The Shelter Statistics Survey 1994 Through 1997
The National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy provides estimates on companion animals, specifically dogs and cats, entering and leaving animal shelters for the years 1994 through 1997. This information also includes some data relating to the final disposition of the reported animals, including adoptions, returns to owners, and euthanization.
The initial list for survey distribution included 5,042 shelters and organizations, but the number of returned responses was much lower and varied by year. Consequently, the estimates shown here reflect only a small portion of the actual national numbers. Several major summary statistics are presented below, but please see attached file or web link for full detail.
Total Numbers Entering Responding Shelters (dogs, cats and unspecified):
- 1994 – 3,780,518
- 1995 – 4,064,540
- 1996 – 4,318,064
- 1997 – 4,336,244
Total Numbers Leaving Responding Shelters:
- 1994 – 3,533,051
- 1995 – 3,705,905
- 1996 – 4,156,153
- 1997 – 4,009,100
Disposition of Dogs and Cats Entering Reporting Shelters (%):Adopted
- 1994 – 22.6%
- 1995 – 23.7%
- 1996 – 24.0%
- 1997 – 23.9%
Returned to Owner
- 1994 – 10.0%
- 1995 – 10.0%
- 1996 – 9.7%
- 1997 – 9.8%
Euthanized
- 1994 – 64.1%
- 1995 – 63.1%
- 1996 – 64.1%
- 1997 – 63.6%
Other
- 1994 – 3.3%
- 1995 – 2.3%
- 1996 – 2.0%
- 1997 – 2.4%
Unknown
- 1994 – N/A
- 1995 – 0.8%
- 1996 – 0.3%
- 1997 – 0.4%