WHERE DO PEOPLE GET THEIR DOGS FROM?

Have you ever wondered where most people get their dogs? In the US, around 2 million dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues each year, according to the ASPCA. A 2017-2018 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 28% of dogs are adopted, 22% come from breeders, and 26% are obtained from family or friends.

Demographic factors like income can influence these decisions. A 2024 study published in Animals (Kremer and Neal) surveyed dog-owning Americans to understand where they got their dogs and what happened if they lost one. The research highlighted that, in addition to formal adoption or purchase channels, networks of friends and family also play a significant role. These networks are especially important for individuals with lower household incomes.

The survey focused on seven U.S. regions with shelters participating in the Humane Animal Support Services project. These areas included Cabot, Arkansas; Dallas, Texas; metro Detroit, Michigan; Fresno, California; New Hampshire; Palm Valley, Texas; and Washington, DC. Participants were recruited via email to complete an online survey, and data was gathered on over 6,000 dogs.

The results reveal that as income decreases, the proportion of people acquiring dogs from friends and family steadily increases. Among those earning more than $150K, only 19% got their dog from family or friends, compared to 44% of those with an annual income under $15K.

For individuals earning $75K or more, most dogs are purchased, whether from breeders, pet stores, or online platforms like Craigslist and Facebook. The second most common source for higher-income groups is shelters or rescues.

In the $50K to $75K income range, 29% of people bought their dog, 28% got their dog from family or friends, and 26% adopted from a shelter or rescue.

There were other ways people acquired their dogs. Some found or rescued their dog, with 7% of those earning over $150K and 13% of those earning less than $15K reporting this. Additionally, some people received their dog from a previous pet that had puppies, a trend that ranged from 3% of higher-income earners to 7% of those in the lowest income group.

When researchers looked at people who no longer had a dog, the most common reasons were that the dog had died or been euthanized. However, a notable portion of people had given a dog away to family or friends, ranging from 18% to 26% of those without a dog. Between 13% and 21% reported their dog had run away. Those in the lowest income brackets were more likely to have given a dog away or experienced a dog running away.

One possible reason for more dogs running away from lower-income households is that people may not be able to afford proper fencing. Community programs that assist in building fences could help keep dogs safe at home. This issue doesn’t only affect the dog’s owner. Previous research in Detroit has found that the most common scenario in which people are bitten by dogs is when a neighbor’s dog escapes or is running loose (Reese and Vertalka, 2020).

Adopting dogs from shelters and rescues is three times more common among higher-income individuals compared to those in the lowest income group. The researchers suggest that people with lower incomes are more likely to rely on informal networks, making them more prone to adopt or rehome dogs within their existing circles.

The researchers suggest that shelters could allocate more resources to helping pets stay in their homes by offering low-cost spay or neuter services, vaccinations, veterinary care, and behavioral support. They also recommend that shelters and rescues launch campaigns to encourage people who might otherwise buy a dog to adopt from a shelter instead. However, shelters have limited resources and must prioritize how to best support their communities. While many shelters already offer low-cost spay or neuter programs, assistance with fencing is less commonly available.

Previous research on why people surrender large dogs to shelters in Washington, DC, and New York City found that people often reach out to family and friends first, but income did not appear to be a factor (Weiss and colleagues, 2014). Since this new study focused on specific locations, its findings aren’t representative of the entire country. However, the researchers note that their results align with data from the American Veterinary Medical Association, mentioned earlier.

The paper doesn’t differentiate between where dogs were purchased, so it doesn’t reveal how many puppies came from responsible breeders versus pet stores, which are more likely to source puppies from puppy mills. The Humane Society of the U.S. estimates there are 10,000 puppy mills in the country, most of which are unlicensed. It would be valuable to understand if demographics influence purchasing decisions in this context.

If you’re considering getting a puppy, be sure to avoid puppy mills and scams. Responsible breeders and reputable shelters or rescues are excellent sources for pets and will take them back if issues arise. This study also highlights that informal networks of family and friends are a common source of pets—something worth exploring further.