Florida is fourth in the nation for animal shelter deaths, according to the Best Friends Animal Society. The organization says for every 10 dogs that enter an animal shelter here, only four are adopted.
Which means that the rest are euthanized.
The nonprofit partner of animal shelters nationwide seeks to decrease shelter deaths by sharing resources and proving data on no-kill shelters across the nation. They found that last year, 378,000 dogs and cats were euthanized out of the 4 million that entered shelters countrywide.
Here is where the Sunshine State’s statistics fall:
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Here are Florida’s statistics:
- Total dogs and cats saved: 272,381
- Dogs and cats killed: 20,653
- Total entered: 319,077
- Total save rate: 85.4%
- The number of no-kill shelters: 85 of 135
Who leads the nation in animal shelter deaths?
Texas leads the nation in animal shelter deaths with over 68,000 shelter deaths in 2022. California followed right behind in second place with over 51,000 shelter deaths last year.
What is a ‘no-kill’ shelter?
According to Best Friends Animal Society, no-kill means saving every dog or cat in a shelter who can be saved. To be considered a no-kill, a shelter or rescue has to have at least a 90% placement rate for the animals in their care.
What Florida counties have reached no-kill status?
There are currently 22 Florida counties that have reached the status of no-kill, with their shelters having a save rate of 90% or higher:
- Escambia County
- Santa Rosa
- Jackson County
- Gulf County
- Wakulla County
- Jefferson County
- Taylor County
- Dixie County
- Suwannee County
- Nassau County
- Union County
- Clay County
- Putnam County
- Flagler County
- Lake County
- Hillsborough County
- Indian River County
- Manatee County
- Hardee County
- Charlotte County
- Collier County
- Miami-Dade County
How can I help animals in my community?
According to the Humane Society of the United States, they recommend those looking to help animals in shelters:
- Adopt (if you’re able to)
- Donate supplies or cash
- Volunteer
- Offer words of encouragement to shelters and rescues
- Become a foster
- Like your local animal shelters on social media
- Create crafts for pets, either fun adoption signs or fun toys
- Help at home by vaccinating or microchipping pets, keeping them inside
- Make positive changes within the community by pushing legislation that helps shelters/pets
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