In 2024, the University of Florida completed its annual comprehensive census, marking the first time 100% of Florida’s 153 animal shelters provided intake and outcome data.
- Increased Live Outcomes: The live outcome rate improved to 88% (up from 85% in 2023), signaling a modest but important recovery from post-pandemic declines
- Rising Intake, Fewer Euthanasias: Despite growing admissions of both dogs and cats, euthanasia numbers dropped significantly compared to a decade ago: 110,579 fewer cats and 39,432 fewer dogs were euthanized in 2024 than in 2013
- Persistent Challenges for Cats: Cats continue to outpace dogs in intake (202,722 vs. 150,860) and lag behind in live outcome rates (86% vs. 89%). Notably, Return-to-Field (RTF) contributed to one in five live outcomes for cats
- Geographic Disparities: Rural counties experienced higher per capita intake and euthanasia rates, particularly in the Panhandle and central Florida, underscoring unequal access to services
The challenges faced by Florida shelters following the pandemic reflect those of shelters nationally, including pressure to take in more animals, declining local adoptions, and decreased transports to regions with historically more adoption capacity. As a result, animals are staying in shelters longer, often in crowded and stressful conditions, and euthanasia increased. It’s a relief to see some signs that positive change may be on the way.
Read the complete report here and find shelter-level data here.