Between Cats And Dogs, One Gets Adopted More In CA

CALIFORNIA — Nearly the same number of dogs and cats have entered shelters and rescues over the last two years. But according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) one is clearly more popular for those looking to adopt.

In 2024, 200,000 more cats were given new homes nationwide in 2024.

In California, the number of both intakes and transfers out of shelters and rescues for cats indeed outnumbered dogs in 2024.

According to Shelter Animals Count data, facilities in California took in a total of 701,573 cats and dogs in 2024.

The report shows community intakes of animals, along with those transferred in from people who are forfeiting their pets, as well as those that were successfully placed into homes or fostered. In California, there are 1,631 total organizations to help with finding homes for orphaned pets, with 1,338 rescues and just 293 animal shelters.

The number of pets returned to shelters or rescues is daunting.

In 2024 a total of 336,965 felines were placed in the rescue or shelter system (this number, down 5.53 percent from 2023). The numbers show that 53,212 cats were transferred into the rescue and shelter system, and of those, 41,189 were adopted out. According to the report, there is a population balance of 100.9%, leaving a gap of zero.

As for dogs, there were a total of 365,608 community intakes into the rescue and shelter system. Of those, 72,567 were transferred into the system, and only 64,370 were adopted or fostered out. The population of dogs transferred out was 99.3%, with a gap of about 2,903 unadopted dogs lingering in the shelter and rescue system.

Though it is close, the numbers are clear: Cats are being chosen over dogs in so many cases.

According to the ASPCA, the length of time that specifically large breeds of dogs are staying in shelters has increased over the last five years. Forbes data suggests this can be tied to outside economic influences like inflation and tariffs, driving up the cost of having a larger animal.

The presence of pets in American households continues to grow among younger generations, with millennials making up 33 percent of all owners nationwide. Of all Gen Z and Millennial households with at least one animal, 75 percent own two or more. In a Forbes Advisor survey of more than 10,000 dog owners, the most common answer to a question regarding a favorite dog breed was "no breed in particular is my favorite." One of the most common reasons why owners reported that they surrendered a dog to a shelter was due to the financial burden of taking care of it.

According to the ASPCA, shelters nationwide are also in a capacity crisis right now. More animals staying longer, staffing and veterinarian shortages and a rise in the number of animals with heightened medical and behavioral needs is straining the system.

"With so many shelters struggling to find homes for the animals in their care, animal welfare organizations and their communities need to continue working together to keep pets in loving homes and out of shelters while also removing the barriers that prevent many people from adopting. This includes finding ways to increase access to veterinary care and advocating for pet-friendly housing policies," adds Matt Bershadker, president and CEO of the ASPCA.

In 2024, an estimated 2.2 million cats were adopted, 362,000 were returned to their owner or the field, 273,000 were euthanized and 369,000 were moved to other organizations nationwide. As for dogs, two million were adopted, 554,000 were reunited with their owner, 334,000 were euthanized and 524,000 were taken to other organizations.

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The ASPCA is continuing to work directly with shelters, and is pioneering behavioral rehabilitation programs to help facilities treat challenged animals. The direct work with shelters also extends to strengthening medicine programs and training to help professionals utilize tools and methods that improve animal welfare. The organization is also the largest transporter of shelter cats and dogs in the nation, moving more than 20,000 animals across 40 states annually.

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