BREAKING DOWN COVID MYTHS

As we approach the 5-year anniversary of the start of COVID, many will be reflecting on the lasting implications of the pandemic. One common theme that rose from 2020 was the phenomenon of the pandemic pet, and its subsequent fall from popularity due to factors including the return to the office.

But how much of this is actually true? Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters, is setting the record straight - using data collected from over 7,900 shelters and rescue groups - when it comes to these common misconceptions:

Myth #1: Everyone adopted a COVID pet
False: Adoptions from U.S. animal shelters actually declined during COVID, and still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, approximately 2.6 million dogs and cats were adopted from shelters, but since 2020 adoption numbers have dropped to 2.2-2.3 million per year.

Myth #2: All those pandemic pets were surrendered after COVID
False: The proportion of pets entering shelters as owner surrenders has remained stable since before 2019, with owner surrenders making up about 19-21% of all pets that entered shelters from 2019-2024.

Myth #3: Shelters are more overwhelmed now than ever before due to COVID pet surrenders
False: Shelters have been overcrowded since before COVID and continue to be. However, the number of pets entering shelters has remained below 2019 numbers for the last five years – in 2019, approximately 5.5 million dogs and cats entered shelters, and in 2023 that number had dropped to 4.8 million. As a result, fewer pets are being killed in shelters – in fact, Best Friends’ data shows the number of pets killed in shelters actually fell by over 25% since 2019. While owner surrenders aren’t the biggest challenge for shelters right now, municipal budget constraints, staffing shortages, and housing and economic issues continue to create barriers to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters.

“There’s no doubt that pets played a crucial role in helping many of us get through the loneliness and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society.

“But contrary to popular belief, pet owners in the U.S. have continued to love and care for their dogs and cats even as the world evolves and recovers from the pandemic, and we’re happy to be able to share the data to prove it. However, there is still plenty of work to be done, and Best Friends is working with our Best Friends Network of over 5,000 shelters and rescue groups as well as legislators, animal welfare advocates, and communities around the country to address these challenges and take the country no-kill.”

The Best Friends Network is comprised of thousands of public and private shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations and other animal welfare organizations in all 50 states. They are a community committed to saving the lives of dogs and cats through collaboration, information-sharing and implementation of proven lifesaving strategies. The network partners support each other and inspire their own communities to increase lifesaving across the country. To learn more about Best Friends Network, please visit bestfriends.org/network

Founded in 1984, Best Friends Animal Society is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to 415,000 last year. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 5,000 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org