Within the latter half of 2023, pet adoptions declined when in comparison with the identical months in 2022. On the similar time, the variety of pets surrendered to shelters additionally fell, in keeping with knowledge from animal shelter knowledge administration company Shelterwatch, previously PetPoint. For instance, in December 2023, pet shelters reported 140,129 outcomes, which incorporates each adoptions and fostering. In December 2022, that quantity stood at 170,060. Intakes additionally declined from December 2023 (138,502) to December 2023 (109,524). Total, from July by December, each intakes and outcomes declined. If the decline in adoption charges corresponds to the US pet possession peaking or stagnating, the pet meals trade may face challenges.
Shelter Outcomes 2022 vs. 2023
January
- 2023: 161,491
- 2022: 150,309
February
- 2023: 138,487
- 2022: 135,395
March
- 2023: 156,173
- 2022: 153,344
April
- 2023: 144,106
- 2022: 147,132
Might
- 2023: 161,531
- 2022: 157,704
June
- 2023: 177,898
- 2022: 177,690
July
- 2023: 179,440
- 2022: 194,937
August
- 2023: 169,800
- 2022: 195,564
September
- 2023: 151,800
- 2022: 179,837
October
- 2023: 152,891
- 2022: 182,638
November
- 2023: 140,619
- 2022: 172,829
December
- 2023: 140,129
- 2022: 170,060
Shelter Intakes 2022 vs. 2023
January
- 2023: 148, 564
- 2022: 140,038
February
- 2023: 132,598
- 2022: 130,666
March
- 2023: 161,767
- 2022: 158,780
April
- 2023: 161,830
- 2022: 168,913
Might
- 2023: 197,538
- 2022: 194,103
June
- 2023: 193,903
- 2022: 198,943
July
- 2023: 164,364
- 2022: 188,082
August
- 2023: 158,920
- 2022: 198,751
September
- 2023: 147,880
- 2022: 185,057
October
- 2023: 145,401
- 2022: 179,918
November
- 2023: 125,548
- 2022: 163,229
December
- 2023: 109,524
- 2022: 138,502
Penalties of a declining or stagnant pet inhabitants
Shelter knowledge offers one of many few sources of latest knowledge about pet populations in the US, since personal gross sales of canines, cats and different pets aren’t reported publicly and different inhabitants estimates received’t be obtainable till later within the yr. A declining or stagnant pet inhabitants in the US may problem the pet meals trade in the US and different developed markets worldwide.
One apparent consequence can be a discount within the general demand for pet meals and treats. A diminishing pet inhabitants straight correlates with a decreased want for pet diet. This decline in demand may drive pet meals producers to reassess their manufacturing volumes and stock administration methods. Corporations could must streamline their operations to align with the lowered market measurement, probably resulting in cost-cutting measures. As seen in 2023, growing pet meals gross sales worth could likewise elevate revenues regardless of falling or stagnant volumes. Nonetheless, pet house owners’ willingness to pay extra could attain a restrict, even for superpremium merchandise.
In the long term, a stagnant or declining pet inhabitants may intensify competitors amongst pet meals producers. With a smaller market to cater to, corporations would vie for a bigger share of the pie, probably triggering value wars and heightened advertising efforts to seize the eye of the remaining pet house owners.Â
