In this month’s Data Bites, we provide you with euthanasia data for the three most common species that enter the SAS system: cats, dogs and rabbits. We compare these numbers to the number of total intakes for each of the species. Total intakes include owner/guardian surrenders, returns, seized/custody animals, strays, and transfers.
The Seattle Animal Shelter does not make its euthanasia data publicly available; Seattle Animal Watch obtained this data through a public disclosure request.
Euthanasia Rates
Based on the data provided by SAS, each of these species average euthanasia rates of less than 10 percent per year. Starting in 2017, this equates to approximately a greater than 90 percent live release rate, qualifying SAS as a “no-kill shelter.”
Euthanasia Due to Aggression
Reasons for euthanasia are predominantly due to poor prognosis resulting from illness and injury. However, dogs and cats are also euthanized due to aggressive behavior.
The high point of aggression-related euthanasia occurred in 2016 for both cats and dogs. While euthanasia for cats due to aggression dropped drastically after 2016, the number has fluctuated for dogs.
