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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Pet adoptions continue to be an area of interest and concern in the pet world as we’re experiencing post-pandemic life. Some of the main concerns have been a rise in the number of surrendered pets and animal shelters and rescues being overwhelmed with new animal intakes.
While we have seen a slight rise in animal intakes, we’ve also seen a rise in some animal adoptions and an increase in positive perceptions of pet adoptions. Being knowledgeable about pet adoption trends can help us better advocate for shelter animals and support community animal shelters as they care for houseless pets.
The 18 Pet Adoption Statistics
- In 2023, US animal shelters and rescues received about 6.5 million cats and dogs.
- Cat and dog adoption rates increased from 56% in 2019 to 61% in 2023.
- 81% of animals entering US shelters were saved.
- In 2023, New Hampshire had the highest animal live outcome rate of 93.1%.
- Stray dogs made up about 54% of dog intakes in 2022.
- Senior dogs have a 25% adoption rate.
- The number of no-kill shelters increased from 24% in 2016 to 57% in 2022.
- Dogs that have had short-term foster stays are 14 times more likely to get adopted.
- Only about 12% of dogs that have had overnight stays with fosters get adopted by the foster family.
- The average adoption fees for cats and dogs range from $255 to $414.
- Initial one-time costs for adopting a pet range from $370 to $970.
- It costs about $5,000 to $10,000 to start an animal rescue group.
- A survey completed by Drive Research found that 44% of people prefer adopting pets from an animal shelter or rescue.
- 88% of people choose to adopt pets because they want to save animals.
- 31% of pet owners choose not to adopt another pet after their pet dies.
- Human Animal Support Services shelters found that nuisance behaviors are a primary reason for animals being returned to their shelters.
- 37% of animal returns occur within 7 days after the pet adoption.
- 96% of Americans believe it is our moral duty to protect animals and support strong animal welfare laws.
Pet Adoption Intakes and Trends
1. In 2023, US animal shelters and rescues received about 6.5 million cats and dogs.
(Shelter Animals Count)
2023 saw a slight 0.2% increase from 2022 in animals entering shelters and rescues. While the number of animals entering shelters in 2023 is higher than the number in 2021, it’s still a 3.2% decrease from 2019. Of the 6.5 million animals that entered shelters in 2023, 3.3 million of them were cats, while 3.2 million of them were dogs.
2. Cat and dog adoption rates increased from 56% in 2019 to 61% in 2023.
(Shelter Animals Count)
2023 also saw an increase in pet adoptions. Dog adoptions have seen small dips and rises since 2019, but cat adoptions have seen a small, steady rise over the past several years. 59% of cat intakes led to adoptions in 2019, and the percentage of cat adoptions increased to 65% in 2023.
3. 81% of animals entering US shelters were saved.
(Best Friends Animal Society)
The majority of animals entering US shelters had a live outcome. However, about 378,000 cats and dogs were euthanized. Shelter animal euthanasia occurs in concentrated areas, with nearly half of all cases occurring in five states and primarily in large municipal shelters.
4. In 2023, New Hampshire had the highest animal live outcome rate of 93.1%.
(Shelter Animals Count)
New Hampshire is considered to be a no-kill state and has the highest live outcome rate in the US. North Dakota, Maine, Delaware, and Vermont also have high live outcome rates. New Mexico has the highest non-live outcome rate of 21.3%. Alabama, Oklahoma, and California are also among the states with the highest non-live outcome rates.
5. Stray dogs made up about 54% of dog intakes in 2022.
(Best Friends Animal Society)
Dog intakes have risen since 2020. In 2020, there were about 2 million dog intakes. In 2021, there were about 2.1 million intakes, and there were 2.2 million intakes in 2022. Even though many people worried that there would be an increase of surrendered pets after the pandemic, owner surrenders weren’t strong contributors to the rise in dog intakes.
6. Senior dogs have a 25% adoption rate.
(ASPCA)
Senior dogs have among the lowest adoption rates. Puppies and younger dogs have a 60% adoption rate, while senior dogs have a 25% adoption rate. In many cases, older dogs are more well-suited for people, especially since raising a puppy is a significant, time-consuming responsibility. Older shelter dogs usually have some basic training, and they tend to settle into homes more quickly and easily than younger pets.
7. The number of no-kill shelters increased from 24% in 2016 to 57% in 2022.
(Best Friends Animal Society)
The number of no-kill shelters in the US nearly doubled from 2016 to 2022. 93% of no-kill shelters in 2021 were able to sustain themselves through 2022. Most people support no-kill shelters, with 85% of adults believing it’s important to have them in their communities.
Fostering Pets
8. Dogs that have had short-term foster stays are 14 times more likely to get adopted.
(MDPI)
Fostering pets is a viable way to support shelter animals by clearing up space at animal shelters and providing socialization opportunities for them. Even short-term stays that only last one or two days are beneficial, and they boost a dog’s adoptability and chances of getting adopted. This is because being with a human companion can reduce a shelter dog’s stress levels significantly.
9. Only about 12% of dogs that have had overnight stays with fosters get adopted by the foster family.
(MDPI)
While foster care offers significant benefits, it doesn’t seem to increase adoption rates within pet foster families. Only a small portion of foster dogs end up getting adopted by their foster families. So, it’s still important to focus on increasing and improving successful adoption rates and live outcomes.
Pet Adoption Costs
10. The average adoption fees for cats and dogs range from $255 to $414.
(Animal Humane Society)
Pet adoptions tend to be much cheaper than purchasing a pet from a pet store or breeder. While it can cost over $1,000 to buy a purebred dog, most animal rescues will have adoption fees that cost less than $300. Puppies and kittens usually have higher adoption fees, while adults and senior pets have lower fees. Adoption fees usually help pay for administrative costs, veterinary care, and facility maintenance.
11. Initial one-time costs for adopting a pet range from $370 to $970.
(US News)
It’s important to consider that the initial costs of bringing home a new pet can be relatively expensive. Most people will have to purchase new pet furniture, food, and toys. A significant amount of initial costs will also go into veterinary care, as new pets require a thorough physical exam and may need to undergo a vaccine schedule that lasts for several months.
12. It costs about $5,000 to $10,000 to start an animal rescue group.
(The Humane Society)
Starting an animal rescue group can help reduce the burden of stray animal populations for community animal shelters. The majority of start-up costs will go into cages, blankets, bowls, toys, litter boxes, veterinary funds, and food. Most animal rescue groups will receive funding through grants and donations, so it’s important to have a strong marketing and fundraising arm when starting an animal rescue group.
Attitudes Toward Pet Adoption
13. A survey completed by Drive Research found that 44% of people prefer adopting pets from an animal shelter or rescue.
(Drive Research)
Pet adoptions have an extremely positive perception, and the majority of people will choose to adopt over buying a pet from a breeder or pet store. 21% of people prefer to bring home a pet from a pet store, and 17% prefer to find a breeder. A common reason for buying a pet from a pet store or breeder is that it can be challenging to find a specific purebred dog at an animal shelter.
14. 88% of people choose to adopt pets because they want to save animals.
(Drive Research)
The main reason why people choose to adopt pets rather than buy from a pet store or breeder is to save animals. 53% of people prefer to adopt in order to reduce pet overpopulation in shelters. 38% of people will adopt from an animal shelter because they don’t want to support mass breeding facilities, and 37% will choose to adopt because it’s more affordable.
15. 31% of pet owners choose not to adopt another pet after their pet dies.
(APPA)
One of the main reasons why people won’t adopt a pet is because of their experience with a previous pet dying. The experience can cause significant emotional stress and can make people think twice before caring for another pet. Other common reasons why people won’t adopt a pet are because they travel frequently, believe it’s too much responsibility, and don’t have enough time to take care of a pet.
16. Human Animal Support Services shelters found that nuisance behaviors are a primary reason for animals being returned to their shelters.
(HASS)
A HASS survey found that about 20% of animals are returned to shelters due to owner preferences, such as the animal not being a good fit for the family. About 16% of animals are returned due to behavioral issues. Of the dogs that are returned, 19% are returned due to nuisance behaviors, and 8% of returned cats are returned due to nuisance behaviors.
17. 37% of animal returns occur within 7 days after the pet adoption.
(HASS)
The majority of animals returned to shelters will be returned within the week that they’re initially adopted. 29% of returned animals are returned within 8 to 30 days. The median number of days it takes for animals to be returned is 3 days. It’s possible that implementing more comprehensive and proactive post-adoption support can help reduce the animal return rates.
18. 96% of Americans believe it is our moral duty to protect animals and support strong animal welfare laws.
(No-Kill Advocacy Center)
Even though there’s much room for improvement in animal welfare laws, there’s a hopeful outlook on positive changes due to public opinion. The majority of community members believe that humans bear some amount of responsibility for protecting stray animals in their communities. This makes public opinion a viable factor that supports animal rights activists as they advocate for stronger animal welfare laws.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Adoption
What dog breeds are most commonly found in animal shelters?
You’ll typically find mixed-breed dogs in animal shelters. Many dogs will have Labrador Retriever or terrier in their ancestry. It’s also common to find Pit Bulls and Pit Bull mixes in animal shelters. Pit Bulls are often found in animal shelters due to the negative stereotypes that are associated with them.
What does the pet adoption process look like?
Most animal shelters and rescues follow similar adoption processes. You’ll have to submit an adoption application that typically requests basic contact information and your experience with pets. Some applications may require references who can vouch for your ability to care for pets.
Once your application is approved, you can see the animal shelter’s adoptable pets. You can submit a request to adopt a specific animal, or some shelters can help you find an animal that is most compatible with your lifestyle. You will be able to meet potential pets, and once you find a pet that you want to adopt, you’ll have to wait for the animal shelter to approve your request. After you pay an adoption fee, you will be able to schedule when your pet can arrive home.
Why is 90% the benchmark for no-kill shelters?
Animal shelters are considered to be no-kill when they have a save rate that is 90% or higher. This 90% benchmark comes from the idea that about 10% of animals that enter shelters are suffering from irreversible medical or behavioral issues that prevent them from getting rehomed. Most advocates for no-kill shelters believe that rather than focusing on the 90% benchmark, it’s more important to consider how to support no-kill shelters and help them continue to sustain themselves.
What are the benefits of fostering pets?
Animals, shelters, and pet foster families can all benefit from fostering animals. Fostering animals can help families prepare to add pets to their homes by giving them a realistic experience of what it would be like to live with a new pet. Foster animals can receive socialization opportunities and individualized attention. Fostering also benefits animal shelters by opening up space in their facilities and lessening the number of animals their staff needs to care for.
Conclusion
Pet adoptions continue to face significant concerns as animal shelters and rescues continue to face high animal intake rates. Fortunately, more and more people are choosing to adopt pets rather than acquire them from pet shops and breeders. We’re also seeing more cats getting adopted by American households. Continued education and raising awareness can help continue the increase of positive perceptions of pet adoptions, increase the number of no-kill shelters, and improve animal welfare laws.
Featured Image Credit: Wpadington, Shutterstock
