Philadelphia Animal Shelter Statistics 2025
ACCT Philly · Pennsylvania · Reporting period 2025
Last updated:
Source: ACCT Philly — Shelter Statistics ↗✓ Last verified November 3, 2026
Figures are based on the most recent publicly available reports and are subject to verification. Intake (dogs & cats), adoptions, shelter euthanasia and the ~86–87% live release rate are from ACCT Philly 2025 statistics. Return-to-owner and transfer figures are preliminary.
- Intake
- 18,898
- Adoptions
- 6,517
- Euthanasia
- 2,135
- 11.3% of intake
- live release rate
- 86–87%
- National: 82%
Outcomes, 2025
| Metric | Count | Share of intake |
|---|---|---|
| Total intakeVerified | 18,898 | 100% |
| AdoptionsVerified | 6,517 | 34% |
| Returned to ownerPreliminary | 1,300 | 7% |
| Transferred to partnersPreliminary | 7,900 | 42% |
| Total live outcomesPreliminary | 15,717 | 83% |
| EuthanasiaVerified | 2,135 | 11.3% |
| live release rateVerifiedPublished by ACCT Philly | 86–87% | State calc. (tracked): 88.0% |
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
ACCT Philly is Philadelphia's only open-intake shelter. Cats make up the majority of intake, especially during spring and summer kitten season. In 2025, ACCT Philly reported 18,898 animal intakes and 6,517 adoptions, and published a live release rate of 86–87% — above the 82% national estimate.
The most common way animals left the shelter alive was transfer to rescue partners, accounting for 50% of live outcomes. Adoptions made up 41%, transfers 50% and returns to owner 8%.
2,135 animals were euthanized, equal to 11.3% of intake. Among the 10 shelters SaveAPaw tracks, Philadelphia ranks #7 by headline outcome rate, below the commonly used 90% no-kill benchmark. Figures come from ACCT Philly — Shelter Statistics and were last verified on November 3, 2026; see the source for Pennsylvania reporting definitions. Intake (dogs & cats), adoptions, shelter euthanasia and the ~86–87% live release rate are from ACCT Philly 2025 statistics. Return-to-owner and transfer figures are preliminary.
Frequently asked questions
- How many animals does ACCT Philly take in each year?
- ACCT Philly reported 18,898 animal intakes in 2025.
- What is the live outcome rate in Philadelphia?
- ACCT Philly reported a live release rate of 86–87% for 2025.
- Is Philadelphia a no-kill shelter?
- Not by the common 90% benchmark. Its 2025 live release rate was 86–87%.
- How many animals were euthanized in Philadelphia?
- 2,135 in 2025, about 11.3% of intake.
- Where does this data come from?
- ACCT Philly — Shelter Statistics. SaveAPaw last verified these figures on November 3, 2026.