Facts About Animal Shelters, like WIAR, Pet Overpopulation, and Pet Ownership. Please take a few moments and read over this page it may help you to understand our mission that much more. Source: ASPCA Pet Overpopulation *The average number of litters a fertile cat produces is one to two a year; average number of kittens in litters is 4-6. *The average number of litters a fertile dog produces is one a year; average number of puppies is 4-6. *It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the US; estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million. *Owned cats and dogs generally live longer, healthier lives than strays. *Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification. Pet Ownership *About 60% of all households in the United States have a pet.+ *About 60 million dogs and about 75 million cats are owned in the United States.++ *About 65% of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low cost. *The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. 15 - 20% of dogs are purchased from breeders, 10 - 20% of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues, and 2 - 10% are purchased from pet shops. *At least 20% of cats are acquired as strays. *Over 20% of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter. *The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for one year. *The average cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or cat is $400 to $700 annually. Animal Shelters *Approximately 8-12 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year and approximately 5-9 million are euthanized (60% of dogs and 70% of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state. *Less than two percent of cats and only 15-20% of dogs are returned to their owners. Most of these were identified with tags, tattoos or microchips. *25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred. *Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. 75% of owned pets are neutered.