In 2022, the variety of cats and canines adopted from pet shelters in america remained just like the yr earlier than, with solely a small improve. Cat adoptions elevated greater than canines in 2022 in comparison with 2021. Knowledge from 24Pet’s ShelterWatch revealed traits in pet adoptions final yr. 24Pet is a software program supplier for animal welfare organizations.
Canine adoption numbers stood at 398,477 in 2022, a small improve over the earlier yr’s 393,712 canine adoptions. This represents a rise of roughly 1.2%.Â
Final yr, U.S. residents adopted roughly 2% extra cats than within the earlier yr. In 2021, 528,526 cats have been adopted from shelters, rising to 539,015 in 2022.
On the similar time the variety of each canines and cats taken into shelters decreased from 2021 to 2022, particularly when evaluating the ultimate months of each years.
Elements influencing pet inhabitants within the US
Final yr, the disaster of the lingering COVID-19 pandemic gave solution to considerations over inflation and battle. Provide chain disruptions lingered as properly. Pet meals costs elevated with inflation, whereas some pet house owners had bother discovering most popular manufacturers. With the decline of coronavirus instances got here calls for from employers that staff return to their places of work. These components collectively created challenges for pet house owners. However, america remained the world’s largest marketplace for canine, cat and different pet meals.
Within the 2021-2022 APPA Nationwide Pet Homeowners Survey, pet house owners in america responded that 54% of their family contained canines. Cats adopted, making their houses in 35% of households. U.S. pet house owners additionally stored freshwater fish (9%), birds (8%), small animals (5%), reptiles (4%), saltwater fish (2%) and horses (3%). APPA market analysis means that 70% of American households now embody a pet of some species.Â
Generational variations in pet possession
Between 2018 and 2020, APPA survey information means that millennials continued to extend their share of pet possession, because the hole between older and youthful generations grew. Millennials now make up 32% of all U.S. pet house owners, whereas child boomers have declined to 27% of the full. In 2018, millennials have been nonetheless the most important group at 31%, however child boomers made up 29%, and Gen X accounted for 26%.
In the meantime, the age group youthful than millennials, Technology Z, grew to 14% of the U.S. pet proprietor inhabitants in 2020. Gen X dropped to 24% in that yr.
Millennials have grown significantly in cat possession, growing from 30% to 34%, whereas solely growing one share level in canine possession. Millennials additionally elevated considerably in chicken possession, going from 36% in 2018 to 45% in 2020. However, canines are the best choice of pet amongst millennials. Eighty p.c of millennial pet house owners have canines. Canines additionally topped pet possession within the different age teams.
