95 million
U.S. companion animal reference
U.S. Pet Care and Shelter Statistics: 2026
Current figures on pet ownership, spending, and shelter outcomes, collected in one place for pet guardians, writers, and animal-care organizations.
Last reviewed October 5, 2026. Each figure links to its original source.
The numbers below describe the U.S. companion-animal landscape. They do not describe individual animals or guarantee any outcome. For a missing pet, pair compassionate support with immediate, practical search action.
Pet ownership
Companion animals are part of everyday American life.
71 million
U.S. households owned a dog in 2025.
53 million
U.S. households owned a cat in 2025.
163.5 million
Pet dogs and cats were estimated to live in the U.S. in 2024.
Dog and cat ownership rates in 2025
53%
Of U.S. households owned a dog in 2025, up from 51% in 2024.
39%
Of U.S. households owned a cat in 2025, up 5% year over year.
The American Veterinary Medical Association's 2022 ownership table reports that 42.6% of U.S. households owned dogs and 32.6% owned cats. Read the AVMA ownership data.
Pet spending
Care, products, and services remain a substantial household priority.
$158 billion
U.S. pet industry spending in 2025.
$165 billion
U.S. pet industry spending projected for 2026.
$42.4 billion
Projected 2026 spending on veterinary care and product sales.
$14.9 billion
Projected 2026 spending on services outside veterinary care, including boarding, grooming, insurance, training, sitting, and walking.
How household pet budgets shifted in 2025
22%
Of pet owners reported spending less on their pets in 2025, a 10% increase from 2024.
4.4%
Projected full-year U.S. pet-industry growth for 2026, with roughly 2% attributed to inflation.
Shelter outcomes
Current shelter figures show both care in action and ongoing pressure on animal-welfare systems.
5.8 million
Dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters and rescues in 2025, including 2.8 million dogs and 3 million cats.
4.2 million
Shelter animals were adopted into homes in 2025.
638,000
Dogs and cats were returned to their owners or the field in 2025.
597,000
Animals were euthanized in shelters in 2025, an 8% rate according to the ASPCA's national data.
How animals entered shelters and rescues in 2025
59%
Of dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters and rescues came in as strays.
30%
Of dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters and rescues were surrendered by their owners.
Method and sources
How to use this page.
Figures are linked to the original publisher and retain the reporting year shown beside each source. This page is refreshed when a key source publishes updated data.
Primary sources
- American Pet Products Association, U.S. pet industry data
- American Pet Products Association, current industry spending detail
- American Veterinary Medical Association, U.S. pet ownership statistics
- American Veterinary Medical Association, pet population trend data
- ASPCA, U.S. animal shelter statistics
Suggested citation: “U.S. Pet Care and Shelter Statistics: 2026,” Lindsey Latham International Pet Psychic, reviewed October 5, 2026. https://lindseylatham.com/pet-care-statistics
Read the Lost Pet Location Protocol →