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As we dive deeper into the latter half of 2024, animal shelters are facing a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities.
While shelter intakes have decreased, the reduction hasn’t provided a huge amount of relief for shelters. Many shelters are still dealing with long animal stays.
And despite fewer cats and dogs entering shelters, “live outcomes”—i.e., outcomes where an animal leaves alive, usually through adoption, return to an owner, or transfer—have also decreased, leading to ongoing capacity issues.
To better understand the key trends in the shelter system, ManyPets referred to data from the latest mid-year report provided by Shelter Animals Count, a non-profit devoted to shelter data reporting. (The report explores trends between January and June of 2024.)
In addition, ManyPets conducted a wide-ranging interview with Stephanie Filer, the organization’s Executive Director.
The Shelter Animals Count report found that shelter intakes decreased by 5% during the first half of 2024 (as compared to the same period last year). Nonetheless, the number of animals waiting for outcomes has grown significantly, with an increase of 75,000 dogs and 247,000 cats in just the first half of 2024.
So of all the dogs and cats who have entered organizations this year, 4% of those dogs and 13% of those cats remain in shelters. These extended stays add stress to both the animals and shelter staff, creating a difficult cycle to break.
What we've been seeing for the last four years is animals coming in being higher than the number of animals going out."
Filer emphasizes the urgency of the situation: “What we've been seeing for the last four years is animals coming in being higher than the number of animals going out,” she tells ManyPets.
Shelters are working tirelessly to find homes for their animals, but economic challenges and reduced resources—both within the community and in the shelters themselves—make this increasingly difficult.
Shelter adoption challenges: A closer look
Nearly 2.7 million cats and dogs experienced a live outcome between January and June of 2024, which is nearly 5% fewer than the same period in 2023.
Despite this decline, 82% of all intakes resulted in live outcomes in the first half of 2024, compared to 10 percent being non-live outcomes and 8 percent being unresolved. This keeps the overall outcome rate at around 92%, the same as the first half of 2023.
While this reflects the success shelters are having in finding positive outcomes, it also underscores the ongoing challenges and complexities they face in making sure that every animal gets the best possible chance.
The truth about cats and dogs
In 2024, both cat and dog intakes have decreased compared to previous years, but the details reveal key differences.
Adoption trends are more complicated than you might think
While both dog and cat adoptions decreased between 2023 and 2024, the trends are nuanced.
Dog adoptions dropped by 59,000 (5% less than last year), whereas cat adoptions fell by 23,000, a smaller 2% decrease. Over a longer timeline, the outlook for cats is more positive—since 2019, cat adoptions have increased by 17%, while dog adoptions have declined by 5%.
Traditionally, shelters have faced unique challenges finding forever homes for dogs—especially larger breeds. Larger dogs in shelters consistently take longer to be adopted than smaller or medium-sized dogs.
It’s more expensive to care for larger dogs than smaller dogs. Almost everything, from vet costs to food costs, is based on weight, and also there are a lot of rental housing restrictions for large dogs, and then a lot of different breed restrictions.”
As Filer explains, “it’s more expensive to care for larger dogs than smaller dogs. Almost everything, from vet costs to food costs, is based on weight, and also there are a lot of rental housing restrictions for large dogs, and then a lot of different breed restrictions.”
Still, owner surrenders certainly aren’t unique to large dogs—or even dogs in general. In fact, cats had a slightly higher proportion of owner surrenders than dogs during the first half of 2024.
Cat intakes in 2024
Cat intakes dropped by 5% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, meaning 85,000 fewer cats entered shelters. Compared to 2019, the decrease is smaller—just 2.5%, or about 40,000 fewer cats.
Let’s break this down:
Stray cat intakes: A significant factor in the decline is a nearly 7% reduction in the number of stray cats entering shelters.
Owner surrenders: While the total number of owner-surrendered cats dropped by 2% compared to last year, the proportion of cats surrendered by their owners has actually increased. In 2024, 33% of all cat intakes came from owner surrenders, up from 29% in 2019.
This suggests that while fewer cats are entering shelters overall, a large percentage are still being surrendered by their owners, pointing to potential challenges in pet retention.
Dog intakes in 2024
Dog intakes have also decreased, but with some key differences.
In the first half of 2024, dog intakes dropped by 4%, translating to 71,000 fewer dogs. Compared to 2019, the drop is more significant—nearly 9%, or 145,000 fewer dogs.
Stray dog intakes: Stray dog intakes have decreased by 6%, with 55,000 fewer stray dogs entering shelters. Strays still account for 56% of all dog intakes in 2024.
Owner surrenders: The number of owner-surrendered dogs dropped by 4%, or 22,000 fewer dogs. However, unlike cats, the percentage of dog intakes that are owner surrenders has remained steady at 31%.
The higher proportion of cat surrenders might simply be a result of the consistently higher adoption rates for cats over the past few years.
One other notable trend with dogs is a 3% increase in other types of intakes, like dogs seized by authorities or born in care. This added 7,000 more dogs to shelters compared to 2023. This rise in other intake types complicates shelter operations as they try to manage population sizes.
Why have stray intakes and owner surrenders decreased?
The trends in stray intakes and owner surrenders for both cats and dogs reveal several underlying factors.
A major reason for the drop in stray intakes is the resumption of spay and neuter programs, which were disrupted during the pandemic. These programs are now helping reduce the number of stray animals.
When it comes to owner surrenders, the picture is more complex. "Managed intake" protocols have become more common, requiring pet owners to schedule appointments to surrender animals. During these appointments, shelter staff offer resources like food or vet bill assistance to help pets stay in their homes. These efforts have had mixed success.
Filer acknowledges that the reasons behind certain trends aren’t always clear.
"The decrease in intakes is possibly a hopeful sign,” says Filer, “but the data that we don't know is, did the sheltering system still meet the needs of all of the animals with that decrease? Or was the decrease due to not being able to accept as many animals who would have needed sheltering?"
Perhaps a more important question is: What can be done to improve outcomes?
Community involvement: A crucial piece of the puzzle
Shelters are relying more than ever on community involvement.
From fostering to volunteering, community support has become a lifeline for many shelters. Volunteers, in particular, form the backbone of shelter operations, providing essential manpower to keep things running smoothly.
The decrease in intakes is possibly a hopeful sign, but the data that we don't know is, did the sheltering system still meet the needs of all of the animals with that decrease? Or was the decrease due to not being able to accept as many animals who would have needed sheltering?"
Foster programs and post-adoptive resources
When we say that volunteers hold shelters together, foster volunteers are often at the heart of that effort. Foster programs reduce overcrowding, give pets a calmer environment, and help them become more visible to potential adopters.
Effective foster programs significantly boost adoption rates. However, basic awareness of these programs remains low. According to a recent report from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the number of pet owners familiar with fostering programs dropped by 2% between 2023 and 2024, from 54% to 52%.
A major barrier is that many potential foster parents are unaware of the resources available to them, such as assistance with supplies.
Hill's report shows that 20% of potential foster parents don't participate because they think they can't afford it, yet more than 60% say they’d foster if pet care costs were covered.
Support from shelters: Building stronger outcomes
Shelters that provide robust resources to foster homes and post-adoptive families tend to see better outcomes.
"That's everything from training support to just getting a pet settled in their new environment and being very transparent about what to expect in the first couple of hours, days, and weeks," says Filer.
Unfortunately, these resources aren't always available.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many shelters are staffed by newer, less experienced employees, with fewer volunteers and funding that hasn’t kept pace with inflation.
The good news, Filer explains, is that shelters don’t necessarily need big budgets to improve outcomes. "The organizations that are able to do this well are usually the ones that have the manpower."
In other words, a strong volunteer network is crucial for success.
Trial adoptions: Easing the path to pet parenthood
Trial adoptions have proven to be another valuable strategy in increasing successful pet adoptions, Filer says.
By allowing potential adopters to take a pet home without the obligation to finalize the adoption immediately, shelters help alleviate the pressure that some people feel when adopting. This flexibility reduces the fear of failure and eliminates the stigma of returning a pet if it doesn't work out.
“There’s this fear of having to return a pet if it doesn't work out, so shelters want adopters to feel like they can do that because we can easily find another pet for them that's a better fit,” says Filer. “Trial adoptions have really taken that pressure off.”
This approach makes it easier for potential pet parents to see if a pet is a good match for their family without feeling locked into a decision.
Supported self-rehoming
Rehoming remains one of the most effective ways to alleviate stress on the shelter system.
It reduces the number of animals entering shelters, enabling these facilities to focus their resources on pets with no other options. By lowering intake numbers, shelters can provide more targeted care, improve the overall well-being of their animals, and ultimately increase adoption rates.
According to the Shelter Animals Count report, which refers to data from Rehome by Adopt a Pet™, supported self-rehoming has emerged as a powerful alternative to traditional shelter intake. In the first half of 2024, 1 out of 5 profiles created on Rehome by Adopt a Pet™ resulted in successful rehoming.
The individual pet owner, who's already a pet owner, is definitely taking advantage of these direct rehoming services, so the animal can avoid the shelter system altogether, and they can find a new home for their pet directly."
Self-rehoming has helped reduce the burden on shelters while offering pet owners more options.
“The individual pet owner, who's already a pet owner, is definitely taking advantage of these direct rehoming services, so the animal can avoid the shelter system altogether, and they can find a new home for their pet directly,” says Filer.
Marketing matters more than you think
Marketing—for lack of a better word—is a key tool in helping shelter pets find their forever or foster homes. But as the Shelter Animals Count mid-year report mentions, many shelters lack the resources to market pets effectively, leading to fewer outcomes and increasing shelter populations.
But what does "marketing" actually mean in this context?
It’s more than just posting cute photos online. Marketing for shelters is a demanding, creative process that involves crafting detailed profiles for animals and sharing them across multiple platforms. And unlike a traditional business, shelters can't control their "inventory."
As Filer points out, "We can't make more of a certain dog that's very popular. We can't have fewer of a certain dog or cat that maybe takes longer to adopt. And our inventory is changing every day."
This constant fluctuation makes it difficult to meet potential adopters’ specific preferences, especially when they’re looking for a particular breed, size, or age.
Adding to the challenge is competition from commercial breeders who can deliver pets quickly, often within 48 hours. This creates a significant obstacle for shelters trying to place the pets already in their care.
Another challenge is the sheer effort it takes to market a single dog or cat effectively.
It is very labor intensive to get a good picture, a good bio, a good understanding, even to spend time with an animal long enough to know what it needs in its next home and get it on all of the adoption sites and on social media."
"It is very labor intensive to get a good picture, a good bio, a good understanding, even to spend time with an animal long enough to know what it needs in its next home and get it on all of the adoption sites and on social media," Filer explains.
This requires time, effort, and sometimes specialized skills, which is why many shelters rely on volunteers, especially photographers and writers who help create compelling profiles for the animals.
Filer highlights the importance of strong volunteer programs, particularly those focused on photography, bios, and foster care.
Foster programs, in particular, offer a unique marketing angle: Animals in foster homes are often better socialized, and their foster parents can provide detailed insights into their personalities, making potential adopters more confident in their decisions.
Plus, foster parents can ease the marketing burden of other volunteers. "With robust foster programs, we can get a lot of great photos and great descriptions from those foster homes as well.”
“And when those foster homes are able to promote those animals to their own networks,” Filer adds, “then we can reach people who may not have been actively looking for a pet. Or maybe the right animal hits their social media feed, or they see the dog with the adopt-me vest out walking in the community."
Be part of the solution: How you can help shelters in 2024
The future of animal shelters depends not only on innovative approaches and shelter staff but also on the active involvement of pet parents and communities. Whether you’re considering adopting, fostering, or simply volunteering your time, there are many ways to make a difference in the lives of shelter animals.
Adopting a pet from a shelter is one of the most direct ways to help. By giving a dog or cat a loving home, you’re not only providing that animal with a second chance, but you’re also freeing up valuable space in the shelter for another animal in need. And if adoption isn’t an option, fostering is another impactful way to help. (Just make sure you snap great pics along the way.)
Volunteering your time can also make a significant difference. Many shelters rely on volunteers to assist with daily operations, from walking dogs and cleaning kennels to helping with adoption events.
And finally, donating to local shelters—whether it’s money, supplies, or your time—can have a lasting impact. Shelters often operate on tight budgets, and donations help provide the resources necessary for medical care, food, and facility maintenance. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps improve the lives of shelter animals.
By getting involved, you can be part of the solution and help shelters continue their vital work. Whether through adoption, fostering, volunteering, or donating, your efforts can make a world of difference to the animals waiting for a second chance.
How pet insurance can help
If you’re thinking of adopting a shelter pet, insurance can be one tool at your disposal to make surrender less likely. That’s because pet insurance can help ease the financial burden of unexpected veterinary costs, making it easier for you to continue caring for your pet on your own.
“We do see that pet insurance can help with surrender prevention if people have emergencies or accidents covered by pet insurance,” says Filer.
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Pet insurance isn't always suitable for every adopted pet. For instance, many shelter pets have pre-existing conditions, which might not be covered by insurance. When it comes to putting shelter pets in their forever homes, volunteer support and community engagement still reign supreme.
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