By the Numbers: The State of U.S. Animal Sheltering
From 3 million cats and 2.8 million dogs entering facilities to 30% of intakes coming from owner surrenders, the latest data from Shelter Animals Count (SAC) paint a nuanced picture of pressures and progress in shelters and rescues.
2.1%
In 2025, dog and cat community intakes totaled 2.1% less than in 2024, SAC reported, representing 121,000 fewer animals that entered shelters. In 2025, community intakes continued to be driven primarily by stray animals, which made up 59% of all dog and cat intakes nationwide, a slight decrease from 60% in 2024.
4.2 million
Here’s some good news. Of the animals in shelters and rescues in 2025, 4.2 million were reportedly adopted into homes. Adoption patterns varied by species in 2025, with dogs most often adopted through rescues (32%) and government shelters (31%). Cat adoptions were more evenly distributed, with private shelters seeing the highest proportion at 27%, followed by rescues (26%), shelters with contracts (23%), and government shelters (24%), highlighting a broader spread of adoption activity across organization types for cats.
597,000
A total of 597,000 animals (320,000 dogs and 277,000 cats) were euthanized in 2025.
5.8 Million
SAC, the national database for animal sheltering statistics and a program of The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), released its 2025 Annual Data Report, offering a comprehensive look at trends in animal sheltering across the United States.
In 2025, Shelter Animals Count estimates that 5.8 million cats and dogs entered shelters and rescues across the country. Of that sum, 3 million were cats and 2.8 million were dogs.
30%
Owner relinquishments/surrenders increased slightly to 30% (compared to 29% in 2024), and animals entering through other pathways remained consistent with 2024 with 11% of community intakes.
You can download the full report from SAC for more on the state of animal sheltering in the U. S.
Image Credit:
istockphoto.com/FabrikaCr
