Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics
In order to improve the welfare of companion animals, the animal welfare community and the public at large need to know the number of animals in shelters and what the outcome is for these animals after they are admitted.
Humane Canada™, formerly known as the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, gathers data on the number of animals entering humane society and SPCA shelters as well as the numbers adopted, returned to their owners or euthanized. This information provides a national picture of the important role shelters play in their communities.
Humane Canada's™ Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics represent the best available information about companion animals in Canadian shelters. Reports from 2017 and earlier are available for download below, along with a year-by-year comparison document that shows sheltering trends over time.
Click on the images below to download our reports.
2017 Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics Report
Note that the 2016 Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics were published in our most recent Cats in Canada report, which you can find here. The report includes statistics on both cats and dogs.
2015 Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics Report
2014 Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics Report
2013 Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics Report
2012 Canadian Animal Shelter Statistics Report
Download this yearly comparison document to see upward and downward trends in Canadian sheltering outcomes for cats and dogs over the years.
Archive
2011 Animal Shelter Statistics Report available in the 2012 Cats in Canada Report
2010 Animal Shelter Statistics Report
2008 Animal Shelter Statistics Report
Humane Societies and SPCAs in Canada: A comprehensive look at the sector
This ground-breaking report, available in both French and English, provides the first comprehensive analysis of Canada’s sector of humane societies and SPCAs. Using data from a cross-Canada survey and the Canada Revenue Agency’s Registered Charity Information Returns, we look at the sector’s contributions to Canadian society, the volunteer and financial support it receives and some of the challenges it faces.
This report was prepared by Humane Canada (also known as the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies). As the national voice for animal welfare, Humane Canada represents humane societies and SPCAs across Canada, driving positive, progressive change to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals. Humane Societies and SPCAs in Canada: A comprehensive look at the sector was funded by Humane Canada, as well as a major donor and five of our member societies. We thank Animal Welfare Agency South Central Ontario (AWASCO), BC SPCA, Montreal SPCA, Ottawa Humane Society and Toronto Humane Society in helping to make this report possible.
Key findings:
- Humane Canada estimates that more than 103,000 investigations were carried out by Canada’s humane societies and SPCAs in 2014.
- Overall, 21% of the revenue in our sector came from government funding – the majority coming from municipal sources.
- Less than 50% of the costs of enforcing provincial or federal animal cruelty legislation are covered by government funding despite our mandate to enforce the law.
- 45% of the total sector revenue of $187.8 million comes directly from donations, with 85% of donation revenue coming from individual donors. The result is that the responsibility of protecting animals in Canadian society is falling mainly to individual donors and the charities they support.
- 93% of Canada’s humane societies and SPCAs operate animal shelters. In 2014, these organizations spent an estimated $118.4 million sheltering more than 278,000 animals.
- 67% of responding Humane Societies and SPCAs deliver humane education programs in their communities.
- Public financial support of Canada’s humane societies and SPCAs is on par with public support of arts and culture initiatives or development/housing organizations.
- Canada’s 125 humane societies and SPCAs employ close to 2,000 staff, supported by an estimated 26,000 volunteers.