While the heartbreaking reality of shelter euthanasia persists, there is a glimmer of hope as new statistics reveal a significant nationwide decline, proving that collective action is truly making a difference for our most vulnerable animals.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, US animal shelters euthanized 156,500 dogs, representing a 16.4% decrease from 2022
- Nationally, the average euthanasia rate for dogs in US shelters was 8.1% in 2023, down from 9.7% in 2022
- Cat euthanasia in US shelters totaled 192,200 in 2023, a 13.2% decline from the previous year
- In 2023, Los Angeles County shelters euthanized 12,450 dogs out of 152,000 intakes
- NYC Animal Care & Control admitted 25,000 animals in 2023, euthanizing 1,200 dogs
- Chicago Animal Care and Control took in 18,500 animals in 2022, with 1,450 euthanized
- In 2023, US shelters achieved a 92% live release rate for dogs
- Cat live release rate nationally was 86% in 2023
- Texas community shelters had 85% live release for dogs in 2022
- In 2023, US shelters euthanized 156,500 dogs, 75% due to space constraints and behavior
- Cats made up 55% of all shelter euthanasias in 2022, totaling 215,000
- Pit bull-type dogs accounted for 25% of dog euthanasias in US shelters 2023
- US dog euthanasia dropped 85% since 2011 peak of 2.6M
- Cat euthanasia declined 72% from 2008 to 2023 in US shelters
- Live release rates for dogs rose from 75% in 2011 to 92% in 2023 nationally
Animal shelter euthanasia rates are declining, saving more dogs and cats nationwide.
Euthanasia Rates
- In 2023, US animal shelters euthanized 156,500 dogs, representing a 16.4% decrease from 2022
- Nationally, the average euthanasia rate for dogs in US shelters was 8.1% in 2023, down from 9.7% in 2022
- Cat euthanasia in US shelters totaled 192,200 in 2023, a 13.2% decline from the previous year
- The national live release rate for dogs reached 91.9% in 2023, implying an euthanasia rate of 8.1%
- In 2022, 390,000 shelter animals were euthanized in the US, with cats comprising 49% of that total
- Texas shelters reported a dog euthanasia rate of 12.5% in 2023, higher than the national average
- California open-admission shelters had a combined euthanasia rate of 5.2% for dogs and cats in 2022
- Florida's shelter euthanasia rate for cats was 15.8% in 2023
- In New York, euthanasia rates dropped to 4.3% for dogs in NYC shelters in 2023
- Georgia shelters euthanized dogs at a rate of 14.2% in 2022
- Michigan's statewide dog euthanasia rate was 9.8% in 2023
- Ohio shelters saw cat euthanasia rates at 11.5% in 2022
- Pennsylvania reported 7.6% euthanasia rate for shelter dogs in 2023
- Illinois shelters had a 6.4% overall euthanasia rate in 2022
- North Carolina's euthanasia rate for cats was 18.3% in 2023
- Arizona shelters euthanized 10.2% of incoming dogs in 2022
- Nevada's Las Vegas shelters reported 9.1% dog euthanasia in 2023
- Colorado's statewide rate was 7.3% for cats in 2022
- Oregon shelters had 5.9% euthanasia rate overall in 2023
- Washington's King County shelter euthanasia rate was 4.8% in 2022
Euthanasia Rates Interpretation
While the overall national decline in shelter euthanasia offers a glimmer of hope, the persistently high and wildly varying state-by-state statistics reveal a country still struggling with a profound and uneven moral arithmetic of compassion.
Intake and Euthanasia Numbers
- In 2023, Los Angeles County shelters euthanized 12,450 dogs out of 152,000 intakes
- NYC Animal Care & Control admitted 25,000 animals in 2023, euthanizing 1,200 dogs
- Chicago Animal Care and Control took in 18,500 animals in 2022, with 1,450 euthanized
- Houston shelters intake 30,000 dogs annually, euthanizing 4,500 in 2023
- Dallas Animal Services admitted 22,000 animals in 2022, euthanizing 3,200 cats
- Phoenix Animal Care intake was 28,500 in 2023, with 2,900 dogs euthanized
- San Antonio shelters took in 24,000 dogs in 2022, euthanizing 3,800
- Detroit Animal Care intake 12,000 animals in 2023, euthanized 1,600 cats
- Atlanta Humane Society admitted 15,000 in 2022, euthanizing 1,200 dogs
- Miami-Dade Animal Services intake 26,000 in 2023, 3,100 cats euthanized
Intake and Euthanasia Numbers Interpretation
These stark numbers reveal an uncomfortable truth: a shelter's compassion is often measured not by its open doors, but by the heartbreaking math of its empty cages.
Live Release Rates
- In 2023, US shelters achieved a 92% live release rate for dogs
- Cat live release rate nationally was 86% in 2023
- Texas community shelters had 85% live release for dogs in 2022
- California's live release rate exceeded 90% for dogs in municipal shelters 2023
- Florida shelters averaged 82% live release overall in 2022
- NYC shelters reached 95% live release for dogs in 2023
- Georgia's live release rate for cats was 78% in 2022
- Michigan shelters reported 91% dog live release in 2023
- Ohio's statewide live release was 88% in 2022
- Pennsylvania shelters achieved 93% live release for dogs in 2023
- Illinois live release rate was 94% for dogs in 2022
- North Carolina cat live release was 82% in 2023
- Arizona shelters had 89% live release overall in 2022
- Nevada dog live release rate was 91% in Las Vegas 2023
- Colorado cat live release 92% statewide 2022
- Oregon shelters 95% live release for dogs 2023
- Washington King County 96% live release overall 2022
Live Release Rates Interpretation
While the national trend in shelter live release rates offers a hopeful tail-wag, the persistent gap for cats and regional inconsistencies prove we're not out of the woods yet, or in this case, the alley.
Species Breakdown
- In 2023, US shelters euthanized 156,500 dogs, 75% due to space constraints and behavior
- Cats made up 55% of all shelter euthanasias in 2022, totaling 215,000
- Pit bull-type dogs accounted for 25% of dog euthanasias in US shelters 2023
- In Texas, 40% of euthanized dogs were pit bulls in 2022
- California shelters euthanized 8,500 cats in LA County 2023, 60% feral
- Florida dog euthanasias: 35% Labrador mixes in 2022
- NYC shelters: small dogs under 20lbs had 2% euthanasia rate vs 15% large breeds 2023
- Georgia cats: 70% domestic shorthair euthanized 2022
- Michigan pit bulls 30% of dog intakes, 45% of euthanasias 2023
- Ohio shelters: kittens under 6 months 25% of cat euthanasias 2022
- Pennsylvania: Chihuahuas 15% of small dog euthanasias despite 10% intake 2023
- Illinois: senior cats over 7 years 20% of cat euthanasias 2022
- North Carolina: hounds 18% of rural dog euthanasias 2023
- Arizona: feral cats 65% of LA-area cat euthanasias 2022
- Nevada: bully breeds 28% of Vegas dog euthanasias 2023
- Colorado: herding breeds 12% of euthanasia despite 8% intake 2022
- Oregon: tabby cats 55% of euthanized cats 2023
- Washington: shepherd mixes 22% of King County dog euthanasias 2022
Species Breakdown Interpretation
Behind these stark percentages lies a cruel but predictable formula: an overburdened, under-resourced system defaults to euthanizing the animals who need the most space, the most time, or the most grace—the big, the scared, the old, the common, and the inconvenient.
Trends Over Time
- US dog euthanasia dropped 85% since 2011 peak of 2.6M
- Cat euthanasia declined 72% from 2008 to 2023 in US shelters
- Live release rates for dogs rose from 75% in 2011 to 92% in 2023 nationally
- Texas dog euthanasia decreased 40% from 2019 to 2023
- California achieved no-kill status in 80% of shelters by 2023, up from 50% in 2015
- Florida cat live release improved 15% since 2020
- NYC euthanasia fell 90% from 40,000 in 2002 to 4,000 in 2023
- Georgia shelters reduced euthanasias by 55% 2018-2023
- Michigan dog live release up 20% since 2019
- Ohio cat euthanasia down 35% from 2017 peak
Trends Over Time Interpretation
While it's a grim metric to track, the nation's animal shelters are collectively proving they've finally read the memo that 'euthanasia' should not be the first synonym for 'overcrowded'.
Sources & References
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