Animal shelters across the U.S. are drowning in their capacity to house, feed, and care for their homeless pets — especially dogs. This crisis has been ongoing since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and continues to worsen. Dog adoptions are down, yet rescues and shelters are facing continually increasing intakes and owner surrenders of dogs. The shelter over-population crisis is more serious than you might imagine.
Recent Statistics Are Alarming
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When I first heard about this crisis, I was astounded once I delved into the statistics and the sheer number of shelters in dire situations. Here are just a few of the stats I found from Shelter Animals Count, the nation’s leading organization that compiles shelter statistics.
- Shelters and rescues received 6.5 million cats and dogs in 2023.
- By June 2024, 322,000 more pets entered the U.S. shelter system than left.
- The U.S. pet population jumped 6% in 2020 and 4% in 2021. Historically, growth is around 1% annually.
- 360,000 dogs and 320,000 cats were euthanized in 2023. However, these numbers are likely much higher. Shelter Animals Count only factors in shelter-reported data.
- In recent years, there has been a notable rise in non-live outcomes for dogs (+24% or 78,000 more dogs from 2022; +64% or 157,000 more dogs from 2021). Additionally, non-live outcomes for dogs have risen by 12% (42,000 dogs) compared to 2019. Non-live outcomes refers to dogs either being euthanized or dying from illness while in a shelter.
“Of greater concern than the volume of animals entering shelters, even, is the ongoing reality that more animals are entering shelters than leaving, perpetuating this national capacity crisis,” says Stephanie Filer, Executive Director for Shelter Animals Count. “A total of 900,000 additional animals have entered and lingered in our nation’s shelters since January of 2021. That’s nearly a million more dogs and cats on top of the population already residing within organizations.”
Why Are Adoptions Declining?
Experts say there are several reasons that pet adoptions from shelters and rescues are declining, with the rising cost of veterinary care and dog food topping the list. Other obstacles include pet restrictions at rental properties, post-pandemic returns to work, and a renewed popularity of “designer” pets from breeders.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition 2024 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report highlights many of the obstacles potential pet owners face when considering adopting a rescue dog or cat. The report features results from a survey of 2,500 Americans from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Nearly half of respondents reported the cost of pet ownership as the biggest challenge.
- 84% of respondents said veterinary care is the costliest part of pet ownership.
- Only 24% of respondents said they were likely to adopt a large dog (55+ pounds).
- 56% of respondents making under $50,000 are significantly more likely to have experienced at least one pet restriction in their housing.
- Those making less than $75,000 per year are more likely to surrender a pet due to financial difficulties.
In the past year, shelters across the U.S., such as Animal Care Centers of NYC, have had to temporarily stop all dog surrenders and even all intakes due to the shelter population crisis. “We’re having to create space in a way that we haven’t had to before,” Zoe Kenney of Animal Care Centers of NYC told Time Magazine in December 2023. “While the shelter is once again accepting surrenders, too many dogs lead to enclosures that are roughly half the shelter’s preferred size and popup kennels in hallways and offices.” Kenney cites landlord disputes and pet restrictions, as well as financial insecurity, as the main reasons they’re seeing high surrender numbers.
Shelters Plea For Help
Social media is full of desperate calls for assistance from shelters and rescues spanning rural and urban areas in all 50 states. Here are just a few examples.
The Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C., posted a recent plea on Facebook, “In just the last two months, we’ve taken in 704 dogs, and while 448 have been adopted, reunited, or transferred, it’s still not enough. Our commitment to never euthanize for space relies on the kindness and generosity of people like you.”
The KC Pet Project in Kansas City, MO, recently posted this message on Facebook, “For 30 days or more, 77 incredible dogs have been waiting patiently for adoption. Our longest-term resident, India, has been with us for an unbelievable 173 days—nearly six months of waiting for someone to choose her. India and all the dogs who have been here for 30 days or more have waived adoption fees, making it easier than ever to bring home a new best friend.”
“Our shelter is at capacity, and we’re welcoming an average of 30 new dogs every day. With limited kennel space and more dogs arriving than leaving, the need to find homes for the 77 dogs who have been waiting too long is more urgent than ever. How can you help? Adopt or Foster-to-Adopt…”
Climate Change Is Another Added Factor
Another problem shelters face is overcrowding due to natural disasters, such as wildfires in the west and hurricanes in the southeast. The Charleston Animal Society, for example, is in a dire population crisis following Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton. A post on the CAS’s Facebook page explains their situation.
“As hurricanes continue to pound the southeast, Charleston Animal Society is dangerously overflowing with pets. We are the leading animal disaster response organization in the region, and we need your help to make room to continue helping lost, injured, and abandoned animals. Currently, over 250 animals are being cared for at our main campus at 2455 Remount Road; well over the amount the shelter was built to house. The situation is so critical that we have waived the adoption fees for all dogs one year and older.”
Shelter Staffing Is An Added Problem
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, animal care workers and kennel attendants earn a median wage of $29,790, often with limited benefits. With a tight job market, shelters have a very tough time retaining and hiring staff to care for the increasing number of animals entering their facilities.
Animal surrenders and euthanasia rates are also up, which takes an emotional toll on shelter staff. According to Psychology Today, current data suggest that animal welfare workers suffer from higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and secondary traumatic stress.
What Can You Do To Help?
If you’re as concerned as we are at Canine Journal about this problem, there are many ways to make a difference.
Volunteer Locally
On a local level, you have several options to assist your rescue and shelter organizations to relieve the burden.
- Spread the word about the need for dog adoptions among your friends and co-workers.
- Volunteer to foster shelter dogs to relieve the population crisis in shelter facilities.
- Volunteer your time to assist your local organizations, which are likely stretched too thin with staffing problems.
- Donate money to your regional animal welfare organizations.
Support National Organizations
On a national level, there are many organizations who are devoted to helping this crisis. If you’re committed to transforming our U.S. animal welfare system into all no-kill shelters, Best Friends, headquartered in Utah, is among the best national nonprofit organizations you can support. This organization partners with shelters across the U.S. to provide support.
My other recommendation on a national support level is the BISSELL Pet Foundation. This powerhouse nonprofit is committed to addressing the pet overpopulation crisis in all 50 states. Their pet adoption, spay/neuter, microchip, and crisis and disaster programs are reducing the number of pets in shelters and rescues. Since 2011, the foundation has awarded over $30 million in grant funding to shelters and rescues in all 50 states.
As just one recent example of this organization’s outreach — on September 30, 2024, BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Animal Incident Management team was on the ground in Statesville, N.C., to provide relief to pets affected by the devastating flooding in western N.C. from Hurricane Helene. The Asheville Humane Society shared their gratitude on their Facebook page.
“The Bissell Pet Foundation, alongside the Forsyth Humane Society, helped us load over 100 of our animals into a plane to whisk them to safety. As we stood on the tarmac, waving goodbye to animals we love fiercely, we were filled with gratitude knowing that our animals were in capable hands. ‘This is our bright spot. This is our happiness,’ Jen, our Director of Operations said. ‘We love our animals enough to let them go, because their happiness is our purpose.’”
Check out this brief video to learn more about the response from the BISSEL Pet Foundation and other organizations as they were quickly in action to give assistance.
Adopt vs Shop For A Dog
I wrote an article several years ago about the “Adopt Don’t Shop” trend, and the idea behind the movement is more important than ever. If you’re considering bringing a new dog into your home, I hope you’ll read this article, which highlights the importance of adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter versus buying from a breeder. We also have a great guide on what to consider about adopting a dog. However, we at Canine Journal understand if you’re committed to buying a purebred dog. So, please see our guide on how to find a reputable breeder.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally and her colleagues at Canine Journal are die-hard pet lovers and animal advocates committed to their well-being. When dogs and other animals are in crisis anywhere in the world, we at Canine Journal are seriously concerned. And we feel an obligation to spread the word to our fellow dog lovers. As a long-time journalist, Sally delves into the most important and trustworthy information available on the web to give our readers the most accurate and up-to-date information.