Pet Population Stats

Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year:6-8 million
Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year:3-4 million
Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year:3-4 million
Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:Between 600,000 and 750,000 -- 30% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters Number of animal shelters in the United States:Between 4,000 and 6,000 Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred:25%
Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6
Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10
HSUS Estimates