Animal Shelter Data
Intake, adoption, and euthanasia records by species and breed -- the dataset pet industry companies use for market sizing.
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Find Me This Data →Overview
What Is Animal Shelter Data?
Animal Shelter Data comprises intake, adoption, and euthanasia records organized by species and breed, collected from shelters and rescue organizations across the United States. This dataset is maintained and aggregated by Shelter Animals Count (SAC), a national database program of the ASPCA that has been gathering standardized animal sheltering statistics since 2012. The data tracks population flows—how animals enter facilities, outcomes (adoptions, returns to owner, transfers), and length of stay—providing the most comprehensive national view of animal welfare trends. Pet industry companies, veterinary organizations, and animal welfare advocates use this data for market sizing, trend analysis, and policy development.
Market Data
10 years (2012–2025)
Years of National Data Collected
Source: ASPCA/Shelter Animals Count
Nearly 14,000
Organizations Contributing Data (2025 Mid-Year)
Source: Shelter Animals Count
87.1%
Online Pet Reunification Success Rate (Dogs)
Source: ResearchGate
85.7%
Online Pet Reunification Success Rate (Cats)
Source: ResearchGate
Who Uses This Data
What AI models do with it.do with it.
Pet Industry Market Analysis
Companies conducting market sizing for pet adoption platforms, pet supplies, and veterinary services rely on shelter intake and adoption trends by species and breed to forecast demand and identify growth opportunities.
Animal Welfare Organizations & Policy Advocacy
National and local shelters use multi-year data to identify long-term patterns in capacity pressures, outcomes, and population flows to guide funding requests, operational improvements, and animal care policy decisions.
Veterinary and Animal Health Companies
Veterinary clinics and animal health AI vendors use shelter population and outcome data to understand health needs, predict adoption success factors, and develop technology solutions for shelter operations.
Academic and Behavioral Research
Researchers study adoption likelihood, animal behavior, and demographic factors (age, size, species) that influence shelter outcomes to advance animal welfare science and improve rehoming strategies.
What Can You Earn?
What it's worth.worth.
Dataset Access Tier
Varies
Shelter Animals Count provides free public access to aggregated national data via their National Animal Welfare Statistics Dashboard and annual reports. Commercial licensing or custom data pulls may carry different terms.
Data Contribution Model
No direct payment
Shelters and rescue organizations contribute data to SAC for free as part of the national standardized reporting system; participation enables access to benchmarking reports and industry insights.
What Buyers Expect
What makes it valuable.valuable.
Standardized Data Collection
Data must be collected using consistent definitions and formats across organizations; SAC emphasizes streamlined, automated processes to reduce errors and enable non-technical shelter staff to participate.
Species and Breed Specificity
Records must clearly categorize animals by species (dogs, cats, etc.) and breed to enable market segmentation and trend analysis by pet type.
Outcome Tracking
Complete intake-to-outcome documentation is essential—including adoptions, returns to owner, transfers to other organizations, and other dispositions—to provide accurate population flow analysis.
Longitudinal Coverage
Multi-year historical data allows buyers to identify long-term patterns, seasonal trends, and capacity pressures; SAC's decade of data provides the foundational benchmark.
Companies Active Here
Who's buying.buying.
Market sizing, demand forecasting, and product development for pet adoption platforms, veterinary AI solutions, and companion animal health products.
Benchmarking operations, identifying capacity challenges, and advocating for funding and policy changes based on national intake and outcome trends.
Using decade-long shelter data to influence animal welfare policy, funding allocation, and no-kill initiatives at local and national levels.
FAQ
Common questions.questions.
What exactly does Animal Shelter Data include?
Animal Shelter Data comprises intake records (animals entering shelters), adoption records, euthanasia records, and outcomes (returns to owner, transfers to rescue organizations, etc.), all organized by species and breed. The primary source is Shelter Animals Count (SAC), which aggregates standardized data from nearly 14,000 organizations nationwide.
How is this data collected and standardized?
SAC has developed streamlined, automated data collection processes designed for non-technical shelter employees. The organization emphasizes standardized definitions and formats across contributors, along with self-service analytics tools to democratize data access and usage within the animal welfare system.
Who are the primary users of Animal Shelter Data?
Primary users include pet industry companies conducting market analysis, animal welfare organizations optimizing operations, veterinary and animal health companies developing products and services, academic researchers studying adoption and behavior, and policy advocates using trends to influence funding and regulation.
How long has this data been collected, and is historical data available?
Shelter Animals Count began collecting data in 2012, providing a decade of national sheltering statistics as of 2025. This longitudinal coverage enables analysis of long-term patterns, seasonal trends, and capacity pressures. SAC provides both annual reports and a public National Animal Welfare Statistics Dashboard with historical aggregate data.
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