Comcast Publishes Results Of Pet Adoption Trends Survey
The results of a Comcast annual animal shelter survey found that the current economic recession has both impacted adoption rates and tightened the standards of shelters for potential adopters.
Among the results of this survey of local animal shelter directors, Comcast found that:
- Half of shelters now exercise higher standards for adoption approvals during the holiday season, because of the recession.
- As the result of the recession, shelters have had a higher intake of animals, while two-thirds have also noticed a drop in adoptions.
- Fewer people are adopting over the holiday season; two-thirds of shelters saw holiday adoptions decrease by one-fifth.
- Cats are less expensive to maintain, but they are harder to place than dogs.
- Factors that shelters look for in adopters include lifelong commitment to pet care (44%), responsibility (28%), and lifestyle match (28%).
- 60% of the animals placed were adults; 40% were puppies or kittens.
- The best predictor of people who are going to adopt is previous experience. Three-quarters of those who adopt had taken home shelter animals before.
- Slightly more than half of all adoptions are family decisions, about a third are made by moms alone, and kids and dads have a say about 5% of the time.