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1. Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.
2. The main reason animals are in shelters: owners give them up, or animal control finds
them on the street.

3. Homeless animals outnumber homeless people 5 to 1.
4. Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters
are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes.
5. Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every
year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs, and 3.4 million are cats.

6. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NSCPPSP), less
than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners.

7. 25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.
8. About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are
relinquished by their owners.
9. It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States.
Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.

10. Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered.
Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce,
sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.
11. Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with
identification.

12. There are estimated to be 13,600 animal shelters in the US.
13. According to the American Humane Association, the most common reasons why people
relinquish or give away their dogs is because their place of residence does not allow pets
(29%), not enough time, divorce/death and behavior issues (10% each). The most
common reasons for cats are that they were not allowed in the residence (21%) and
allergies (11%).

As the “One Tail at a Time” application process expanded, we saw that even though we had
clearly stipulated our shepherd’s specific attributes and needs, we received odd responses who
said they could provide such conditions after returning for 8-10 hours a day at work! Other
applicants placed too much emphasis on their philosophies of crating for long periods, or leaving
him alone in an apartment setting for hours. Exactly the opposite of what we were seeking for
the best possible interests of the dog who was enduring a major disruptive event to his life. The
exercise fanatics had their say, claiming they would be running him alongside their bikes on the
roads 3 to 5 miles a day! Can you say cripple? The vagaries of human nature aside, including
trying to convince parents of tiny tots that they would be much better served with a golden
retriever who would probably tolerate endless mauling and hair tugging that might a more
serious minded working class dog, it is interesting to see how we can be oblivious to facts as we

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