What the data reveal
Shelters are not the only source for pet adoptions. However, they are the most common. This in mind, and knowing that it is difficult to find data on pet acquisitions from non-shelter sources (and in some cases nonexistent), shelter data can be used as a guide for what might have happened to pet populations during the pandemic.
If we examine transactional data from animal shelters it is possible that pandemic pet adoptions were not as dramatic as media portrays. Based on data from more than 4,000 shelters, 2020 saw the lowest number of pet adoptions in five years. 24PetWatch2 & Best Friends Animal Society3 estimated that there were 2.3 million pet adoptions in 2020 (46% dogs, 54% cats), compared to approximately 2.8 million in 2019 (49.5% dogs, 50.5% cats). This is nearly 450,000 less animals adopted in 2020 than it was in 2019.
This is because there were fewer animals to choose from. Shelters had 32% fewer dogs and 23% fewer cats. People were less likely to surrender their pets and animal control was less active in rescuing stray animals. Spay-neuter programs are effective in keeping the population down. It took longer to adopt a pet in the pandemic. The pandemic resulted in fewer pet adopters, as virtual adoption appointments were replaced by physical visits. The result was that the adoption rate, or percentage of pet owners who adopted a pet, increased but that the number of pets adopted fell substantially as well as a pets vet shortage.
Early 2020 Packaged Facts data shows that most dogs purchased before COVID-19 restrictions were obtained from shelters or welfare organizations (32%), then closely followed by adoptions from family members or friends (31%), and finally from breeders (19%). Although new owners of dogs purchased more pets from breeders in 2021, due to the amount of time required to breed new litters, breeders are unlikely to be able to provide additional puppies during peak demand periods of March through July 2020. This is national data. Local experiences might differ.
Packaged Facts data is consistent with the information provided during the Animalytix 2021 Midyear Market Update5.5 M/A/R/C Research conducted a market survey and found that 32% of pet owners would welcome a new pet during a pandemic. Shelters or rescues (29%) and family or friends (24%), were the top three sources for new pets, followed by pet shops (22%). Animalytix experts also pointed out that pets adopted from friends or family are not necessarily new pets, but are re-homed pets. Many shelter pets are also re-homed. This is consistent with the idea that the U.S. did not see an extraordinary increase in the number of cats and dogs in 2020.
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