New data reveals that 34,000 fewer dogs and cats were unnecessarily killed in U.S. shelters in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the nonprofit organization Best Friends Animal Society. This is the sharpest drop in U.S. animal shelter deaths in five years. Throughout 2025, 4 million dogs and cats in shelters found homes, moving the country closer to achieving no-kill, which means saving every healthy and treatable pet.
While both dogs and cats had history-making years, it was a true breakthrough year for the dogs. From 2024 to 2025, the number of dogs killed in shelters decreased by 8.5 percent, which translates to nearly 20,000 additional dogs across the country that got out of shelters and into homes. This was the first time the number of dogs killed in shelters has decreased since 2020, when the COVID pandemic posed unprecedented challenges for shelters. Contrary to popular belief, adoptions from U.S. shelters declined in 2020 and still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, an obstacle that shelters continue to face today.
The good news didn’t just go to the dogs – 2025 was another record-breaking year for cats, too. Continuing the positive momentum from 2024, a record high of 83 percent of cats that entered shelters were saved in 2025. The number of cats killed in shelters is now at its lowest point in history, with Best Friends attributing much of this progress to community-based kitten fostering, community cat programs, and increased adoption demand from Gen Z.
“2025 was a turning point for animal sheltering in the U.S., and the data shows an undeniable momentum for the movement to end the killing of healthy, treatable pets in shelters,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “The number of no-kill shelters in this country is at an all-time high, with 68 percent of shelters reaching this milestone last year, and of those that are not yet no-kill, nearly half have fewer than 100 additional pets to get there. This progress didn’t happen by chance or by working alone. This is a clear example of what happens when pet lovers, shelters, and rescue groups work together to save lives.”
Collective action remains critical as Best Friends and its network of 6,000 shelter and rescue group partners work toward when no dog or cat dies in a shelter simply because they don’t have a safe place to call home. Best Friends encourages everyone to get involved by adopting, fostering, volunteering and advocating for homeless pets.
With a motto of “Save Them All,” Best Friends Animal Society, headquartered in Utah, works locally with both the Farmington Regional Animal Shelter and the Aztec Animal Shelter.
If you are one of those who loves puppy cuddles and kisses, meet Bob. Found as a stray, the best guess is that Bob is a pit bull mix about 4 months old. Shy at first, this sweet pup was brought with his brother to the Aztec Animal Shelter a little more than one month ago. Less than 20 pounds, shelter workers think he will be a medium-sized dog of about 40 pounds. He is a true cuddle-bug, who has already spent more than a month at the shelter. Drop by the Aztec Animal Shelter and say hello to Bob. Warning: he will most likely steal your heart!