United States
United States Index Details
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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.