2. • Introduction
Which makes the better pet, cats or dogs? This is a highly debated question
among pet owners, and the answer seems to a resounding ‘dogs’. At the very
least, that seems to be the case when it comes to shelter pets. This study was
taken to show how dogs and cats each fare in similar circumstances in shelters.
• Methods and Materials
The ASPCA website tabulated national statistics about how well dogs and cats
fare in shelters, especially in different cases; such as which animals were
euthanized more, or returned to their original owners.
Dogs Cats
Entering Animal Shelters 3.9 million 3.4 million
Euthanized 1.2 million 1.4 million
Adopted 1.4 million 1.3 million
Returned to Owners 542,000 100,000
Animals Entering Shelters Dogs Cats
Adopted 35% 37%
Euthanized 31% 41%
Returned to Owner 26% 5%
3.
4. Shelter Pets-Statistics
• These results show that each animal fares differently in different conditions.
An average of 3.9 million dogs are admitted to animal shelters, as opposed to 3.4
million cats that enter. As was illustrated, 1.4 million dogs are adopted (figure 1),
542,000 returned to their owners (figure 3), and only 1.2 million are euthanized
(figure 2). 1.3 million cats are adopted (figure 1), 100,000 returned to their
owners (figure 3), and 1.4 million were euthanized (figure 2). To put that into
percent form, 35% of dogs that enter are adopted (figure 1), 31% euthanized
(figure 2), and 26% (figure 3) returned to their owners; as opposed to cats, where
37% are adopted (figure 1), 41% are euthanized (figure 2), and only 5% returned
to their owners (figure 3).
Discussion
• Looking at these statistics, it was baffling to see how different conditions
were for cats and dogs in animal shelters. Though it’s not entirely surprising-dogs
are more popular a pet than cats. This is not to say that it’s all bad for cats
though-if one looks at the percentage, it is shown that a slightly larger percentage
of cats are adopted than dogs. But at the same time, more cats are likely to be
euthanized than dogs, and less cats are returned to their owners. So what is the
reason for this? Part of the reason could be that less people are likely to bring
home pets that are ‘damaged’ in some way. For example, a pet that has three legs,
or is blind or deaf is less likely to be adopted than an able-bodied one. What most
people fail to realize is that these are the animals most in need of a loving home.
Dogs are more affectionate and friendly, as opposed to cats, which can seem
aloof (and don’t like belly rubs). It is much better to adopt an animal from a
