For the fifth consecutive year in the U.S., the number of dogs and cats entering shelters has been higher than the number leaving. This imbalance contributes to higher shelter populations and increased lengths of stay for animals, especially large dogs. To better understand the consumer beliefs and behaviors driving these trends, Hill’s Pet Nutrition published its third annual State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report. In it, the company aims to identify the barriers, perceptions, and opportunities related to companion animal adoption in North America.

The report is based on an online survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers and 500 Canadian consumers, conducted between February and March 2025. The survey samples were representative of each country’s general population. The findings also incorporate 2024 shelter data from the non-profit organization Shelter Animals Count to provide a broader context on intake and outcome trends.

Financial And Housing Barriers Remain Top Concerns

The cost of companion animal guardianship is a primary concern for people in both the U.S. and Canada. Nearly half (48%) of U.S. respondents cited the overall cost as the biggest challenge to having a companion animal, a 5% increase from 2024.

Veterinary care is seen as the single biggest expense and a major barrier to adoption. Almost two-thirds (64%) of U.S. Americans and close to three-quarters (72%) of Canadians reported that the cost of veterinary care directly impacts their decision to adopt.

Housing is another significant hurdle. For those who had to relinquish an animal, moving to a home that didn’t allow their companion was the top reason, cited by 21% of U.S. respondents. Housing restrictions are also a primary reason people choose not to adopt large dogs.

Adoption Intent And Acquisition Methods

Despite the challenges, a majority of people are open to adoption. Just under two-thirds (63%) of U.S. Americans and over half (58%) of Canadians said they would likely choose a shelter when getting a new companion animal. However, the most common way people in both countries acquired their cats and dogs in 2025 was from a family member or friend.

A person’s past experience is a strong predictor of future behavior: in the U.S., 80% of previous shelter adopters are likely to adopt from a shelter again, compared to just 56% of those who have never adopted from a shelter before. This suggests that encouraging first-time shelter adoptions is crucial for creating a pipeline of repeat adopters.

The Fostering Landscape

Fostering is a critical way to increase shelter capacity, but the report found mixed trends. While public familiarity with fostering programs has increased, the number of people in the U.S. actively fostering has declined from 14% in 2024 to 11% in 2025. Key findings include:

• Top barrier: The biggest reason people hesitate to foster is the fear of becoming too attached to the animal and adopting them (a “foster fail”). This concern was reported by 47% of prospective fosters, a 7% increase from the previous year.
• Cost misconceptions: One in five prospective fosters are concerned about the affordability of fostering, suggesting a lack of awareness that shelters typically cover these costs.
• Key motivators: The factor most likely to encourage people to foster is having access to expert guidance from a trainer (74%). Offering short-term options like weekend fostering (71%) and financial compensation (70%) are also strong motivators.

The Post-Adoption Experience

The report shows that the shelter adoption experience is overwhelmingly positive. In 2025, 93% of U.S. adopters and 86% of Canadian adopters reported a positive experience. The majority — 90% of U.S. adopters and 84% of Canadian adopters — also felt confident in their decision to adopt. For those who did experience negative emotions like anxiety or frustration, the most common cause was the animal having behavioral issues.

A crucial takeaway from the report is the power of support systems. Among U.S. Americans who received support or resources when they were considering surrendering their companion, 95% ended up keeping their animal.

Ways To Promote Fostering And Boost Adoptions

The report offers several data-driven insights for animal advocates looking to increase fostering and adoptions and keep animals in their homes.

Address Financial Barriers

With cost being the top obstacle, advocates can focus on expanding access to affordable veterinary care, pet food pantries, and other programs that help reduce the financial burden of companion animal guardianship.

Support Informal Rehoming

Since many people get animals from friends or family, there’s an opportunity to support these informal networks. Shelters could offer “rehoming kits” with resources on training, low-cost veterinary care, and how to successfully transition an animal to a new home.

Reframe Fostering

To recruit more fosters, advocacy messaging should address the primary fear of getting too attached. This can be done by validating this emotion while also emphasizing the life-saving impact of providing temporary care. It’s also vital to communicate clearly that fostering is typically free for the foster guardian, as shelters often provide supplies and cover medical costs.

Invest In Post-Adoption Support

The fact that 95% of people keep their companion when offered support is a powerful statistic. Investing in accessible post-adoption resources — such as free behavioral training consultations or helplines — can be an extremely effective strategy to reduce surrenders.

Launch Targeted Pet-Friendly Housing Campaigns

With 21% of relinquishments caused by moving to homes that don’t allow companion animals, advocates can develop campaigns focused on landlords and rental agencies. These campaigns can highlight the benefits of pet-friendly policies and provide resources like sample pet agreements to reduce landlord concerns. The data shows this is a critical leverage point for keeping animals in their homes.

Targeted Outreach To Younger Generations

Gen Z and Millennials show a high intent to adopt from shelters, particularly for large dogs who face the longest stays. However, one in five from these generations are unaware of nearby shelters. Advocates can use this data to justify targeted social media outreach, as this is the primary way younger people get information about shelters.

This summary was drafted by a large language model (LLM) and closely edited by our Research Library Manager for clarity and accuracy. As per our AI policy, Faunalytics only uses LLMs to summarize very long reports (50+ pages) that are not appropriate to assign to volunteers, as well as studies that contain graphic descriptions of animal cruelty or animal industries. We remain committed to bringing you reliable data, which is why any AI-generated work will always be thoroughly reviewed by a human.