The State of Animal Welfare Today
- Animals in US Households
- Animals in US Shelters
- No-Kill Shelters
- Getting Animals Into Homes
- Why Do Pets End Up In Shelters?
- Initiatives to Increase Pet Lifesaving
Current number of Animals in US Households1
More than 2/3 of US households share their homes with cats and dogs
186 million cats and dogs live in 86 million households
22% of households are multi-pet and have cats and dogs
Key Stats About Cats in US Households
cats owned in the US
average cats per household
more cats owned in the US since 2018
US households have a cat
Increase in households with cats in past 10 years
Key Stats About Dogs in US Households
dogs owned in the US
average dogs per household
more dogs owned in the US since 2018
US households have a dog
Increase in households with dogs in past 10 years
Current Number of Animals in US Shelters2
Lifesaving progress around the country
For more on lifesaving progress, see our printable infographic or the pet lifesaving dashboard.
No-kill shelters
The percent of US shelters that are no-kill doubled in the past six years, from 24% in 2016 to 52% in 2021. This accounts for more 37% of all counties with sheltering services.6
A 90% save rate for the animals entering a shelter is the common sense benchmark for measuring no-kill. Learn what no-kill means.
Getting animals into homes
Most important considerations when looking for a new pet: 4
While intent to adopt is strong, there is a significant drop off in adoption behavior.
Why the difference? Barriers to adoption revolve around uncertainty and lack of ease in the process.
Why do pets end up in shelters? It's not them, it's us.5
Pets are relinquished to shelters for reasons related to the owner's circumstances at roughly a ratio of 3 to 1 as compared to reasons specific to the animal. Unlike what many may believe, the animal's behavior is not a leading reason for surrender.
14.1% of dogs are surrendered due to housing issues, the top reason for canines, while more cats are surrendered due to the owner having too many animals (22.6%) than any other reason.
Top initiatives to increase pet lifesaving
Community Cats/Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)

Community Cats/Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
While cats and dogs enter US shelters in roughly equal numbers, more than twice as many cats are needlessly dying in shelters. 68% of the animals killed in shelters are cats (the remaining 32% are dogs).6
The most significant concerns about free roaming cats are the spread of diseases (59%), abandoned litters (58%), and overpopulation (57%).3
These concerns can be remedied through TNR (Trap Neuter Return) and community cat programs and yet 55% of adults have never heard of TNR.3
Ending Breed Restrictions

Ending Breed Discrimination
84% of Americans believe that federal, state or local government should not tell citizens what breeds of dog they cannot own.7
22 states have passed provisions against breed-specific legislation8, but only two states (Pennsylvania and Michigan) have laws prohibiting breed-based restrictions in the homeowner's insurance market.9
Sadly, legislation in seven states currently restricts dogs seized in dogfighting cases, stigmatizing them as damaged and unadoptable and denying them an opportunity to prove otherwise.10

Stopping Puppy Mills

Stopping Puppy Mills
More than 400 humane pet sales laws have been enacted, including four states (Maine, Maryland, California, Washington) that prohibit the sale of animals from breeding mills.11
Since 2002, the percentage of households with purebred dogs has seen a decrease and households with mixed-breed dogs has seen an increase.1
Spay/Neuter Programs and Education

Increased Community Involvement

Increased Community Involvement
Support pet-friendly laws and ordinances: Find an alert relevant to where you live and fill out the contact fields with your information.
Foster: To learn more about the benefits of fostering, check out our resources, FAQ's, and contact information.
Volunteer: You'll make a real difference in the lives of homeless pets, meet others who love animals, and have fun! There are thousands of Best Friends Network Partners all over the country, and they need your help tody.
Join your local grassroots action team
Help create big change for the pets and people in your community. Connect with a local team of advocates today.
1 APPA National Pet Owners Survey (2021-2022 study)
2 Best Friends 2021 National Shelter Data
3 Best Friends 2022 Brand Study
4 Best Friends 2016 Adoption Barriers Study
5 Best Friends analysis on 24PetWatch data from Jan 2018 - Sept 2020.
6 Analysis on Best Friends 2021 National Shelter Data
7 2014 BF Focus Group Research via Luntz Global National Survey: http://resources.bestfriends.org/article/dog-breed-discrimination-prevention
8 As of 2019, https://bestfriends.org/our-work/best-friends-advocacy/ending-breed-discrimination
9https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/pit-bull-insurance-and-housing-resources
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/difs/Bulletin_2019-20-INS_670400_7.pdf
https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-3-ps-agriculture/pa-st-sect-3-459-507-a.html
10https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/states-discriminating-against-dogfighting-victims
11https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/states-retail-pet-sale-bans
12 Analysis of 2021-2022 APPA Study (Acquired %’s add up to >100 as a result of multiple pets per household.)
13https://pets.webmd.com/cats/cat-pregnancy-gestation#1
14 Best Friends 2021 Brand Study