11 Facts About Animal Homelessness (2024)

FAQs

What are some facts about pet homelessness? ›

In the U.S., 20 percent of cats and dogs are homeless; there are 5.9 million dogs living in the streets, 2.3 million dogs in shelters, 35 million cats living on the street, and 2.1 million cats in shelters.

The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds them on the street.

Nationally, up to 10% of homeless people have pets, according to an estimate from the advocacy group Pets of the Homeless. Stewart believes that number is greater. Homeless shelters often don't allow pets, forcing people to make heart-wrenching decisions.

Did you know that only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home? Homeless animals outnumber homeless people 5 to 1. Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren't enough adoptive homes.

New research shows the global scale of pet homelessness estimating there are almost 362 million homeless cats and dogs across 20 countries studied. Project launched by global coalition of leading animal welfare experts in partnership with Mars, with the shared ambition to end pet homelessness.

Stray dogs and cats wandering the streets can carry zoonotic diseases like rabies and toxoplasmosis. Moreover, they can cause property damage or environmental contamination. When feeling threatened, they may display aggression, leading to potential harm to humans and other animals.

Noun. A stray person or animal. stray. foundling.

The average life of stray dogs is between 3.5 to 4 years. There are several causes of their deaths. It mainly includes accidents on roads and railway tracks, not getting enough food, drinking polluted water, getting tumors anywhere in the body, and often after getting beaten up by humans.

While unhoused individuals with pets undoubtedly experience additional hardships as most support resources are not available to those living with a companion animal, many will refuse assistance if it comes with a condition of giving up a beloved pet.

Why do so many homeless have dogs? ›

A Sense of Purpose: For many people experiencing homelessness, their animal companion is more than just a pet; they are a lifeline that imbues their lives with meaning and purpose. In a world that can often feel devoid of compassion, the affection and loyalty of a pet provide a comforting presence that many rely on.

Despite taking in fewer animals, shelters are killing more of them, according to that same survey. In 2022, 10.9% of animals were euthanized. In 2019, it was 10.5%, according to the 2022 Shelter Animals Count national database.

The fate of abandoned pets is almost always tragic. While some pets are picked up by animal shelters, the authorities or taken in by people who find them, many are not so lucky, and they must live on the streets in constant fear forced to take care of themselves.

Globally, at least one animal is abused every 60 seconds. Close to 10 million animals die from abuse or cruelty annually in the United States. Laboratories across the country abuse and kill over 110 million animals each year for experiments, including chemical, cosmetic, food and drug testing.

Every year, 6.5 million dogs, cats, and other former pets are abandoned or lost and enter shelters. But of all these animals, only 3.2 million are adopted and many see shelters again after less than a year of finding a new home. Deciding to adopt a pet is an enormous responsibility.

Homeless pet owners use their pets to facilitate socialization, getting their owners out to local vet clinics and parks where they interact with other pet owners. Many homeless pet owners regard their pet with a high degree of attachment and report lower levels of loneliness with pet ownership.

Approximately 8-12 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control.

For decades, stray and feral cats have presented animal welfare groups with several ecological, economic, and ethical problems. Yet, the issue of unowned cats has always been a community concern. Currently, it is estimated that there are between 60 and 100 million stray and feral cats in the United States.

Of course, stray animals also pose a threat to pets. Parasites and highly contagious diseases such as canine distemper, parvovirus enteritis and feline AIDS are readily spread across the community by these animals. Dog and cat fights and unwanted pregnancies further add to the equation.