There are several organizations that research and publish animal shelter statistics. The ASPCA, HSUS, NPR, and PETA, to name a few. The numbers, however, can never be accurately reported. The real truth about dog shelter statistics is difficult to get to.
The American Humane Association has reported that euthanasia data are difficult to obtain, due to the fact that animal agencies are not required to keep statistics on the number of animals that are taken in, adopted or killed.
In fact, the ASPCA includes the following statement on their shelter-statistics page, ‘These estimates are based in part on Shelter Animals Count data and other known and estimated sources, 2015-2018’.
How Do Dogs End Up In Shelters?
The most common reason that animals are being collected and taken into municipal shelters is because they are strays.
Dogs who were taken to shelters by their owners were surrendered for the following reasons:
- Owners moving
- Landlord not allowing pet
- Too many animals in household
- Cost of pet maintenance
- Owner having personal problems
- Inadequate facilities
- No homes available for litter mates
- Owner having no time for pet
- Pet illness(es)
- Biting
Can I Drop My Dog Off at The Shelter?
Unfortunately this is a question which is common. For most people I’m sure it is a heart-wrenching decision. The simple answer is yes, you can take your dog to a shelter, but they are busy, overcrowded places so may be unable to take them immediately.
How Many Dogs Are Euthanized in Shelters?
As already stated, the data are difficult to obtain. There is no statutory requirement for Shelter and Rescue organizations to provide information regarding animals in their care.
A study carried out by PEEVA in 2019, estimates the number of pets euthanized in U.S. shelters every year to be between 9.4 to 9.6 million.
This is a hugely different number to the toll of 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats reported by the ASPCA.
Best Friends Animal Society reports the five states in which the most animals are being killed are:
- California (100,239)
- Texas (96,707)
- North Carolina (47,652)
- Florida (45,503)
- Louisiana (32,150)
Collectively, these states account for 52% of the animals killed in U.S. shelters during 2019.
Delaware is the only state which has a 100% no-kill policy.
Shelters which are termed ‘no-kill’, are not actually saving 100% of dogs in their care. But they are committed to saving 90% of the animals they take in. There are currently 2278 no-kill shelters in the U.S.
How Are Animals Euthanized In Shelters?
Most shelters in the US practice humane euthanasia which is a lethal injection of Pentobarbital.
There are four states, Ohio, Wyoming, Missouri and Utah, that are known to still actively use gas chambers in animal shelters. This is a situation which The Humane Society of America is hoping to change. For more information on this, visit humanesociety.org/gaschambers.
How Do I Find a New Home For My Dog?
If at all possible, you could consider re-homing your dog yourself. At least then they have a chance of a happy life, with someone you have deemed worthy of having a dog. REHOME is a fabulous organization where you can put your hound’s details in and search for potential adopters.
How Do I Adopt A Dog?
If you are serious about giving a dog a second chance and providing a loving home for them, please read this guide, which takes you through every step of the process. These are just some of the questions to ask yourself before you even get to the shelter.
- Do I really want a dog?
- What kind of dog will fit in with my lifestyle?
- What can I offer a dog?
- What type of dog will suit the whole family?
- Can I make time for a dog?
- Is it better to adopt from a shelter or rescue?
- Is it better to adopt or buy a dog?
These are important considerations because you need to set yourself up for success, both for you, and your new dog.
2021 State Number of Shelter and Rescue Organizations
- Arizona 225
- Arkansas 108
- California 1158
- Colorado 175
- Connecticut 188
- Delaware 26
- Florida 583
- Georgia 294
- Hawaii 11
- Idaho 56
- Illinois 331
- Indiana 242
- Iowa 102
- Kansas 97
- Kentucky 150
- Louisiana 122
- Maine 54
- Maryland 176
- Massachusetts 157
- Michigan 357
- Minnesota 186
- Mississippi 70
- Missouri 222
- Montana 31
- Nebraska 69
- Nevada 63
- New Hampshire 52
- New Jersey 392
- New Mexico 62
- New York 331
- North Carolina 411
- North Dakota 18
- Ohio 468
- Oklahoma 145
- Oregon 142
- Pennsylvania 195
- Rhode Island 43
- South Carolina 159
- South Dakota 15
- Tennessee 275
- Texas 871
- Utah 66
- Vermont 39
- Virginia 241
- Washington 218
- West Virginia 63
- Wisconsin 186
- Wyoming 35
- Washington DC 8
Reported Numbers of Dogs Killed By State Shelters in 2019
- California 100239
- Texas 96707
- North Carolina 47652
- Florida 45503
- Louisiana 32150
- Georgia 29245
- Alabama 23695
- Oklahoma 18390
- Hawaii 14730
- Michigan 14419
- Virginia 13169
- Kentucky 12197
- Arkansas 11417
- Illinois 11393
- Indiana 11015
- South Carolina 10911
- Tennessee 10882
- New Mexico 10692
- Mississippi 9186
- Maryland 9172
- Arizona 8783
- Pennsylvania 8181
- Ohio 7322
- Missouri 6491
- West Virginia 5966
- New York 4056
- New Jersey 5467
- Colorado 5144
- Kansas 4656
- Nevada 4164
- Minnesota 4005
- Wisconsin 3976
- Nebraska 3560
- Washington 3186
- Idaho 3117
- Massachusetts 2780
- Iowa 2040
- Utah 1990
- South Dakota 1810
- Oregon 1775
- Alaska 1117
- Wyoming 891
- Washington DC 703
- Montana 486
- Maine 293
- Connecticut 232
- New Hampshire 159
- North Dakota 148
- Rhode Island 86
- Vermont 52
- Delaware 0
TOTAL = 625400
How Can You Help?
Best Friends Animal Society aims to have 100% no-kill shelters by 2025. Animal shelters can only operate within their budgets, but communities can help by being informed and supporting local and national organizations. Visit https://bestfriends.org/2025-goal to get involved.
Since the major contributor to shelter numbers is strays, get your pet micro-chipped. Once your pet and their microchip are registered with a company like PEEVA, there is less chance of your beloved hound (or puss) being lost forever.
And finally, the big one. ADOPT, ADOPT, ADOPT!
