. Because their main goal is to protect animals in all kinds of establishments, RSPCA frequently investigates animal facilities, including:

  • Shelters
  • Zoos
  • Aquariums
  • Kennels
  • Pounds
  • Riding schools
  • Guard dog firms
  • Abattoirs
  • Pet shops
  • Poultry farms
  • Tourist parks
  • Scientific establishments
cougar on a rock in a zoo
Image by: villagequirks, Pixabay

3. Between 2019 and 2020, the RSPCA had to euthanize 9,714 cats and 3,466 dogs.

(RSPCA)

While the primary goal of RSPCA is to protect animals, care for them and shelter them, not all animals have such good fates. Unfortunately, many animals need to be euthanized due to overpopulation and lack of housing. In 2019 and 2020, the RSPCA had to euthanize 9,714 cats and 3,466 dogs.

Animals that are not euthanized typically remain in the shelters, reunite with their old families, or relocate to a new family.

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Dog and Cat Animal Shelter Statistics

4. Every year, municipal facilities and shelters across Australia admit over 200,000 surrendered and stray dogs; 20% of them are euthanized.

(MDPI)

Most dogs that get admitted to shelters in Australia each year are surrendered and stray dogs. Annually, there are over 200,000 stray and surrendered dogs are admitted to the facilities. However, around 20% of these dogs are unfortunately euthanized. Out of all the dogs that get to shelters and municipal facilities, about 25% are puppies, 18% are dogs over 6 months old, and 92 % are crossbreed dogs. Most owner-surrendered dogs were left in shelters due to the lack of funding or space for the pet.

Girl volunteer in the nursery for dogs. Shelter for stray dogs
Image by: David Tadevosian, Shutterstock

5. In 2021, the RSPCA received 22,311 dogs, of which 73.9% were reunited with their old family or rehomed into new ones.

(RSPCA)

It’s undeniable that RSPCA helps and receives numerous animals; the number of dogs they received in 2021 was 22,311. The RSPCA goes all the way to help as many animals as possible, and their main goal is to get them home. Luckily, 73.9% of the dogs were reunited with their old family or rehomed into new ones. Although there are also dogs that get euthanized, that only happens when there’s no better option for the given dog, regardless of if it’s due to a health or behavioral issue.


6. In 2021, the RSPCA was taking care of 3,500 cats, which was an increase from 2020.

(STATISTA)

Most of the percentage of animals that RSPCA cares for are dogs and cats. In 2021, the RSPCA was taking care of 3,500 cats, an increase from 2020. The overall number of animals in the care of RSPCA was lower from 2018 to 2020, but it rose in 2021, and predictions state that it will also be high this year.

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Animal Outcomes

7. RSPCA has helped over 673,476 animals over the past 10 years by reuniting them with their families, releasing them into the wild, or rehoming them.

(RSPCA)

The main goal of the RSPCA is to reunite animals with their families, find them new homes, or release them into the wilderness. Luckily, they’re succeeding in their purpose, as the RSPCA has helped over 673,476 animals over the past 10 years. Unfortunately, many animals are still left unclaimed in shelters and pounds, and some have to get euthanized. However, the number of euthanizations is dropping, so hopefully, more animals will find a home in Australia instead of being euthanized.

dog in shelter
Image by: marcinm111, Shutterstock

8. Unfortunately, around 190,000 cats and dogs are left homeless annually, as they’re left unclaimed in Australian shelters and pounds.

(Pet Rescue)

Unfortunately, despite RSPCA efforts, around 190,000 cats and dogs are left homeless annually, as they’re left unclaimed in Australian shelters and pounds. Many owners don’t return for their pets because they lack funds or the space or have another pet. Although many people in Australia decide on animal adoption and therefore help these animals, many still don’t get a chance to find a home.


9. In a survey from 2021 39% of people said they adopted their pet from an animal shelter.

(STATISTA)

In a survey from 2021 regarding acquiring pets, 39% of people responded they adopted their pet from an animal shelter. Although that’s a decent number, 61% of people still buy pets from breeders and pet shops.

Girl volunteer in the nursery for dogs. Shelter for stray dogs
Image by: David Tadevosian, Shutterstock

10. In 2021, over 14,000 missing pets were reunited with their family through the RSPCA; including around 8,500 dogs and 2,500 cats.

(STATISTA)

RSPCA loves to help missing pets, and in 2021, over 14,000 missing pets were reunited with their family through the RSPCA. Out of all the animals, there were around 8,500 dogs and 2,500 cats. These numbers are slightly lower than in past years, but if they remain stable, many of the missing pets will go back to their old home. That would decrease the overpopulation issue in shelters and adoption centers.

hepper-single-cat-paw-divider-e1614923017121Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Shelters

Are There Kill Shelters in Australia?

Most of the shelters in Australia are against killing animals. The RSPCA strongly believes every animal deserves a home, so they don’t euthanize animals unless absolutely necessary due to health or behavioral problems.

(RSPCA)

Stray puppies Puppy Mill Shelter
Image by: Yashkin Ilya, Shutterstock

What’s the Main Reason for Animal Overpopulation in Australia?

One of the main reasons for the overpopulation of animals in Australia is the fact people don’t neuter their animals. However, such an action is required in countries like Australia to control the number of abandoned and stray animals.

hepper-cat-paw-dividerConclusion

Australian animal shelters and adoption centers are overcrowded as they receive many animals every year. The RSPCA and other animal welfare organizations are doing their best to help all animals and get them a new home or reunite them with their old family. However, as a last resort, some animals need to be euthanized due to diseases and behavioral problems that can’t be resolved.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

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