Debunking Pandemic Pet Myths 5 Years Post-Covid

As we approach the 5-year anniversary of the start of COVID, many will be reflecting on the lasting implications of the pandemic. One common theme that rose from 2020 was the phenomenon of the pandemic pet, and its subsequent fall from popularity due to factors including the return to the office.  

But how much of this is actually true? Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters, is setting the record straight - using data collected from over 7,900 shelters and rescue groups - when it comes to these common misconceptions:  

Myth #1: Everyone adopted a COVID pet 

False: Adoptions from U.S. animal shelters actually declined during COVID, and still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. In 2019, approximately 2.6 million dogs and cats were adopted from shelters, but since 2020 adoption numbers have dropped to 2.2-2.3 million per year.  

Myth #2: All those pandemic pets were surrendered after COVID’s peak 

False: The proportion of pets entering shelters as owner surrenders has remained stable since before 2019, with owner surrenders making up about 19-21% of all pets that entered shelters from 2019-2024.   

Myth #3: Shelters are more overwhelmed now than ever before due to COVID pet surrenders 

False: Shelters have been overcrowded since before COVID and continue to be. However, the number of pets entering shelters has remained below 2019 numbers for the last five years – in 2019, approximately 5.5 million dogs and cats entered shelters, and in 2023 that number had dropped to 4.8 million. As a result, fewer pets are being killed in shelters. In fact, Best Friends’ data shows the number of pets killed in shelters actually fell by over 25% since 2019. While owner surrenders aren’t the biggest challenge for shelters right now, municipal budget constraints, staffing shortages, and housing and economic issues continue to create barriers to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters.  

“There’s no doubt that pets played a crucial role in helping many of us get through the loneliness and stress of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “But contrary to popular belief, pet owners in the U.S. have continued to love and care for their dogs and cats even as the world evolves and recovers from the pandemic, and we’re happy to be able to share the data to prove it. However, there is still plenty of work to be done, and Best Friends is working with our network of over 5,000 shelters and rescue groups as well as legislators, animal welfare advocates, and communities around the country to address these challenges and take the country no-kill.”  

*Analysis based on a sample of 688 shelters that reported a full year of monthly data in 2023 and 2024 (with 46% being municipal, 29% contract, and 25% private non-profits w/o contract).