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The world we want tomorrow is one where no pets are homeless
At Mars Petcare, we have an ambition to End Pet Homelessness. It’s at the heart of our Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. We want to make a better world for all pets, not just the ones we serve.
Yet dogs and cats continue to live on the street without the sustained care and nutrition they need to thrive, or in shelters without a home of their own.
To understand the scale of the problem and the reasons for pet homelessness by country, we partnered with a team of leading animal welfare experts and organizations to develop the State of Pet Homelessness Index.
State of Pet Homelessness Index
220 million
Estimated number of shelter, street or stray dogs and cats in the 9 countries indexed so far
20 million
Estimated cats & dogs in shelters
110 million
Estimated street or stray cats
90 million
Estimated street or stray dogs
EXPLORE THE INDEX
Using data from more than 200 global and local sources boosted by quantitative research on widespread attitudes, the Index measures the scale of pet homelessness and identifies the top factors in each country influencing why cats and dogs become, or remain, homeless.
Select a country below to explore the data
Germany
United Kingdom
United States
Mexico
Greece
South Africa
China
India
Meeting the Challenge
Discover a range of programs working to End Pet Homelessness around the world and learn how you can make a difference.
Better Cities for Pets
Helping to build more pet-friendly cities to keep people and pets together.
FIND OUT MORE
Pedigree Foundation
Dedicated to helping dogs in need find loving homes.
FIND OUT MORE
Banfield Foundation
Fun programs that provide veterinary care and disaster relief for pets in need.
FIND OUT MORE
What do you want to do?
Get involved
and make a difference
Have data that would help improve the Index? Get in touch
Driven by our Purpose
Here are some of the ways our Mars Petcare Associates are helping to End Pet Homelessness:
Catalina Ocampo is a Cat and Dog Methodology Specialist based in Mars Petcare Mexico. She visits schools to teach students the importance of responsible pet ownership.
READ MORE
Brent Mayabb from Royal Canin US, volunteers at local vaccination clinics to give vulnerable people access to preventive care for their pets.
READ MORE
Anton Fennema from AniCura Netherlands travels all the way to Suriname to run an affordable spay and neuter clinic for dog and cat owners alongside other volunteers.
READ MORE
United Kingdom Index Details
Select Country
Estimated homeless cats and dogs
1.1 million
Estimated street or stray cats
970k
Estimated street or stray dogs
67k
Estimated cats and dogs in shelters
42k
7
Index Score
Score Scale:
Number of cats and dogs on the street or in shelters
0
10
0=High
10=Low to nil
6.5
All Pets Wanted:
Stray Populations & Responsible Breeding
6.5
All Pets Cared For:
Pet Adoption & Access To Care
8.1
All Pets Welcome:
Pet Ownership Barriers & Policies
Data Highlights
The UK data shows potential pet owners actively plan and research before owning a dog, which is driving the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score for the country up. In the UK, 56% of respondents report researching what it is like to own a dog before getting one, slightly higher than the global average of 49%.
The Index data for the UK shows a high number of complaints about stray animal activity such as aggressiveness or noise is bringing the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score for the country down. In the UK, nearly 1 in 3 (32%) of pet owners also say they think stray dogs are a danger to their pet.
UK Index data shows 70% of the general population would consider adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue center compared to the global average of 67%. This attitude towards adoption and shelters is helping drive the overall ‘All Pets Cared For’ score up.
The UK data shows 1 in 5 people in the general population feel they would not be able to find their preferred pet in a shelter. This is contributing to bringing the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score for the UK down.
The Index data for the UK shows the country’s existing legislation protecting animals against cruelty and abuse has a positive impact on the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score, driving it up.
UK Index data shows prohibitive rental agreements that don’t allow pets are bringing the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score for the country down. More than 6 in 10 (63%) believe it is difficult to own a dog when you live in an apartment, and 5 in 10 (51%) believe the same is true when you own a cat.
South Africa Index Details
Select Country
Estimated homeless cats and dogs
4.1 million
Estimated street or stray cats
1.7 million
Estimated street or stray dogs
1.7 million
Estimated cats and dogs in shelters
650k
4.0
Index Score
Score Scale:
Number of cats and dogs on the street or in shelters
0
10
0=High
10=Low to nil
3.5
All Pets Wanted:
Stray Populations & Responsible Breeding
3.6
All Pets Cared For:
Pet Adoption & Access To Care
5.0
All Pets Welcome:
Pet Ownership Barriers & Policies
Data Highlights
South Africa data shows above-average sterilization rates, which help with reproduction control of companion animals and is driving the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score up.
South Africa Index data shows poor rabies control. The country suffers from high rates of canine rabies which has not yet been eradicated in the country. In addition, there is no robust national rabies control program. This is bringing the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score for the country down.
South Africa data shows the population has a strong familiarity with shelters and rescue centers and a higher-than-average percentage of the population who would consider adopting from shelters or rescue centers (77% of the general population would consider adopting from a shelter in the future, compared to the global average of 67%). This is driving up the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score in South Africa.
Index data for South Africa shows there is a high perceived cost of veterinary care (49% of the general population list cost as a key reason they do not take their pet to the vet, compared to the global average of 30%). This is bringing down the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score in South Africa.
South Africa data shows a high perceived effectiveness of programs promoting pet adoption and fostering, connecting potential owners to shelters and rescue centers, and raising awareness of the benefits of having a pet which is driving the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score up.
South Africa data shows housing and space concerns are bringing down the country’s ‘All Pets Welcome’ score. 53% of South Africa’s general population agreed it is difficult to find a rental home when you own a dog and 44% say the same when you own a cat.
Mexico Index Details
Select Country
Estimated homeless cats and dogs
7.6 million
Estimated street or stray cats
1.4 million
Estimated street or stray dogs
4.6 million
Estimated cats and dogs in shelters
1.6 million
3.9
Index Score
Score Scale:
Number of cats and dogs on the street or in shelters
0
10
0=High
10=Low to nil
4.2
All Pets Wanted:
Stray Populations & Responsible Breeding
4.1
All Pets Cared For:
Pet Adoption & Access To Care
3.4
All Pets Welcome:
Pet Ownership Barriers & Policies
Data Highlights
Mexico data shows a 97% rabies vaccination rate – higher than the global average of 85% which is driving the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score up.
Index data shows Mexico has a slightly lower sterilization rate of dogs at 57% compared to the global average of 61% which is bringing the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score down.
Index data shows Mexico has a higher-than-average cat and dog ownership rate (72% versus 59% globally). It also shows 62% of people expressed interest in fostering a cat in the future, rising to 77% with an interest in fostering a dog. Both of these are driving the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score for Mexico up.
Data shows that a higher than average proportion of the population in Mexico list limited veterinarians near me or limited access to a veterinarian with good facilities or reputation as reasons for not taking their pet to the vet, bringing the ‘All Pets Cared For’ down.
Mexico data shows lower-than-average perceived cost associated with buying or adopting a pet, which drives the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score up.
Mexico data shows an above-average rate of rehoming of pets which is bringing the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score down.
Greece Index Details
Select Country
Estimated homeless cats and dogs
3 million
Estimated street or stray cats
2 million
Estimated street or stray dogs
693k
Estimated cats and dogs in shelters
135k
5.4
Index Score
Score Scale:
Number of cats and dogs on the street or in shelters
0
10
0=High
10=Low to nil
5.9
All Pets Wanted:
Stray Populations & Responsible Breeding
4.9
All Pets Cared For:
Pet Adoption & Access To Care
5.3
All Pets Welcome:
Pet Ownership Barriers & Policies
Data Highlights
Greece Index data shows a high recognition of the benefits and positive experience of pet ownership with over 90% of pet owners agreeing they have had a positive pet ownership experience. This helps to drive the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score up in Greece.
Index data for Greece shows a high prevalence of stray populations, with 71% of the general population stating they see a stray cat at least once a day, and 45% stating they see a stray dog at least once a day. The data also shows a lower-than-average concern with removing stray cats from the streets and taking care of them. This is currently bringing the country’s ‘All Pets Wanted’ score down.
Index data for Greece shows a higher-than-average percentage of the population would consider owning a dog in future - 57% of people in Greece report considering dog ownership, compared to the global average of 52%. This is helping to drive the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score for in Greece up.
Greece Index data shows a lower general awareness of local animal shelters and rescue centers – 41% of people in Greece report knowing of a pet shelter or rescue center near them compared to the global average of 54%. This is currently bringing the country’s ‘All Pets Cared For’ score for in Greece down.
Greece Index data shows current awareness of initiatives from charities, governments and companies to help address pet homelessness. This is helping drive the country’s ‘All Pets Welcome’ score up.
Index data for Greece indicates perceived challenges with renting with a pet which are bringing the country’s ‘All Pets Welcome’ score down. In Greece nearly half (49%) of people say it is difficult to find a rental home that allows a dog.
Germany Index Details
Select Country
Estimated homeless cats and dogs
2.06 million
Estimated street or stray cats
2 million
Estimated street or stray dogs
<1,000
Estimated cats and dogs in shelters
60k
8.6
Index Score
Score Scale:
Number of cats and dogs on the street or in shelters
0
10
0=High
10=Low to nil
8.9
All Pets Wanted:
Stray Populations & Responsible Breeding
8.8
All Pets Cared For:
Pet Adoption & Access To Care
8.1
All Pets Welcome:
Pet Ownership Barriers & Policies
Data Highlights
The Index data for Germany shows that 85% of respondents conducted extensive pre-purchase research before getting a dog. This high consideration for the needs and requirements of pet ownership is helping drive the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score for the country up.
German Index data shows nearly half (47%) of the general population believe that rabies and ticks are present and a concern for their pet where they live. This contributes to bringing the country’s ‘All Pets Wanted’ score down.
The Index data for Germany shows strong familiarity with local shelters and rescue centers is driving the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score up. 70% of those aware of shelters know of one in their neighborhood, compared to the global average of only 54%.
German Index data shows that there are current perceptions about adopting specific breeds that are bringing the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score for the country down.
German Index data shows the country’s strong federal legal structure protecting animals against cruelty and abuse is driving the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score for the country up.
The Index data for Germany indicates that practical concerns about owning a cat or a dog - such as time, training or overall commitment – is driving down the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score. Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) of German respondents report they wouldn’t consider owning a dog because it is too much of a commitment.
China Index Details
Select Country
Estimated homeless cats and dogs
75 million
Estimated street or stray cats
52 million
Estimated street or stray dogs
20 million
Estimated cats and dogs in shelters
3 million
4.8
Index Score
Score Scale:
Number of cats and dogs on the street or in shelters
0
10
0=High
10=Low to nil
4.3
All Pets Wanted:
Stray Populations & Responsible Breeding
4.7
All Pets Cared For:
Pet Adoption & Access To Care
5.5
All Pets Welcome:
Pet Ownership Barriers & Policies
Data Highlights
China’s Index data shows a higher rabies vaccination rate, with 96% of pet owners and caregivers reporting they have vaccinated their pet for rabies (compared the global average of 85%). This is helping drive the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score in China up.
China data shows 70% of the population believe that stray dogs are a danger – which is higher than the global average of 45%. These public perceptions and perceived concerns around stray dog populations are bringing the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score in China down.
The Index data for China shows a higher-than-average interest in owning or fostering a cat - 48% of people in China would consider owning a cat compared to only 43% globally. This is helping to drive its ‘All Pets Cared For’ score up.
Index data for China shows current stigmas exist around adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue center – 42% of people in China say they would not be able to find their preferred pet in a shelter (compared to only 23% globally), while 57% think stray dogs are aggressive (versus 34% globally) and 50% think the same about stray cats (versus only 27% globally). These perceptions are currently bringing the country’s ‘All Pets Cared For’ score down.
China’s Index data shows a high desire for and consideration of local pet amenities, such as veterinarians, groomers and parks which drives the country’s ‘All Pets Welcome’ score up.
China’s Index data shows less strong animal welfare legislation and policy. It also reveals a lack of space and housing limitations are current barriers to pet ownership in China – 55% of respondents said it’s difficult to find a rental home that allows you to own a dog, and 53% said the same for owning a cat. These factors are contributing to bringing down the country’s ‘All Pets Welcome’ score.
India Index Details
Select Country
Estimated homeless cats and dogs
80 million
Estimated street or stray cats
9.1 million
Estimated street or stray dogs
62 million
Estimated cats and dogs in shelters
8.8 million
2.4
Index Score
Score Scale:
Number of cats and dogs on the street or in shelters
0
10
0=High
10=Low to nil
2.7
All Pets Wanted:
Stray Populations & Responsible Breeding
1.9
All Pets Cared For:
Pet Adoption & Access To Care
2.6
All Pets Welcome:
Pet Ownership Barriers & Policies
Data Highlights
India data shows 78% of pet owners report treating their pet for ticks, compared to the global average of 76%. This helps drive up the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score for India up.
The Index data for India reveals a high prevalence of stray populations which is bringing the country’s ‘All Pets Wanted’ score down. Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of the population says they see a stray cat at least once a week while nearly 8 in 10 (77%) say they see a stray dog as frequently.
The Index data for India shows a higher-than-average willingness to own or foster a cat or dog which drives the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score up in India. Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) of India’s general population said they would consider owning a dog, compared to the global average of only 5 in 10.
India data shows 61% of people report that they do not visit the vet for practical reasons such as distance, reputation of the establishment or facilities. This is significantly higher than the global average of 32% and is bringing the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score for India down.
The India data shows that initiatives from charities, governments and companies to help address pet homelessness are perceived as effective and are helping drive the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score for the country up.
The Index data for India shows a perception that the costs associated with having a pet in the country are high - 47% of people surveyed in India report having abandoned or rehomed a cat citing cost (veterinary and/or food) as the reason for relinquishment. This perception is contributing to bringing down the ‘All Pets Welcome’ score for India.
United States Index Details
Select Country
Estimated homeless cats and dogs
48 million
Estimated street or stray cats
41 million
Estimated street or stray dogs
1.3 million
Estimated cats and dogs in shelters
5.4 million
6.4
Index Score
Score Scale:
Number of cats and dogs on the street or in shelters
0
10
0=High
10=Low to nil
5.9
All Pets Wanted:
Stray Populations & Responsible Breeding
6.3
All Pets Cared For:
Pet Adoption & Access To Care
7.2
All Pets Welcome:
Pet Ownership Barriers & Policies
Data Highlights
The Index data for the USA shows that roaming and stray populations are perceived to be slightly less of an issue in the USA compared to the global average. Only 23% of respondents say they see stray cats at least once a day, compared to 26% globally. This is helping drive up the country’s ‘All Pets Wanted’ score.
The USA Index data shows a high concern amongst the general population around rabies, ticks and other conditions – 35% of the general population believe that rabies, ticks and other conditions are a problem in their area. This is bringing down the ‘All Pets Wanted’ score for the USA.
The USA Index data reveals a higher willingness to adopt a cat or dog from a shelter than seen in other countries, which is driving the country’s ‘All Pets Cared For’ score up. The data shows more than 6 in 10 (63%) respondents in the US say they would consider adopting from a shelter.
However, USA data shows there is overall a slightly lower interest from the general public in owning or fostering a dog or cat in the future which is driving the ‘All Pets Cared For’ score down. Only 48% of respondents say they would consider owning a dog in the future, compared to the global average of 50%.
The Index data for the USA shows a high desire for neighborhoods to have sufficient pet amenities, which is helping drive the country’s ‘All Pets Welcome’ score up. More than half (57%) of dog owners and 4 in 10 (41%) cat owners say they believe it is important their neighborhood has pet amenities like groomers.
The USA Index data shows 56% of respondents who currently care for a dog in their community, but do not own one, state cost as the reason why they are unwilling to own a dog. This perception is currently contributing to bringing the USA ‘All Pets Welcome’ score down.
Expert Advisors
Our Advisors
The State of Pet Homelessness Index was developed by Mars Petcare in partnership with leading animal welfare experts.
Claire Bessant
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
International Cat Care
Claire Bessant has been Chief Executive of International Cat Care for over 25 years. Over that time the charity has developed evidence-based, pragmatic, cat friendly solutions to a wide range of issues, taking into account human behavior change, understanding of cats themselves, the position of cats within the human environment, the issues which affect cat welfare, and insight into the relationship people have with cats.
Claire’s early work years for the British Veterinary Association in its publishing department laid the foundation for the development of the charity’s veterinary division, the International Society of Feline Medicine, and publishing of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, leading to a growing international membership of vets interested in cats and accreditation of Cat Friendly Clinics.
Claire has always enjoyed collaborative working, such as is required to tackle problems associated with unowned cats - to understand the global issues and develop a range of pragmatic solutions which can be used in different individual situations.
Brenda N. Bonnett, DVM, PhD
FOUNDER AND VETERINARY SCIENCE OFFICER
International Partnership for Dogs
A veterinarian and epidemiologist – Dr. Brenda Bonnett spent several years in practice and was a tenured Associate Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. She is now a Consulting Epidemiologist and CEO of the non-profit International Partnership for Dogs (IPFD) a multi-stakeholder, collaborative organization to enhance the health, well-being and welfare of dogs, and support human-dog interactions.
Academic achievements include over 87 peer-reviewed publications and 5 book chapters across a wide array of disciplines. Supervised 12 doctoral and 10 master students and served on numerous graduate student committees in several countries. Brenda has received an honorary doctorate by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
Consultations include work with shelters, welfare, and regulatory organizations, national kennel clubs and veterinary organizations. She facilitated a workshop on accessible veterinary care and is a frequent speaker at local, national, and international venues to breeders, show judges, veterinarians, researchers and others.
Joyce Briggs
PRESIDENT
Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs
Joyce Briggs, MS, has worked full time in management positions in animal welfare for more than 25 years, with a special passion for effective, humane population control of companion animals. She has been President of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs since 2008, where she works to advance non-surgical alternatives to control dog and cat populations.
Joyce was previously Executive Director of PetSmart Charities, where she guided investment in innovation for high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter approaches and redistribution of shelter pets. Joyce also worked with the American Humane Association to develop and launch the first marketing materials for pediatric sterilization. As a consultant to Banfield Pet Hospital, Joyce helped create an Animal Shelter Advisory Board and helped with an industry transition to an ISO-standard microchip reader.
Locally, Joyce is co-founder of and active with the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland, Oregon, which has completed more than 100,000 cat spays for low-come owners in less than 10 years, increasing the regional save rate to 96%. Passionate about peer-to-peer pet foster, Joyce is a strategic advisor to 911Fosterpets. Joyce has a Master’s degree from Northwestern University.
Jeffrey Flocken
PRESIDENT
Humane Society International
Jeffrey Flocken is the President of Humane Society International. In this capacity he leads the organization’s animal welfare work in over fifty countries, fighting to protect and conserve wildlife, companion animals, laboratory animals and farmed animals around the globe through direct-care, policy change, education, and campaigning.
Before this appointment, Flocken worked as the North American Regional Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and for the U.S. federal government as an International Affairs Specialist. Flocken has served as a consultant on numerous movies, books and television shows addressing animal topics. Flocken currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jaguar Conservation Fund, the GRACE Gorilla Sanctuary, the Jackson Wild Film Festival, and the Steering Committee for the IUCN Tapir Specialist Group.
Flocken is also the co-founder and board co-chair of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders initiative which mentors and provides training for up-and-coming leaders in the wildlife field. He is the co-author of the award-winning book Wildlife Heroes.
Elly Hiby, PhD
DIRECTOR
The International Companion Animal Management (ICAM) Coalition
Dr. Elly Hiby is the Director of the International Companion Animal Management (ICAM) Coalition and an independent animal welfare consultant. Her recent work with the ICAM Coalition is focused on affordable and meaningful impact assessment of dog population management interventions.
Previously she worked at Dogs Trust as International Director, and before that, at the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA; now World Animal Protection) for eight years, including leading on the companion animal welfare program and advising on humane dog population management and rabies control internationally. She has also worked as a technical expert with the World Animal Health Organization (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on dog population management.
It was through her work with WSPA that she first came into contact with the Alliance for Contraception of Cats and Dogs (ACC&D) and subsequently joined their board of directors, and is now board Chair. The ACC&D works as a catalyst for the successful introduction of methods to non-surgically sterilize dogs and cats.
Ellen Jefferson, DVM
PRESIDENT AND CEO
American Pets Alive!
Ellen Jefferson, DVM, is the President and CEO for Austin and American Pets Alive! and serves on the Executive Team for the Human Animal Support Services Project, an international collective of shelter industry leaders, moving government Animal Services to become Human Animal Support Services.
Dr. Jefferson has had a diverse career in rural, urban, private, emergency and shelter practice, founding EmanciPET spay/neuter clinic and leading Austin’s successful efforts to become the largest No Kill City in the United States. She authored “Using Data to Make Austin a No-Kill City,” published by Maddie’s Fund, as well as work in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine.
Among her many awards, she was unanimously chosen to receive the first Avanzino Leadership Award, given for outstanding contributions to the No Kill movement. She serves on the National Steering Committee for Best Friends Animal Society, the Shelter Advisory Council for Pedigree Foundation, and the North American COVID-19 Response Coalition.
John Rawlings
GLOBAL HEAD OF WELFARE & ETHICS
WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute, Mars Petcare
John is a Physiology graduate of Glasgow University (BSc, MSc) and Manchester University (PhD), with additional postdoctoral experience in pharmaceutical toxicology. He joined WALTHAM in 1994 studying many aspects of the nutritional management of canine and feline health and disease states. John has a long-standing interest in animal welfare and ethics in a research environment and currently is Head of Welfare & Ethics for Mars Inc. and a member of the WALTHAM Leadership Team.
John is a member of The Physiological Society, The Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) and the Universities Federation of Animal Welfare (UFAW). He served two terms on the British Veterinary Association Ethics and Welfare Group and two terms as secretary to the Animal Welfare and Wellness Committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Currently, John has over 100 publications, 41 of which are full peer-reviewed papers, with 13 of these having first authorship.
Andrew Rowan PhD
PRESIDENT
WellBeing International
Dr. Andrew Rowan has more than 40 years of experience in animal welfare science and in animal and environmental advocacy. He has served on many government and corporate consultative committees, on numerous Boards of national and international NGOs and most recently served as the CEO of Humane Society International for 20 years and as the Board Chair of the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust.
Dr. Rowan was a professor at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine where he established the Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy, launched an academic journal on human-animal relations (Anthrozoos), launched the first Master’s degree in the world on animals and public policy (1995), and served for several years as Chair of the Department of Environmental Sciences.
He has authored or co-authored numerous books and over one hundred academic papers on animal research and alternatives, on companion animal demographics and management, on humane wildlife management and on human-animal interactions. He is a recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship and has received numerous awards for his work.