The year began on a positive note for shelters and rescue facilities looking after homeless cats. Most regions of the country reported significantly lower rates of cat surrenders in 2024 compared to 2023 and 2022, with approximately 340,000 cats surrendered to shelters by December of the previous year, as per Shelter Animals Count’s intake database. This news follows a notable increase in pet ownership, with reports of more households welcoming furry companions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Around 1 in 5 households, roughly 23 million households, adopted a cat or dog since the start of the pandemic, according to 2021 data from ASPCA. Despite the decrease in surrenders in 2024, many of these pandemic pets may still be in search of their forever homes. While the reasons for the decline in adoption rates and rise in surrender rates are complex, several key factors are at play. As social distancing measures eased and economic conditions fluctuated, adoption rates slowed down, placing many shelters in a challenging position.
Pet ownership entails significant responsibilities, including financial ones. The average cat owner spends approximately $1,149 per year on their feline companions, according to the ASPCA. Combined with the increase in households burdened by rent and the decline in purchasing power for many Americans, some pet owners may have reconsidered their decision to adopt during the pandemic. While there is no concrete data on the number of people rehoming or surrendering pets due to financial constraints, some individuals had to relocate to homes that did not allow pets. In certain cases, animal shelters had to temporarily halt accepting surrenders due to reaching full capacity.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on pet adoption and surrenders, the number of surrendered pets appears to be decreasing. Meowtel conducted an analysis using data from Shelter Animals Count’s Intake and Outcome Database to examine the changes in cat surrenders across states from 2021 to 2023.
Cat surrender rates vary significantly across the United States, with some states experiencing higher surrender rates linked to unemployment and poverty levels. For instance, Nevada, which had the highest unemployment rate in the country at 5.4% in the third quarter of 2024, witnessed a 5.8% rise in surrender rates between 2021 and 2023. Similarly, New Mexico, with a higher unemployment rate compared to other states at 3.7%, recorded a 5.6% surrender rate. Both states also had a notable percentage of residents living below the poverty line.
North Dakota and South Dakota exhibited remarkably high cat surrender rates at 17.6% and 15.5%, respectively. Despite declining employment rates in the Dakotas, the surge in surrenders could be attributed to various factors. North Dakota was rated the worst state for animal protection laws in the 2023 U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report by
Dakota shelters may be experiencing an influx of animals attributed to a combination of factors, as reported by Lexa Rahn, the events coordinator for Rescue Network in South Dakota. In the year 2020, there was a surge in demand for pets which led to an overpopulation issue stemming from breeders. Concurrently, there has been an increase in pet surrenders due to the escalating costs associated with caring for them. Lexa Rahn shared these insights with Dakota News Now.
For individuals facing the difficult decision of surrendering a beloved pet, feelings of shame may arise, even though it is often a measure of last resort. The act of surrendering a pet is typically laden with intense emotional distress, akin to the grief experienced when losing a family member. Therefore, it is crucial for those in such circumstances to begin the rehoming process as early as possible, as finding the right placement can be a time-consuming endeavor, sometimes taking weeks or longer. Ensuring that the pet is spayed or neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations can enhance its chances of being rehomed successfully.
To facilitate the rehoming process, individuals can leverage their network of family and friends, as well as local community boards, to spread the word. Additionally, utilizing resources such as the Adopt-A-Pet rehoming tool can assist in connecting the pet with a new, loving family. In cases where surrendering the pet is the only viable option, reaching out to the nearest Humane Society, ASPCA, or animal shelter is recommended. Some shelters now mandate surrender appointments, so it is advisable to schedule in advance and ensure to bring along vaccination records and any pertinent health information. While certain facilities may require a surrender fee to cover initial intake costs, there are often groups, such as local Humane Society chapters, willing to accept pets free of charge.
The narrative has been crafted based on the original story featured on Meowtel and developed in collaboration with Stacker Studio. The story was edited by Alizah Salario, with additional editing conducted by Elisa Huang. Copy editing was overseen by Kristen Wegrzyn, and photo selection was managed by Ania Antecka.
