The latest data from Best Friends Animal Society reveals encouraging news for animal welfare advocates in the United States. The number of cats euthanised in shelters has reached its lowest level ever recorded. This statistic highlights significant progress in efforts to rescue and rehome pets, particularly in the period between 2024 and 2025, when over 34,000 animals were saved from euthanasia due to space constraints.
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The announced figures demonstrate that not only has the number of cats decreased, but there has also been a noteworthy decline in the euthanasia rates of dogs, which dropped by more than 8% within the same time frame. This overall reduction contributes to a broader trend of decreasing pet deaths in shelters — the sharpest year-on-year decline since 2020.
According to the report, 2025 saw about 4 million dogs and cats successfully adopted from shelters across the nation. This considerable achievement moves the U.S. closer to the status of a “no-kill” country, a designation given when at least 90% of animals entering shelters are saved. Best Friends Animal Society points out that typically, only about 10% of shelter pets suffer from medical or behavioural issues severe enough to prevent rehoming.
In this latest data, over two-thirds of U.S. shelters managed to achieve no-kill status, demonstrating the effectiveness of various initiatives aimed at improving animal welfare. The significant reduction in deaths, particularly in relation to euthanasia for space, reflects a concerted effort across communities to rescue healthy animals.
From 2024 to 2025, the total number of dogs euthanised dropped by 8.5%, equating to roughly 20,000 dogs saved. In a further positive sign, 83% of cats entering U.S. shelters were preserved, marking the lowest recorded figure of cats euthanised since the monitoring began.
The successes noted in this year’s statistics can be attributed to innovative programmes designed to improve outcomes for shelter pets. The rise in kitten fostering initiatives, along with community cat programmes and a growing interest in pet adoption among younger generations, has played a crucial role in these advancements.
Julie Castle, the CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, emphasised the vital role of collaboration within the animal welfare community. “2025 was a turning point for animal sheltering in the U.S., and the data shows undeniable momentum for the movement to end the killing of healthy, treatable pets in shelters,” she remarked. This statement encapsulates the ongoing dedication of pet lovers, shelters, and rescue groups working in tandem to save lives.
In comparison to previous years, 68% of shelters in the country achieved no-kill status last year. Castle noted that for those shelters that currently have not reached this milestone, nearly half of them have fewer than 100 additional animals to save in order to be classified as no-kill. This statistic gives hope for future progress.
Castle’s remarks underscore the principle that collective effort yields tangible results. “This is a clear example of what happens when pet lovers, shelters, and rescue groups work together to save lives,” she stated, reiterating that the momentum seen in recent years is not a coincidence, but rather a result of synergistic actions among various stakeholders in the animal welfare sector.
The trends observed offer a beacon of hope for animal advocates and suggest a bright future where fewer pets will die unnecessarily in shelters. The commitment to animal welfare continues to grow, and with each new statistic, the resolve to achieve a no-kill status nationwide becomes increasingly attainable. The animal welfare community is looking forward to building on this progress in the years to come, working towards the ultimate goal of ensuring every pet finds a loving home.