Almost a million more furry friends are filling up animal shelters across the nation compared to three years ago, with more dogs than cats sadly put to sleep last year for the first time since 2016, as noted by a major animal advocacy organization.
The shelter and rescue communities in the U.S. have seen a significant increase of 900,000 pets since January 2021. In 2023, over 359,000 dogs were euthanized, reaching a five-year high, according to the data from Shelter Animals Count. At the same time, 330,000 cats met the same fate.
Kelley Kimble, the president of Briscoe Animal Resource Center in Uvalde, Texas, aptly described the situation as, “We are trying to empty a river of unwanted pets with a small bucket.”
Stephanie Filer, the executive director of Shelter Animals Count, emphasized the ongoing crisis in shelters due to more animals coming in than leaving. The imbalance poses a significant challenge for animal welfare organizations.
While efforts have successfully reduced the risks faced by cats entering shelters in the past two decades, dog programs are struggling. Dog adoptions have remained stagnant over the past few years, leading to a growing number of dogs being left behind.
The unexpected shift where more dogs than cats face euthanization has raised concerns among advocates, highlighting the need for continued support and action to address the pressing issues faced by shelters nationwide.
The pet population boom can be attributed to various factors, including the lingering effects of disrupted spay and neuter programs during the pandemic. As shelters continue to grapple with overcrowding, collaborative efforts are needed to ensure that pets find loving homes and are not left behind in shelters.