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2021 Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics Report

Published Dec 25, 2021 at 5:00am

In order to improve the welfare of companion animals, sheltering organizations need to track information about the animals in their care and make evidence-based decisions. Information about the number of animals in shelters and what the outcome is after they are admitted is also important to the animal welfare community and the public at large.

Humane Canada gathers data on the number of animals entering humane society and SPCA shelters as well as the numbers adopted, returned to their owners or euthanized. This information provides a national picture of the important role shelters play in their communities.

Humane Canada’s Animal Shelter Statistics represent the best available information about companion animals in Canadian shelters. Reports from 2020 and earlier are available for download below, along with a year-by-year comparison document that shows sheltering trends over time.