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Four states (Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) have achieved no-kill status, with 8 more within 500 animals
Source: Best Friends Animal Society (2025)
Best Friends Animal Society. (2025). Best Friends Animal Society. As cited in Cat Cognition. https://catcognition.com/statistics/shelters/#us-no-kill-states-2024
2.2 million
Approximately 2.2 million cats were adopted from US shelters in 2024
Shelter Animals Count (2025)
273,000
273,000 cats were euthanized in US shelters in 2024
Shelter Animals Count (2025)
188,000
188,000 cats were killed in US shelters in 2024, a 10.5% decrease from 2023 and the lowest on record
Best Friends Animal Society (2025)
2.6 million
Cats achieved 2.6 million live outcomes in 2024, up 1% from 2023
Shelter Animals Count (2025)
