#United States #New York #animal welfare #ASPCA #Shelter Animals Count

Insights from the 2025 Shelter Animals Count Data Report

On February 4, 2026, Shelter Animals Count (SAC), a program developed by the ASPCA, released its highly anticipated 2025 Annual Data Report. This report not only marks a decade of national sheltering statistics but also provides crucial insights into trends affecting animal welfare across the United States.

The data compiled offers a comprehensive view of how animal rescues and shelters are managing challenges and successes in the community. Drawing from reports submitted by various shelters, this year's findings demonstrate several important shifts in intake, adoption rates, and animal outcomes.

Key Findings

1. Community Intakes Decline

In a notable shift, community intakes of dogs and cats fell slightly to a total of 5.8 million animals — a reduction of 2% from the previous year. This decrease equates to roughly 121,000 fewer animals entering shelters compared to 2024. Seasonal patterns were consistent, though overall intakes remained lower than in previous years. This trend suggests that communities may be taking proactive steps in animal welfare, possibly through spay/neuter initiatives or increased public awareness about responsible pet ownership.

2. Adoption Rates Improve

In a positive twist, total animal adoptions slightly increased, reaching 4.2 million in 2025 — a 0.7% rise compared to 2024. Encouragingly, strong adoption activity across both dog and cat species contributed to higher live outcome rates, reflecting the ongoing efforts by shelters to match pets with loving homes. Despite this improvement, the need for continued advocacy for adoption remains as thousands of animals still wait for homes.

3. Changes in Non-Live Outcomes

Non-live outcomes, which measure the number of animals that did not make it out of shelters alive, saw a slight decline to 757,000 animals — a 1% decrease from last year. However, there were notable discrepancies between species: dog non-live outcomes dropped by 5%, while the figure for cats rose by 4%. This disparity highlights the ongoing challenges shelters face with neonatal and older cats, indicating a critical area for intervention and support.

4. Decline in Return-to-Owner Rates

The percentage of stray animals returned to their owners also continued to decline, dropping by 3% with 638,000 animals reunited with families. Stray dogs maintained a higher return rate compared to stray cats, with the former being six times more likely to be returned, prompting further discussion on how to improve outreach and resources for feline companions.

A Decade of Data

With the first ten years of national sheltering data now analyzed, SAC provides an important long-term perspective on how intakes and outcomes have been affected over the years. The insights gathered are invaluable for understanding ongoing trends, particularly as shelters grapple with fluctuating capacity and evolving community needs.

Industry Reactions

Stephanie Filer, vice president of Shelter Animals Count, commented on the critical need for accurate data. “SAC is the nation's most-trusted source for animal sheltering data, and this year’s report highlights both the challenges and the resilient efforts of shelters across the country.” She noted that understanding these trends is crucial for effective planning and resource allocation.

Christa Chadwick, senior vice president of shelter services for the ASPCA, emphasized the importance of community involvement: “Public participation in adoption, fostering, and volunteering can significantly relieve pressure on shelters. While 4.2 million pets found homes last year, many more still need support and care.”

Expanded Insights for 2025

The report further offers an expanded animal-level dataset which will provide shelter operators with more nuanced insights regarding the animals’ demographics and background. This includes factors such as age, size, intake type, and length of stay, giving shelters better tools to adapt their approaches and support their communities effectively.

To access the complete report and dive deeper into the findings, visit the Shelter Animals Count website.

By examining these evolving patterns, stakeholders can continue to improve and refine their strategies to enhance the lives of animals across the country. As the landscape of animal welfare continues to change, consistent analysis of reliable data will remain essential to creating sustainable solutions and fostering stronger community relationships with animals in need.