The current state of animal sheltering: myths vs. facts. Overall animal shelter intake trends for cats and dogs are similar to 2018 and 2019, which means the system is recalibrating back to pre-pandemic intake levels. Owner surrenders are slightly lower, while stray intake is slightly higher. Shelters are about to be packed with kittens, just as they are every kitten season. Good news: cats and kittens are faring better, with more live outcomes in general and record adoption numbers. Bad news: Dogs are faring worse, with about 50,000 more dogs euthanized in 2023 than in 2022 and dogs experiencing a longer length of stay. There is a continuous bottleneck of dogs that started during the pandemic and has not levelled off which means shelters are packed with highly adoptable dogs and puppies waiting for homes. In other words, more dogs are entering than leaving shelters, which ultimately increases euthanasia. The root causes of negative trends for dogs are likely twofold: First, there has been an increase in online puppy sales, which are responsible for a higher percentage of overall new dog acquisitions proportionate to a decrease in the percentage of new dog acquisitions from shelters and rescues. Second, there has been a marked decrease in dog transport (moving dogs from high population areas to places where there are more adopters than available dogs and puppies). Third, we restricted adoption access, volunteer, and foster programs at the beginning of the pandemic and have not entirely re-opened our doors. What will 2024 bring? If what we're seeing so far is accurate, 2024 will be much like 2023 unless we can accomplish the following: 1. Increase transport numbers back to pre-pandemic levels; and 2. Rebuild foster and volunteer programs to pre-pandemic levels; and 3. Make it faster, easier, and more fun to adopt a rescue or shelter pet so we can compete in today's customer-focused pet acquisition market; and 4. Invest more heavily in outcomes staff positions (lost pet reunification specialists, adoption counselors, foster coordinators, volunteer coordinators, and rescue/transport coordinators. While number one is somewhat complex, numbers two through four can be easily accomplished in most every community. We have more control than we think over the number of animals that live and die in 2024 but we have to take swift action to implement proven solutions.
Amber Emanuel
7mo
Where do you get data that shows where people are acquiring dogs? Also, could transports have decreased because receiving shelters aren’t adopting out dogs either? And, some states (like PA) have new laws that went into effect at the beginning of the year regarding quarantining dogs that come on transport…be interesting to see if this decreases transports into PA.
Victoria Brooks
7mo
Walmart is selling their route optimization software. Might be helpful for animal transport. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-14/walmart-wants-to-sell-its-ai-software-to-other-retailer
Victoria Brooks
6mo
I wonder if the puppy sales are increasing by the younger generations. I’ve heard uncomfortable feedback from several 20 something’s that they don’t want “damaged dogs” because they deserve better. Like it’s a Starbucks mocha instead of living beings. Just wondering where’s the disconnect that people are buying from puppy mills instead of adopting.
Caitlin Wark
7mo
A lot of my friends are buying purebred dogs instead of adopting because they want big dogs and in the past their dogs were neutered or spayed so early it caused their dogs to tear their Cruciates, which is a huge cost to owners- this information has gotten around. Paying a little more for the dog upfront may be worth it to them, then having to pay a huge cost they didn't see coming- I just don't know a way around this issue, because spay and neuter is such a huge part of animal sheltering and reducing the population. Just something I think about when it comes to helping raise the adoption rates.
Jon Olson
6mo
If rescue organizations and their supporters came together a a single, massive group, and served as advocates for smart public policies, they could then pressure state legislatures and Congress to take meaningful action against those who abuse, abandon, or otherwise cause harm to dogs and cats. Imagine the powerful lobby that could be created if all who cared about cats and dogs in America banded together to make things right? Imagine what could be done to improve outcomes for all companion animals... It would require every rescue organization to understand they are part of a much greater whole. That their organization is but one of thousands trying to save cats and dogs from being killed--not euthanized, which is absolutely the wrong term--because they are inconvenient. A unified pursuit of smart public policy to end puppy mills, to stop on-line dog and cat sales, to go after the AKC for their advocacy of rules and standards that harm dogs, and so many other issues--including how animals must be treated by their "owners". I really hate that term "owner" because it gives people the idea that dogs and cats are mere objects rather than living creatures. It's a deep responsibility, caring for a dog or cat, not to be taken lightly.
Victoria Brooks
6mo
I asked Chat-GPT to solve the problem of people buying rather than adopting and here's what it said: You've got folks eager to welcome a new furry member into their family, There's this massive, shadowy industry that's kinda exploiting that desire. . First off, let's talk about the allure of puppy mill. The truth is, these places have a knack for presenting themselves in a way that's super appealing to potential dog owners. They've got websites that are slicker than a greased pig, showing off pups that look like they've just waltzed off the set of a pet food commercial. It's all sunshine, rainbows, and adorable puppy eyes that could melt the coldest heart. You get sucked in by the cuteness overload, and before you know it, you're hitting the 'Buy Now' button. Many folks going through these online mills are looking for specific breeds or designer dogs—you know, the ones that come with fancy names and even fancier price tags. There's this perception that certain breeds have certain characteristics, like hypoallergenic coats, specific sizes, or temperaments that are marketed as ideal for families. It's like ordering off a menu: "I'll take one pint-sized pooch with a side of minimal shedding, please. 1/of I'm not sure how many.
Sharon Bice
7mo
Kristen, increase spay and neuter of all kinds, especially low-cost or free is missing from this list. We have a solution to helping decrease the burden of needing more help (#1-4) it’s spay/neuter! My #1 would be significant larger public and private investment for low-cost or free spay and neuter. And also investment in non-surgical sterilization research. We wouldn’t need so many more people to help with adoptions, keeping in homes, transport, etc… if we had less dogs and cats to help.
Patricia Darquea
6mo
SB 573 | Micro Chip Law | California Broken Bill Far too many animals are being unnecessarily killed at the highest rate, since the California system is broken. Gavin Newsom signed this bill into law, however, there isn’t a agency to monitor the microchipping process. To date, every animal shelter in California is overpopulated by animals who have not been chipped. Microchipping a pet should be mandatory. If, a pet is lost or stolen, shelters can safely return missing pets to the rightful owners. So, who is holding shelters, breeders or owners responsible? No one! According to SB-573 provisions, the death rates would not be as excessive if animals were chipped, so why are so many pets in these shelters? And why are rescue teams having such difficulty to intervene? Perhaps, the system doesn’t want it to change?? Millions of cats, dogs, rabbits etc. are victims to this viscous cycle of euthanasia… Again, just because a law maker create a bill, doesn't mean it works. The system is broken... This unnecessary killing of animals needs to stop. Perhaps, when our law makers pass #Bowieslaw & take SB 573 Bill seriously, the excessive killing of innocent animals will stop!
Gary Hoskie
7mo
Also stopping the sale of dogs at pet shops may help.
Let Me Make It Easy For You
7moPLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP IGNORING A HUGE PART OF THE PROBLEM FOR DOGS --- i.e., pet unfriendly rental housing policies. If you can't have a pet over 25 pounds and/or must pay a $300 - $500 non-refundable pet deposit plus $25 per pet monthly pet rent, you can't afford to have a dog! I wrote a detailed issue brief on this initially a dozen years ago. See the updated version, https://sharonlawrence.substack.com/p/issues-and-answers-9-strategies-to.