California Animal Shelter Statistics
West region · 2 tracked shelters · 2025 data
Last updated:
Figures are based on the most recent publicly available reports and are subject to verification.
- Tracked shelters
- 2
- Total intake
- 82,811
- Euthanized
- 8,438
- Calc. live outcome rate
- 89.8%
- National: 82%
Source: California Department of Public Health ↗✓ Last verified October 1, 2026
Shelters tracked in California
| Location | Intake | Live outcome |
|---|---|---|
| San DiegoPreliminary San Diego Humane Society · source ↗ | 38,400 | ~91%live release rate |
| Los AngelesPreliminary LA Animal Services · source ↗ | 44,411 | 87.6% |
Sorted by live outcome rate. Detailed pages: Los Angeles animal shelter statistics · San Diego animal shelter statistics
About California's shelter data
California runs one of the largest municipal shelter systems in the country. Large county and city agencies report intake publicly, and statewide data is compiled annually by the California Department of Public Health (rabies control reports).
Across the 2 California shelters SaveAPaw tracks, reported intake totaled 82,811 animals, with 36,770 adoptions and 8,438 euthanasias. The combined calculated live outcome rate is 89.8%, compared with the 82% national estimate.
San Diego has the highest headline outcome rate of the tracked California shelters (~91% live release rate), while Los Angeles has the lowest (87.6% live outcome rate). Totals reflect only the shelters listed below, not every shelter in the state.
Other tracked states in the West
Frequently asked questions
- How many animals enter shelters in California?
- The 2 tracked California shelters reported 82,811 intakes in their latest reporting year.
- What is the live outcome rate in California?
- 89.8% across tracked shelters (adoption, return to owner or transfer, divided by all outcomes).
- How many shelter animals were euthanized in California?
- 8,438 across the tracked shelters.
- Which California shelters does SaveAPaw track?
- LA Animal Services; San Diego Humane Society.
Ways to help
Source notes: state totals are sums of the tracked shelters listed above. See methodology for definitions.