New York City Animal Shelter Statistics 2025
Animal Care Centers of NYC · New York · Reporting period 2025
Last updated:
Source: ACC — Monthly & Annual Reports ↗✓ Last verified November 3, 2026
Figures are based on the most recent publicly available reports and are subject to verification. Euthanasia (1,694 dogs, 1,508 cats) is from ACC 2025 reporting. Intake and live-outcome figures are preliminary.
- Intake
- 21,600
- Adoptions
- 9,100
- Euthanasia
- 3,202
- 14.8% of intake
- live outcome rate
- 85.6%
- National: 82%
Outcomes, 2025
| Metric | Count | Share of intake |
|---|---|---|
| Total intakePreliminary | 21,600 | 100% |
| DogsPreliminary | 9,400 | 44% |
| CatsPreliminary | 11,200 | 52% |
| AdoptionsPreliminary | 9,100 | 42% |
| Returned to ownerPreliminary | 2,300 | 11% |
| Transferred to partnersPreliminary | 7,600 | 35% |
| Total live outcomesPreliminary | 19,000 | 88% |
| EuthanasiaVerified | 3,202 | 14.8% |
| Dogs euthanizedVerified | 1,694 | 8% |
| Cats euthanizedVerified | 1,508 | 7% |
| live outcome ratePreliminaryCalculated by SaveAPaw from the figures above | 85.6% | State calc. (tracked): 85.6% |
Additional outcome figures are preliminary and will be updated when official reports are confirmed.
Data period 2025 · Last verified November 3, 2026 · View official source ↗
What the numbers mean
ACC is NYC's only open-admission shelter system, taking in every animal regardless of health or temperament across five boroughs. Shelters have operated above capacity for dogs for much of the last two years. In 2025, Animal Care Centers of NYC reported 21,600 animal intakes and 19,000 live outcomes, for a calculated live outcome rate of 85.6% — above the 82% national estimate.
The most common way animals left the shelter alive was adoption, accounting for 48% of live outcomes. Adoptions made up 48%, transfers 40% and returns to owner 12%. Cats made up the larger share of intake (11,200 vs. 9,400 dogs).
3,202 animals were euthanized (1,694 dogs and 1,508 cats), equal to 14.8% of intake. Among the 10 shelters SaveAPaw tracks, New York City ranks #8 by headline outcome rate, below the commonly used 90% no-kill benchmark. Figures come from ACC — Monthly & Annual Reports and were last verified on November 3, 2026; see the source for New York reporting definitions. Euthanasia (1,694 dogs, 1,508 cats) is from ACC 2025 reporting. Intake and live-outcome figures are preliminary.
Frequently asked questions
- How many animals does Animal Care Centers of NYC take in each year?
- Animal Care Centers of NYC reported 21,600 animal intakes in 2025. This figure is preliminary.
- What is the live outcome rate in New York City?
- 85.6% in 2025, calculated from 19,000 live outcomes and 3,202 euthanasias. This rate uses some preliminary figures and is subject to verification.
- Is New York City a no-kill shelter?
- Not by the common 90% benchmark. Its 2025 live outcome rate was 85.6%.
- How many animals were euthanized in New York City?
- 3,202 in 2025 (1,694 dogs, 1,508 cats), about 14.8% of intake.
- Where does this data come from?
- ACC — Monthly & Annual Reports. SaveAPaw last verified these figures on November 3, 2026.