Seattle Animal Shelter Statistics 2023
Seattle Animal Shelter · Washington · Reporting period 2023
Last updated:
Source: Seattle Animal Shelter — Statistics & Public Records Analysis ↗✓ Last verified November 3, 2026
Figures are based on the most recent publicly available reports and are subject to verification. Euthanasia under 10% for cats and dogs is from analyzed public records through 2023, and city reports regularly place 85%+ of animals in live outcomes. Detailed annual counts are preliminary.
- Intake
- 3,900
- Adoptions
- 2,300
- Euthanasia
- 140
- 3.6% of intake
- live outcome rate
- 85%+
- National: 82%
Outcomes, 2023
| Metric | Count | Share of intake |
|---|---|---|
| Total intakePreliminary | 3,900 | 100% |
| DogsPreliminary | 1,300 | 33% |
| CatsPreliminary | 2,200 | 56% |
| AdoptionsPreliminary | 2,300 | 59% |
| Returned to ownerPreliminary | 700 | 18% |
| Transferred to partnersPreliminary | 620 | 16% |
| Total live outcomesPreliminary | 3,620 | 93% |
| EuthanasiaPreliminary | 140 | 3.6% |
| live outcome rateVerifiedPublished by Seattle Animal Shelter | 85%+ | State calc. (tracked): 96.3% |
Additional outcome figures are preliminary and will be updated when official reports are confirmed.
Data period 2023 · Last verified November 3, 2026 · View official source ↗
What the numbers mean
Seattle's city shelter handles relatively low intake for its population and has kept euthanasia under 10% for cats and dogs in public records through 2023. In 2023, Seattle Animal Shelter reported 3,900 animal intakes and 2,300 adoptions, and published a live outcome rate of 85%+ — above the 82% national estimate.
The most common way animals left the shelter alive was adoption, accounting for 64% of live outcomes. Adoptions made up 64%, transfers 17% and returns to owner 19%. Cats made up the larger share of intake (2,200 vs. 1,300 dogs).
140 animals were euthanized, equal to 3.6% of intake. Among the 10 shelters SaveAPaw tracks, Seattle ranks #9 by headline outcome rate, below the commonly used 90% no-kill benchmark. Figures come from Seattle Animal Shelter — Statistics & Public Records Analysis and were last verified on November 3, 2026; see the source for Washington reporting definitions. Euthanasia under 10% for cats and dogs is from analyzed public records through 2023, and city reports regularly place 85%+ of animals in live outcomes. Detailed annual counts are preliminary.
Frequently asked questions
- How many animals does Seattle Animal Shelter take in each year?
- Seattle Animal Shelter reported 3,900 animal intakes in 2023. This figure is preliminary.
- What is the live outcome rate in Seattle?
- Seattle Animal Shelter reported a live outcome rate of 85%+ for 2023.
- Is Seattle a no-kill shelter?
- Not by the common 90% benchmark. Its 2023 live outcome rate was 85%+.
- How many animals were euthanized in Seattle?
- 140 in 2023, about 3.6% of intake. This figure is preliminary.
- Where does this data come from?
- Seattle Animal Shelter — Statistics & Public Records Analysis. SaveAPaw last verified these figures on November 3, 2026.