Newly Released Animal Sheltering Data Shows Shelters Urgently Need Community Support; Dog Euthanasia Increasing as More Dogs Enter Shelters than Leave

ATLANTA, GA, 5/23/2023 – Shelter Animals Count (SAC), the most trusted and current source for animal sheltering data, spotlights a trend in dog euthanasia from the newly-released Intake and Outcome Data Analysis report for Q1 2023. Full report PDF here.

Getting (and keeping) dogs out of overburdened shelters is important right now, as data shows that not only are more dogs entering shelters than are leaving, the non-live outcome rate for dogs has nearly doubled (from 5.6% to 10%) when comparing Q1 2021 to Q1 2023. This means nearly twice as many dogs did not leave shelters alive during the first three months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2021.

“The crisis shelters are facing does not originate within the shelters,” said Stephanie Filer, Executive Director of Shelter Animals Count. “Shelters need help now more than ever. This is a community problem that requires a community solution.”

The past two years have been challenging for animal sheltering organizations, with more many animals coming in than are leaving. Filer said, “We have been holding onto too many animals since the beginning of 2021. This means that shelters are now in their third year of having too many animals in care and not enough adoptions, especially for dogs. Increasing dog outcomes is the most urgent need to get the sheltering system out of crisis mode.”

SAC data indicates that 4% more animals entered shelters than left in 2022. This is the largest gap in the past 4 years. 

Since data alone only tells part of the story, SAC also surveyed animal shelters to gain a deeper understanding of what shelters are facing and how their communities can help. Hundreds of early responses indicate a greater need for public support.

Of the survey respondents, 44% said euthanasia of dogs had increased in 2023 compared to January-March 2022. Another 45% said euthanasia had stayed the same, while only 11% said it had decreased. When asked about the considerations behind euthanasia, the most common reasons were not having enough adopters or interest, dogs exhibiting behaviors that made them unadoptable, and a lack of space.

In nearly a hundred comments on the survey, respondents repeatedly emphasized the urgent need for help from the community. They ask that people adopt from local shelters, foster, and volunteer to walk and socialize shelter dogs. In addition, respondents urge pet owners to spay and neuter their pets, train and socialize them, and, if they find themselves in need of assistance in order to keep their pet, reach out to local shelters and rescues to find out what programs and support are available in their community.

“Our euthanasia is not a shelter issue,” one respondent said. “We are doing everything and then some to get animals out alive. It takes action from our immediate community to keep euthanasia numbers low… People can help by choosing to adopt, foster, volunteer, and donate.”

About Shelter Animals Count (SAC): SAC is a collaborative, industry-led nonprofit organization formed by a diverse group of animal welfare agencies to create and share The National Database of sheltered animal statistics, providing facts and enabling insights that will improve animal welfare throughout the country. For more information about Shelter Animals Count, please visit shelteranimalscount.org.