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Research & Facts
Facts. Context.
Real change.
Good advocacy starts with good questions—and evidence that people can examine for themselves.
U.S. sheltering · 2025 national estimates
5.8M
Dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues
4.2M
Dogs and cats were adopted
597K
Animals were euthanized
Start with the sources
Data & Statistics
National sheltering trends
Explore intake, adoption, reunification, and outcomes in the 2025 Shelter Animals Count report.
Read the report →Context
Understanding shelter pressure
The ASPCA explains national shelter statistics and the challenges behind the numbers.
Explore the overview →Identification
Microchipping basics
A veterinary resource on identification, registration, and keeping owner contact details current.
Read the AVMA guide →Numbers tell us where to look.
Context helps us understand.
A national total cannot explain every local shelter’s experience. Reporting coverage, definitions, population, and time period all matter when comparing results.
We separate evidence from opinion, link to original sources, and identify gaps. A promising idea should be tested—not presented as a proven solution before the evidence supports it.
Questions guiding our work
Where does accountability end?
What information follows an animal through breeding, acquisition, and each change of ownership?
What helps prevent surrender?
Which combinations of preparation, housing support, affordable care, and behavior resources deserve closer study?
How should progress be measured?
How can communities track welfare, prevention, reunification, and sustained outcomes together?
This is a curated resource library. Truly Humane’s original research and policy comparisons will be added as they are completed.
Make the evidence useful.
Help translate reliable information into informed choices and practical policy.