95 million
U.S. households owned at least one pet in 2025.
That is the broadest current ownership figure in APPA’s 2026 State of the Industry release.
American Pet Products Association, 2026 State of the Industry release, March 26, 2026 ↗For the animal people ♥
U.S. PET & ANIMAL WELFARE DATA
Animal Welfare & Pet Ownership Statistics
A handy, sourced snapshot of the numbers behind America’s big-hearted relationship with pets, from the homes they live in to the shelters working hard to help them.
Last updated September 29, 2026. Each figure links to its original source.
THE SHORT VERSION
Pets are family. The numbers show it.
These are national U.S. figures, selected for readers who want a clear, current reference. They do not describe every local shelter or every animal’s story, but together they offer a useful view of the people and organizations doing the loving work.
PET OWNERSHIP & SPENDING
The animal-loving household, by the numbers.
71 million
U.S. households owned a dog in 2025.
Dog ownership reached 53% of U.S. households, up from 51% in 2024.
American Pet Products Association, 2026 State of the Industry release, March 26, 2026 ↗53 million
U.S. households owned a cat in 2025.
Cat ownership reached 39% of U.S. households, a 5% increase from the prior year.
American Pet Products Association, 2026 State of the Industry release, March 26, 2026 ↗$158 billion
was spent in the U.S. pet industry in 2025.
APPA reported a 3.7% increase over 2024 and projected $165 billion for 2026.
American Pet Products Association, 2026 State of the Industry release, March 26, 2026 ↗SHELTERS & RESCUES
A national picture of sheltering in 2025.
5.8 million
dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters and rescues in 2025.
Community intakes were 2% lower than in 2024, according to the national Shelter Animals Count data.
Shelter Animals Count 2025 Annual Data Report, February 4, 2026 ↗4.2 million
dogs and cats were adopted from U.S. shelters and rescues in 2025.
Total adoptions increased 0.7% from 2024.
Shelter Animals Count 2025 Annual Data Report, February 4, 2026 ↗638,000
animals were reunited with their families in 2025.
Return-to-owner outcomes declined 3% from 2024. Stray dogs were six times more likely to be returned than stray cats.
Shelter Animals Count 2025 Annual Data Report, February 4, 2026 ↗757,000
dogs and cats had non-live outcomes in U.S. shelters and rescues in 2025.
The figure was 1% lower than in 2024, with dog outcomes down 5% and cat outcomes up 4%.
Shelter Animals Count 2025 Annual Data Report, February 4, 2026 ↗A NOTE ON THE NUMBERS
Useful facts deserve careful context.
National totals are not a scorecard for any single community. Shelter Animals Count combines reported data with national estimates, and local conditions can vary widely. The best next step for someone ready to help is still wonderfully simple: connect with a local shelter or rescue, then adopt, foster, volunteer, donate or spread the word.
METHODOLOGY & SOURCES
Where these statistics come from.
American Pet Products Association
Ownership and spending figures come from APPA’s 2026 State of the Industry release, based on the 2025 National Pet Owners Survey.
Read the March 26, 2026 source ↗Shelter Animals Count, a program of the ASPCA
Sheltering figures come from the 2025 Annual Data Report, drawing on nationwide data submitted by shelters and rescues.
Read the February 4, 2026 source ↗CITING THIS PAGE
Suggested citation: Your Feelings Are Showing, “Animal Welfare & Pet Ownership Statistics: 2026 U.S. Snapshot,” updated September 29, 2026.
When quoting a number, please link to this page and the original source listed with that statistic.
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