Shocking Nationwide Study Reveals Which States See the Most (and the Least) Pet Adoptions

Even though visiting the animal shelter may be emotionally taxing, the love and comfort you can give shelter pets is always worth it. Short visits from guests can be the highlight of a shelter pet’s day, but nothing compares to the moment they leave for their forever home.

As much as we’d love for every rescue dog and cat to find their forever home, the harsh reality is that some pets wait much longer than others. Although details such as an animal’s breed, color, and age can impact their adoption status, a nationwide study revealed that some American states see many more pet adoptions than others each year.

According to a comprehensive study conducted by Your Service Animal, shelter pets have a significantly higher chance of getting adopted in some states than others.

“The data reveals some shocking disparities,” says Nick Jordan, founder of Your Service Animal. “A shelter dog in Pennsylvania has nearly twice the chance of finding a home compared to one in Alaska. Geography shouldn’t determine whether an animal gets a second chance.” Yet, sadly, it does.

Using adoption data from thousands of animal shelters, the company calculated each state’s pet adoption rate and shelter population per 1,000 residents. Here are the states that saw the best and worst adoption rates in 2024.

 The Top 10 States With The Highest Pet Adoption Rates

In these states, the vast majority of shelter pets successfully find their forever homes. These states have the highest success rates because of high-priority spay and neuter programs, a well-rounded and well-funded network of shelters and animal rescues, and a higher percentage of adopters in a smaller area thanks to urban metropolises like New York City.

 The States With The Lowest Pet Adoption Rates

In many cases, it’s not surprising that a remote state like Alaska ranks last in terms of pet adoption. Isolated communities and infrastructure concerns can make animal adoption much more difficult. For other states on this list, a high volume of shelter animals and low shelter funding can result in the same tragic challenges.

What to Expect When You’re Adopting

Adopting a pet will change a person’s life forever, but it’s often one of the best changes they ever make. My family says this all the time about our rescue dog, and even though he’s been with us for nearly 14 years, we continue to adore him more and more every day. From his sweet cuddles to his silly, delicate demeanor, everything about him leaves us smiling from ear to ear.

We had a lot of challenges when Carter first came home from the animal shelter, but there’s no doubt in our minds that those obstacles were 100% worth the love and joy of having a dog in the family.

In general, pet experts recommend that new rescue dog or cat families follow the 3-3-3 rule. This rule helps explain how long it may take for an adopted pet to reach certain milestones in their new home, and it’s a great reminder that patience and love are the greatest tools when welcoming a new furry family member home.

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