Shelter Animals Count Releases 2026 Mid-Year Data Summary and New Interactive Data Explorer Featuring 10 Years of Analysis

NEW YORK - Shelter Animals Count (SAC), the national database for animal sheltering statistics and a program of the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®), has released its 2026 Mid-Year Data Summary, providing a national snapshot of sheltering trends through the first six months of the year. For the first time, the report is available through an interactive online experience, allowing users to explore more than a decade of shelter data by region, organization type, species, and age group.

The report reveals both encouraging progress and ongoing challenges across animal sheltering. While cat adoptions continue to reach record levels, shelters and rescues are experiencing increasing population pressure as more animals enter care than leave.

Key Findings from the 2026 Mid-Year Data Summary

• 3.7 million cats and dogs entered shelters and rescues, an increase of 72,000 animals (+2.0%) compared to the first half of 2025.
• Cat intake increased by 59,000 animals (+3.5%), accounting for nearly all of the national increase in intake, while dog intake remained relatively stable.
• 213,000 more animals entered shelters and rescues than left through adoption, transfer, reunification, or other outcomes, leading to a larger-than-usual increase in animals in care at mid-year.
• Cat adoptions reached 1 million, up 20,000 (+2.1%) from 2025 and 117,000 (+13.2%) compared to 2016, marking the strongest mid-year cat adoption performance in more than a decade.
• Dog adoptions totaled 1.1 million, but remain 72,000 adoptions below 2016 levels, leaving more adult dogs waiting for homes.
• Adult dogs account for 236,000 animals, or 66% of all dogs currently still in care and waiting for outcomes.
• 674,000 kittens entered shelters and rescues during the first half of 2026, continuing the sustained pressures associated with kitten season.
• 311,000 juvenile cats entered care, the highest mid-year total on record.
• SAC projects that approximately 7.4 million cats and dogs will enter shelters and rescues during 2026, including 3.8 million dogs and 3.6 million cats.
• Transfers remain 18.8% below 2016 levels, representing 117,000 fewer animals transferred, despite the fact that approximately 94% of transferred animals are ultimately adopted.

"For more than a decade, Shelter Animals Count has been the trusted source for national animal sheltering data," said Stephanie Filer, Vice President of Shelter Animals Count. "The new Mid-Year Data Explorer builds on that foundation by making our data more accessible and actionable than ever before. Whether organizations are exploring adoption trends, intake patterns, or opportunities to improve outcomes, this resource provides the reliable information they need to make informed decisions for the animals and communities they serve."

The report highlights opportunities for organizations looking to improve outcomes through adoption, foster care, transfers, return-to-owner, and return-to-field programs. As a national organization, the ASPCA collaborates with shelters and rescue organizations to help animals across the country.

"This data is vital to understanding the ongoing capacity issues shelters and rescues across the country are facing, revealing an increase in cat adoptions and continued challenges with moving dogs out of care and into loving homes," said Christa Chadwick, senior vice president of shelter services for the ASPCA. "By working alongside shelters nationwide through initiatives like The Rescue Effect campaign, we can help more animals find homes and as we recognize Adopt a Shelter Dog Month this October, we encourage the public to adopt from and support their local shelters."

Tools and Expanded Data Capabilities

The 2026 Mid-Year Data Summary highlights opportunities to improve outcomes through adoption, foster care, transfers, return-to-owner, and return-to-field programs. Organizations looking to strengthen their adoption efforts can explore SAC's Adoptions Checklist, a practical resource designed to help shelters and rescues identify and remove barriers to adoption.

The report is powered by Shelter Animals Count's ongoing work to refine its national estimation model, providing the most complete picture of animal sheltering trends possible. Drawing from data representing more than 13,000 shelters and rescues nationwide, SAC remains the field's most trusted and credible source of national animal sheltering data.

This national picture is only possible because thousands of organizations share their data with Shelter Animals Count. Their contributions enables a clear national view of sheltering trends and highlight where resources and support can have the most impact.

Dive into the full report and the data at https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/2026-mid-year-report/.

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About Shelter Animals Count

Shelter Animals Count, a program of the ASPCA, is a collaborative, industry-led organization formed by a diverse group of animal welfare agencies to create and share The National Database of sheltered animal statistics, providing facts and enabling insights that will improve animal welfare throughout the country. By relying on the strength of our robust dataset, SAC ensures that the trends we report reflect the realities that shelters and rescues are experiencing across the nation. Our data is trusted by thousands of organizations and industry partners because of its accuracy and the integrity of our analysis practices. Follow Shelter Animals Count on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. For further insights from Shelter Animals Count, view the 2026 Mid-Year Data Summary and the 2025 Annual Data Report.

About the ASPCA^®
The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For 160 years, we've been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation's first and leading animal welfare organization, we assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, our commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.