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Kanab Today
By the People, for the People
New Data Shows Sharpest Drop in U.S. Animal Shelter Deaths Since 2020
Best Friends Animal Society Reports Four Million Dogs and Cats Found Homes in 2025
Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:23pm
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The growing momentum to end unnecessary animal shelter deaths is reflected in the warm, intimate moments between pets and their potential adopters.Kanab TodayAccording to data from Best Friends Animal Society, the number of dogs and cats killed in U.S. shelters dropped by 34,000 in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking the sharpest decline in five years. Four million pets found homes, moving the country closer to achieving 'no-kill' status, where every healthy and treatable animal is saved.
Why it matters
This data shows significant progress in the movement to end the unnecessary killing of dogs and cats in shelters across the U.S. The increase in adoptions, fostering, and community-based programs has helped drive down the number of shelter deaths, which is a key goal for animal welfare organizations like Best Friends Animal Society.
The details
The number of dogs killed in shelters decreased by 8.5% from 2024 to 2025, translating to nearly 20,000 additional dogs finding homes. This was the first time the number of dog deaths has decreased since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges for shelters. Meanwhile, a record-high 83% of cats that entered shelters were saved in 2025, with Best Friends attributing much of this progress to community-based kitten fostering, community cat programs, and increased adoption demand from Gen Z.
- In 2025, the number of dogs and cats killed in U.S. shelters dropped by 34,000 compared to 2024.
- From 2024 to 2025, the number of dogs killed in shelters decreased by 8.5%.
- In 2025, a record-high 83% of cats that entered shelters were saved.
The players
Best Friends Animal Society
A leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America's shelters and making the entire country no-kill. The organization runs lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 6,000 shelters and rescue organizations.
Julie Castle
CEO of Best Friends Animal Society.
What they’re saying
“2025 was a turning point for animal sheltering in the U.S., and the data shows an undeniable momentum for the movement to end the killing of healthy, treatable pets in shelters.”
— Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society
What’s next
Best Friends Animal Society and its network of 6,000 shelter and rescue group partners will continue working toward the goal of ending the unnecessary killing of dogs and cats in shelters and making the entire country no-kill.
The takeaway
The significant drop in animal shelter deaths and the increase in adoptions and community-based programs demonstrate the progress being made in the movement to end the unnecessary killing of healthy and treatable pets. This data shows that when pet lovers, shelters, and rescue groups work together, they can save more lives and move closer to a no-kill nation.
