In the latter half of 2023, pet adoptions decreased compared to the same months in 2022. At the same time, the number of pets surrendered to shelters also decreased, according to data from the management agency of animal shelter data Shelterwatch, formerly PetPoint. For example, in December 2023, pet shelters reported 140,129 results, which included both adoptions and fostering. In December 2022, that number stood at 170,060. Intakes also decreased from December 2023 (138,502) to December 2023 (109,524). Overall, from July to December, both intakes and results declined. If the decline in adoption rates matches the increase or cessation of pet ownership in the United States, the pet food industry may face challenges.
Shelter Outcomes 2022 vs. 2023
January
- 2023: 161,491
- 2022: 150,309
February
- 2023: 138,487
- 2022: 135,395
March
- 2023: 156,173
- 2022: 153,344
April
- 2023: 144,106
- 2022: 147,132
May
- 2023: 161,531
- 2022: 157,704
June
- 2023: 177,898
- 2022: 177,690
July
- 2023: 179,440
- 2022: 194,937
August
- 2023: 169,800
- 2022: 195,564
September
- 2023: 151,800
- 2022: 179,837
October
- 2023: 152,891
- 2022: 182,638
November
- 2023: 140,619
- 2022: 172,829
December
- 2023: 140,129
- 2022: 170,060
Shelter Intakes 2022 vs. 2023
January
- 2023: 148, 564
- 2022: 140,038
February
- 2023: 132,598
- 2022: 130,666
March
- 2023: 161,767
- 2022: 158,780
April
- 2023: 161,830
- 2022: 168,913
May
- 2023: 197,538
- 2022: 194,103
June
- 2023: 193,903
- 2022: 198,943
July
- 2023: 164,364
- 2022: 188,082
August
- 2023: 158,920
- 2022: 198,751
September
- 2023: 147,880
- 2022: 185,057
October
- 2023: 145,401
- 2022: 179,918
November
- 2023: 125,548
- 2022: 163,229
December
- 2023: 109,524
- 2022: 138,502
Consequences of a declining or stagnant pet population
Shelter data provide one of the few sources of recent data about pet populations in the United States, as private sales of dogs, cats and other pets are not publicly reported and others Population estimates will not be available until next year. A declining or stagnant pet population in the United States could challenge the pet food industry in the United States and other developed markets around the world.
One obvious consequence is a reduction in overall demand for pet food and treats. The dwindling pet population is directly related to a decreased need for pet nutrition. This drop in demand may force pet food manufacturers to reevaluate their production volumes and inventory management strategies. Companies may need to streamline their operations to accommodate the reduced market size, potentially leading to cost-cutting measures. As seen in 2023, increasing pet food sales value may also increase revenues despite falling or stagnant volumes. However, pet owners’ willingness to pay more can reach a limit, even for superpremium products.
In the longer term, a stagnant or declining pet population may intensify competition among pet food manufacturers. With a smaller market to cater to, companies will vie for a bigger piece of the pie, potentially triggering price wars and increased marketing efforts to capture the attention of remaining pet owners.
