Animal shelters across the U.S. took in approximately 2.8 million cats and dogs during the first six months of 2025, marking a 4% decrease compared to the same period in 2024, according to new data from Shelter Animals Count (SAC).
Despite the decline in overall intake, many organizations continue operating at or above capacity, struggling to move animals through the system efficiently, noted SAC. The data comes from nearly 14,000 shelters and rescue organizations nationwide.
Dog intake has declined consistently month-over-month throughout 2025, while cat intake remained steady, particularly during summer months when kitten populations typically surge.
Adoptions fell to 1.9 million animals in the first half of 2025, down 1% from the previous year. Return-to-owner rates also declined, with 317,000 dogs and cats reunited with their families — a 3% decrease from 2024.
The data reveals significant differences by animal size and type. Large dogs represented just 29% of stray dog intakes but accounted for 41% of all pets returned to owners. Government shelters handled nearly half of all dog and cat intakes.
Non-live outcomes, including euthanasia and animals dying in care, dropped 5% for dogs but increased slightly for cats, particularly among vulnerable kitten populations.
"This report reflects the collective effort of nearly 14,000 organizations across the country," said Stephanie Filer, executive director of SAC. "Because of the data submitted by our organizations, we can present a clear picture of where we stand as an industry, how that compares to this time last year, and where we're headed for the rest of 2025."
The report introduces new analysis layers, including lost and found data and breakdowns by organization type: government shelters, facilities with municipal contracts, private shelters, and rescues.
"Many shelters are struggling with staffing and veterinarian shortages, and too few adoptions," said Christa Chadwick, vice president of shelter services for the ASPCA. "We encourage animal welfare organizations and their communities to work together to keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters, while also working together through advocacy efforts to remove barriers that prevent many families from adopting new pets, such as lack of access to pet-friendly housing and affordable veterinary care. Shelter Animals Count's Mid-Year Report gives the entire animal welfare field a clearer, more unified view of the challenges shelters are facing. This level of insight is critical for driving collaboration, shaping strategy, and ultimately improving outcomes for animals across the country."
The full report is available at shelteranimalscount.org and includes detailed charts, intake and outcome data, and forecasting for the remainder of 2025.
