Pet Statistics
- 1. FACTS - Pet Ownership
- 2. Facts About Animal Sheltering
- 3. Show Your Impact - Why Shelters Should Keep Statistics
- 4. Estimation of Dogs and Cats in NYC and Long Island (Including formula to estimate numbers in your re
- 5. Making Sense of Euthanasia Statistics
- 6. How Keeping Statistics Can Help You
- 7. Companion Animal Populations - Historical Context and Future Directions
Facts About Animal Sheltering
ASPCA
FACTS ABOUT ANIMAL SHELTERING
Across the United States, volunteers and staff in animal shelters and animal control facilities see the results of irresponsible pet ownership and dog and cat overpopulation every day. However, there is very little reliable data available to illustrate this issue on a national level. The following figures were gleaned from independent random studies and the best estimates by experts in the animal welfare and related fields. These should be considered ballpark figures only. Most of the studies were national and there is tremendous variation by region.
There are about 5000 community animal shelters nationwide that are independent; there is no national organization monitoring these shelters. The phrases "humane society" and "SPCA" are generic terms; shelters using those names are not part of the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA. Currently, no government institution or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection movement.
2002
Figures
Animal Shelters
- Approximately 8-12 million companion animals enter animal
shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5-9 million
are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats). Shelter intakes
are about evenly divided between those relinquished by owners
and those picked up by animal control. These are national
estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to
state.
- Less than 2 percent of cats and only 15-20% of dogs are
returned to their owners.* Most of these were identified with
tags, tattoos or microchips.
- 25% of dogs that enter local shelters are
purebred.*
- Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. 75% of owned pets are neutered.
Pet
Overpopulation
- The average number of litters a fertile cat produces is one
to two a year; average number of kittens in litters is
4-6.
- The average number of litters a fertile dog produces is one
a year; average number of puppies is 4-6.
- It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats
live in the US; estimates for cats alone range up to 70
million.
- Owned cats and dogs generally live longer, healthier lives
than strays.
- Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
Pet Ownership
- About 60% of all households in the United States have a
pet.+
- About 60 million dogs and about 75 million cats are owned
in the United States.++
- About 65% of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low
cost. *
- The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and
family members. 15 - 20% of dogs are purchased from breeders,
10 - 20% of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and
rescues, and 2 - 10% are purchased from pet
shops.+++
- At least 20% of cats are acquired as
strays.*
- Over 20% of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them
from a shelter.*
- The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the
cost of raising puppies or kittens for one
year.
- The average cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or cat is $400 to $700 annually.
All data are
ASPCA estimates unless otherwise indicated.
* Source: The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy
(NCPPSP).
+ Source: American Veterinary Medical Association.
++ Source: The Pet Food Institute.
+++ Source: Ralston Purina and NCPPSP.
© 2003 ASPCA
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