2016 to 2023
We recently received 2023 intake data from the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) via a public disclosure request and are now able to update our prior analysis. The time period in question is 2016 to 2023.
There are seven summary tables below. Please note that we are discussing only companion animals, i.e. dogs, cats, and critters (all other pet animals). These numbers do not include wildlife.
Highlights:
Intakes for all species are recovering from the drop during the pandemic.
Field seizures of dogs are exceeding those for cats and critters.
Stray animals brought to the shelter are now exceeding 2016 numbers.
Returns of dogs to the shelter post-adoption have skyrocketed in 2023
Cats are the species most transferred into SAS from other shelters.
Companion Animal Intakes
Except for a slight dip in 2018, SAS intakes suffered their greatest decrease due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Starting in 2022, intakes began to recover, although they have not yet reached pre-COVID numbers.
Intakes By Species
Dog and cat intakes are closely aligned and mirror the trajectories from 2016 to 2023, with the most significant dip in 2020 due to COVID-19. Critters comprise fewer intakes but also follow the general patterns, with an animal cruelty case of more than 200 animals in 2020 resulting in a higher intake number than would have otherwise occurred (this will be reflected in the seizures/custody table.) All three groups are slowly experiencing increased intakes post-pandemic.
Seizures and Custody
Dog and cat seizures and custody follow a general pattern from 2016 to 2023 with dog seizures exceeding cat seizures. The spike in 2020 for critters reflects the 200 plus animal cruelty case mentioned earlier. Of note is that this category includes field officer seizures of stray animals.
Stray Animals
Stray animals include those who are abandoned at the shelter and those dropped off at the shelter by the public. Dog and cat strays are showing a sharp increase post-pandemic. The spike for stray critters in 2019 is the result of an intake of 135 mice abandoned at the shelter.
Owner/Guardian Surrenders
Intake numbers for all three groups of companion animals are recovering post-pandemic. Cats had an exceptionally high surrender number in 2016 and have consistently exceeded dog and critter numbers with the exception of 2022.
Surrenders of critters in 2023 included 72 guinea pigs.
Returns to the Shelter
This category includes animals returned to the shelter post-adoption. The spike in 2023 returns of dogs adopted by the public merits further attention. Of the 103 animals returned to the shelter, 79 were returned after only 30 days in their new home.
Transfers from Other Shelters
Transfers from other shelters are important but the lack of shelter space across the region and the country have slowed them. Having said that, SAS has continued to accept cat transfers at a higher rate than dogs and critters, mirroring pre-COVID levels. The significant drop in dog transfers began in 2018.
