Across the country, volunteers and staff in animal shelters and animal control facilities see the results of irresponsible pet ownership and dog and cat overpopulation every day. However, there is very little reliable data available to illustrate this issue on a national level. Following is information that shows the tragedy of the life and death of dogs and cats that pass through animal shelters. Please keep in mind that these figures are the result of independent random studies and the best estimates by experts in the animal welfare field and should be considered ballpark figures.

There are about 6,000 community animal shelters nationwide that are independent; there is no national organization running these shelters. The phrases “humane society” and “SPCA” are generic terms; shelters using those names are not part of the Humane Society of the United States (which operates no animal shelters) or The ASPCA (which operates one shelter in New York City). Currently, no government institutions or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal welfare movement.

Animal Shelters

Approximately 8-12 million companion animals are relinquished to shelters nationwide every year and approximately 60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats are euthanized, although these figures may vary from state to state.

*Less than two percent of cats and only 15-20 percent of dogs are returned to their owners, largely due to pet owners that do not provide their animals with proper identification.

*25 percent of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.

*Only 10 percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered.

*The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for one year.

Pet Overpopulation

*The average number of litters a fertile cat can produce is three a year; average number of kittens in litters is 4 to 6.

*The average number of litters a fertile dog can produce is two a year; average number of puppies is 6 to 10.

*One female dog and her offspring can produce as many as 67,000 puppies in six years.

*One female cat and her offspring can produce as many as 420,000 kittens in seven years.

*It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the US; estimates range from 5 to 10 million.

*The average lifespan of a stray is less than two years. It is a short, brutal experience.

*Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.

Pet Ownership

*About 60 percent of all households in the United States have a pet.

*About 53 million dogs and about 59 million cats are owned in the United States.

*About 65 percent of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low cost.

*The cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a pet is anywhere from $100 to $600 annually.

*23 percent of people acquire their cats as strays; 23 percent of people who leave dogs in shelters have adopted dogs in shelters.

Background

Since 1866 the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been committed to promoting humane principles and preventing the cruelty, pain, fear and suffering of animals. Founded by Henry Bergh, The ASPCA is the oldest humane organization in America, and one of the largest hands-on animal welfare organizations in the world.

In its first year the ASPCA prompted the New York State Legislature to pass the country’s first effective anti-cruelty law. By 1867, two years before New York’s Bellevue Hospital established the first ambulance for humans, the ASPCA operated the first ambulance for injured horses.

And by 1873, 25 states, territories and Canada had used The ASPCA as a model for their own independent humane societies.

Today, more than 130 years later, The ASPCA continues to work towards people and animals living together harmoniously and to ensure that animals are treated humanely. Learn more about the ASPCA, visit the Web site at www.aspca.org