Today, Humane Canada released its annual report on animal shelter statistics. This report measures the outcome for animals at Canada’s humane societies and SPCAs and gives Canadians a national picture of shelter animals in 2018. The 2018 Animal Shelter Statistics report demonstrates positive, progressive change for homeless companion animals in Canada. More shelter cats are being adopted than ever before. Top Observations in the 2018 Report:

• The number of animals taken in to shelters continues to slowly trend downward. Fewer cats and dogs were taken in per organization in 2018 compared to past years.
• The number of both cats and dogs adopted increased in 2018; this continues the upward trend seen in recent years.
• The number of shelter cats adopted is at the highest rate ever observed.
• The number of dogs and cats taken in who were euthanized is similar to what was reported in recent years and is much lower than rates from five years ago or earlier, particularly for cats.
• The number of owned animals who were spayed or neutered through programs offered by humane societies and SPCAs increased 40 to 45%, relative to what was reported in 2017.

The 2018 Animal Shelter Statistics Report is available for download.