What percent of euthanized dogs are pit bulls? A Comprehensive Guide

Facts about U.S. Animal Shelters:

The terms “humane society” and “SPCA” are generic; shelters using those names are not part of the ASPCA or The Humane Society of the United States. Currently, no government institution or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection movement. These are national estimates; the figures may vary from state to state.

Approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. We estimate that the number of dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 7.2 million in 2011. The biggest decline was in dogs (from 3.9 million to 3.1 million).

Each year, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats). The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 2.6 million in 2011. This decline can be partially explained by an increase in the percentage of animals adopted and an increase in the number of stray animals successfully returned to their owners.

Approximately 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year (2 million dogs and 2.1 million cats).

About 810,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners. Of those, 710,000 are dogs and 100,000 are cats.

*These estimates are based in part on Shelter Animals Count data and other known and estimated sources, 2019. These are national estimates based on data obtained from shelters and rescues; the figures may vary from state to state.

Did you know that based on statistics in 2022 that 40% of Pit Bull terriers/staffies in shelters are euthanized each year?

The Pit Bull is the most common dog breed (along with pit bull breed mixes) found in shelters in the United States. They are also the most abused, neglected, and the most euthanized. There’s simply not enough space in shelters, and the adoption rate for this breed is significantly lower at only 4%. These loyal, sweet dogs spend three times more time in shelters, waiting for a new home.

That said, its challenging to come up with accurate numbers as the definition of the breed is quite broad. These dogs are also often mislabeled! 75% of shelters get the dog labels wrong. Even animal experts like breeders and vets have trouble recognizing a breed and are correct only in a few cases.

That scorn persists even though many dogs labeled pit bulls — which isn’t a breed, but a category that includes American pit bull terriers and Staffordshire terriers — aren’t genetically pit bull-types at all. In fact, according to a new study, in animal shelters it persists in part because of that labeling.

Researchers at Arizona State University wanted to know how the negative pit bull label influenced dogs’ chances at adoption. The answer, in short: a lot. They found that pit bulls languish far longer at shelters, and potential adopters view them as much less attractive. The authors of the study, published in PLOS One, concluded that removing breed labels would be best for the so-called pit bulls seeking families, and for all shelter dogs.Advertisement

Those in the first group lingered in shelter cages for 42 days, compared with about 13 days for the second group. What’s more, potential adopters at the shelter who were shown unlabeled photos of the 30 dogs found them all equally attractive. That was further indication that the breed designation had probably made a big difference in the “pit bulls” shelter stay.Advertisement

Shelters typically identify dogs’ breeds based on information from owners or appearance. Some research indicates dogs labeled American pit bull terriers are the most prevalent breed at U.S. shelters, though one study found that half of those deemed pit bulls don’t have any pit bull-type DNA. Many end up among the 1.2 million shelter dogs euthanized each year.

In a separate study, Gunter’s team showed 15-second videos of shelter pit bulls and “lookalikes” to 51 potential adopters at the Arizona shelter. When the dogs in the videos were labeled, viewers ranked the lookalikes as more attractive. When the labels were removed, they ranked the pit bulls as more attractive.

This dog was nearly euthanized twice because he’s a pit bull. See his life now.