The 2024 'State of Shelter Pet Adoption' Report is Concerning News for Animal Shelters

A concerning new report has found that owning a pet might be less accessible than ever. According to the Hill’s Pet Nutrition State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report, income in 2024 has had a drastic impact on the number of pets being adopted. Which means that many animals are languishing in shelters instead of finding forever homes.

The mid-year study found that overall rates of adoption have been down this year.

This year has been rough for animal shelters. According to the study, shelters are taking 5 percent less dogs and cats this year than they did last year. Which might seem like a good thing, but adoptions are also down. Meaning that less animals are leaving shelters and shelters are having to turn animals away.

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In 2024, dog and cat adoption has gone down 4 percent (or about 82,000 pups) when compared to 2023. Dogs alone have gone down 5 percent (59,000 fewer) and cat adoption has gone down 2 percent (23,000 fewer).

These numbers would be upsetting in any scenario, but the reason why people are adopting less and less has to do with their wallets. The report states that financial concerns continue to be the number one reason why people aren't bringing home a pet. The survey found that people who make $75,000 or less were more likely to say that pet ownership exceeded their financial expectations and people in this pay range were more likely to surrender a pet for financial reasons.

Things get worse for people who make $50,000 or less. This group said that pet-related housing restrictions were likely to prevent them from getting a pet, and veterinary care costs were likely to impact them choosing to adopt.

Overall, most people said veterinary costs were a major barrier to pet adoption. "In fact, 84% of respondents identified veterinary care as the most expensive aspect of owning a pet," a press release from Hill's Pet Nutrition states.

However there is a way to make pet ownership more accessible to all — adoption. Pet adoption usually is much less costly than buying a dog from a breeder. And unlike buying a pet, shelters will usually cover the cost of spay/neuter fees, vaccines, and microchipping with the adoption fee. That fee can save new pet owners hundreds of dollars and can drastically reduce the expense for families. These services can also reduce an animal's chance of getting certain cancers and infections. While vaccines can prevent serious illnesses. Adoption can also relieve the pressure on shelters, which have too many animals and not enough room.

“Everyone deserves the joy of having an animal companion, regardless of income,” Stephanie Filer, Executive Director of Shelter Animals Count, explained in the press release. “But when budgets feel tight, financial fears can discourage people from welcoming a pet into their home."

"Fortunately, adopting a pet from a shelter is often the most cost-effective way to add a pet to your family," she added, before driving home that if you're thinking of getting an animal, adoption is the best way to go. "By adopting a pet, you not only save a life, you save a lot of money, which leaves more in your budget for future pet care costs.”

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