Animal Facts

Facts about Pet Ownership in the U.S.:

• About 63 percent of all households in the United States have a pet. (Source: American Veterinary Medical Association)
• About 75 million dogs and about 85 million cats are owned in the United States. (Source: Pet Food Institute)
• According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), about 65 percent of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low cost.
• The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. About 15 to 20 percent of dogs are purchased from breeders, 10 to 20 percent of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues, and 2 to 10 percent are purchased from pet shops. (Source: Ralston Purina and NCPPSP)
• At least 20 percent of cats are acquired as strays. (Source: NCPPSP) Many strays are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
• More than 20 percent of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter. (Source: NCPPSP)
• The average cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or cat is $700 to $875 annually.
• About 75 percent of owned pets are neutered.

Facts about Pet Overpopulation in the U.S.:

• It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States; estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.
• The average number of litters a fertile cat produces is one to two a year; average number of kittens is 4-6 per litter.
• The average number of litters a fertile dog produces is one a year; average number of puppies is 4-6.
• Owned cats and dogs generally live longer, healthier lives than strays.
• Most strays are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
• Only ten percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. About 75 percent of owned pets are neutered.
• The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for a year.
• Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.

The above data are ASPCA estimates unless otherwise indicated.

 

Animal Rescue Statistics

• Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year:  6-8 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year:  3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year:  3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
• Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:  Between 600,000 and 750,000—30 percent of dogs and 2-5 percent of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)
• Number of animal shelters in the United States:
  Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)
• Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred:  25 percent (HSUS estimate)
• Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
• Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6
• Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
• Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10

Unless otherwise indicated, statistics provided by The National Council on Pet Population, Study and Policy.