Adopt Don't Shop
There is a lot of data and statistics on the number of pets euthanized each year with those numbers varying. According to the ASPCA Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and every year approximately 2.7 million of those beloved family pets animals are euthanized. That is 7,397 every day, about 1 every 11 seconds. One of the highest statistics researched and noted is that an average, 64% of all animals taken into shelters nationwide have to be euthanized because of overcrowding . Purebreds account for 30% off all the animals in shelters. It is not known how accurate or forthcoming shelters are in providing their statistics, that leaving one to believe that the numbers could be significantly higher
Of the dogs entering shelters, approximately 35% are adopted, 31% are euthanized and 26% of dogs who came in as strays are returned to their owner. About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.
The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. 28% of dogs are purchased from breeders, and ONLY 29% of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues.
It is estimated that there are 70 million stray dogs and cats in this country, most because of improper housing and/or no identification.
Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered, while 83% of pet dogs and 91% of pet cats are not spayed or neutered. The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for a year.
According to the American Humane Association, the most common reasons why people relinquish or give away their dogs is because their place of residence does not allow pets (29%), not enough time, divorce/death and behavior issues (10% each). The most common reasons for cats are that they were not allowed in the residence (21%) and allergies (11%).
