Dogs are popular pets all across the United States. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 38% of households in 2017-2018 owned one or more dogs. (And these are the most popular dog breeds.) Unfortunately, people are not always able or willing to give their dogs the care they deserve, and so there are pet shelters all across the country.
24/7 Tempo calculated the number of shelters for every 100,000 people in each U.S. state. It makes for interesting reading because there aren’t many discernible patterns in the distribution of shelters. The number of dog shelters per capita don’t appear to be correlated with size, geography, climate, or income level. By contrast, places with the most dog parks tend to be concentrated in Sunbelt states, which typically offer more opportunities for outdoor recreation and have relatively strong economies. Here are the most dog-friendly cities in America.
The No. 1 state on our list, Wyoming, has more than 10 times as many shelters as No. 50, Hawaii. Both are among the states with the smallest human populations. Connecticut ranks No. 2, while neighboring Massachusetts ranks a lowly 43, even though they have comparable income levels. Florida, New York, and California have the same number of shelters per capita but are at opposite ends of the country. It is important to note that because the size and capacity of the shelters counted may vary considerably, the number of shelters is not a perfect reflection of how many animals a state is able to shelter.
To identify the states with the most dog shelters, 24/7 Tempo used data derived from the pet shelter database Petfinder to find the total number of shelters in a given state. The number was then adjusted for population per 100,000. Population data comes from the American Community Survey 2018 1-Year Estimates, along with data on educational attainment, poverty rate, and median household income.
Click here to see which state has the most pet shelters.
Source: Courtesy of Scott B. via Yelp
50. Hawaii
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 0.6
> Total pet shelters: 8 (the fewest)
> Population: 1,420,491 (11th smallest)
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Source: Courtesy of Heather P. via Yelp
49. South Dakota
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 1.9
> Total pet shelters: 17 (3rd fewest)
> Population: 882,235 (5th smallest)
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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Source: Courtesy of Cletis H. via Yelp
48. North Dakota
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 2.0
> Total pet shelters: 15 (2nd fewest)
> Population: 760,077 (4th smallest)
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Source: Courtesy of Kay P. via Yelp
47. Utah
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 2.3
> Total pet shelters: 72 (15th fewest)
> Population: 3,161,105 (21st smallest)
See all stories featuring: Utah
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Source: Courtesy of Katrina N. via Yelp
46. Mississippi
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 2.4
> Total pet shelters: 73 (16th fewest)
> Population: 2,986,530 (17th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
Source: Courtesy of Janice H. via Yelp
45. Nevada
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 2.6
> Total pet shelters: 78 (17th fewest)
> Population: 3,034,392 (19th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Nevada
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Source: Courtesy of Louisiana SPCA via Yelp
44. Louisiana
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 2.7
> Total pet shelters: 126 (22nd fewest)
> Population: 4,659,978 (25th largest)
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Source: Courtesy of Laurie C. via Yelp
43. Massachusetts
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 2.8
> Total pet shelters: 192 (23rd most)
> Population: 6,902,149 (15th largest)
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
Source: Courtesy of Amanda Y. via Yelp
42. Florida
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.0
> Total pet shelters: 631 (3rd most)
> Population: 21,299,325 (3rd largest)
See all stories featuring: Florida
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Source: Courtesy of Animal Haven via Yelp
41. New York
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.0
> Total pet shelters: 582 (4th most)
> Population: 19,542,209 (4th largest)
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Source: Courtesy of Ann S. via Yelp
40. California
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.0
> Total pet shelters: 1,182 (the most)
> Population: 39,557,045 (the largest)
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Source: Courtesy of Gary C I. via Yelp
39. Alabama
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.0
> Total pet shelters: 149 (24th fewest)
> Population: 4,887,871 (24th largest)
See all stories featuring: Alabama
Source: Courtesy of Chessie S. via Yelp
38. Washington
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.1
> Total pet shelters: 236 (17th most)
> Population: 7,535,591 (13th largest)
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Source: Courtesy of Simply Cats Adoption Center via Yelp
37. Idaho
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.1
> Total pet shelters: 55 (9th fewest)
> Population: 1,754,208 (12th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Idaho
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Source: Courtesy of Best Friends Animal Society via Yelp
36. Georgia
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.1
> Total pet shelters: 331 (12th most)
> Population: 10,519,475 (8th largest)
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Source: Courtesy of Rachael G. via Yelp
35. Montana
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.2
> Total pet shelters: 34 (6th fewest)
> Population: 1,062,305 (8th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Montana
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Source: Courtesy of Brett F. via Yelp
34. Texas
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.2
> Total pet shelters: 928 (2nd most)
> Population: 28,701,845 (2nd largest)
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Source: Courtesy of Walker C. via Yelp
33. Maryland
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.3
> Total pet shelters: 197 (21st most)
> Population: 6,042,718 (19th largest)
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Source: Courtesy of Delaware Humane Association via Yelp
32. Delaware
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.3
> Total pet shelters: 32 (5th fewest)
> Population: 967,171 (6th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Delaware
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Source: Courtesy of Rachel C. via Yelp
31. New Mexico
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.3
> Total pet shelters: 70 (14th fewest)
> Population: 2,095,428 (15th smallest)
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
Source: Courtesy of Misty S. via Yelp
30. Illinois
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.3
> Total pet shelters: 426 (8th most)
> Population: 12,741,080 (6th largest)
See all stories featuring: Illinois
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Source: Courtesy of Taylor M. via Yelp
29. Arizona
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.4
> Total pet shelters: 242 (16th most)
> Population: 7,171,646 (14th largest)
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Source: Courtesy of MaxFund via Yelp
28. Colorado
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.4
> Total pet shelters: 193 (22nd most)
> Population: 5,695,564 (21st largest)
See all stories featuring: Colorado
Source: Courtesy of Evan G. via Yelp
27. South Carolina
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.4
> Total pet shelters: 174 (24th most)
> Population: 5,084,127 (23rd largest)
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
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Source: Courtesy of Nicole C. via Yelp
26. Nebraska
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.5
> Total pet shelters: 67 (12th fewest)
> Population: 1,929,268 (14th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
Source: Courtesy of Noah H. via Yelp
25. Arkansas
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.5
> Total pet shelters: 106 (19th fewest)
> Population: 3,013,825 (18th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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Source: Courtesy of Larissa G. via Yelp
24. Pennsylvania
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.5
> Total pet shelters: 452 (6th most)
> Population: 12,807,060 (5th largest)
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Source: Courtesy of Annie M. via Yelp
23. Oregon
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.6
> Total pet shelters: 149 (24th fewest)
> Population: 4,190,713 (24th smallest)
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Source: Courtesy of Steven T. via Yelp
22. Wisconsin
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.6
> Total pet shelters: 207 (19th most)
> Population: 5,813,568 (20th largest)
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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Source: Courtesy of Tokunbo P. via Yelp
21. Iowa
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.6
> Total pet shelters: 115 (21st fewest)
> Population: 3,156,145 (20th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Source: Courtesy of Secondhand Hounds via Yelp
20. Minnesota
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.7
> Total pet shelters: 206 (20th most)
> Population: 5,611,179 (22nd largest)
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
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Source: Courtesy of Kentucky Humane Society via Yelp
19. Kentucky
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.8
> Total pet shelters: 168 (25th most)
> Population: 4,468,402 (25th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
Source: Courtesy of Stephanie H. via Yelp
18. North Carolina
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.8
> Total pet shelters: 395 (10th most)
> Population: 10,383,620 (9th largest)
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Source: Courtesy of Amy P. via Yelp
17. Oklahoma
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.8
> Total pet shelters: 151 (25th fewest)
> Population: 3,943,079 (23rd smallest)
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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Source: Courtesy of Jennifer C. via Yelp
16. Kansas
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 3.9
> Total pet shelters: 113 (20th fewest)
> Population: 2,911,510 (16th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Kansas
Source: Courtesy of Heritage Humane Society via Yelp
15. Virginia
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.0
> Total pet shelters: 340 (11th most)
> Population: 8,517,685 (12th largest)
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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Source: Courtesy of Humane Society of Missouri via Yelp
14. Missouri
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.0
> Total pet shelters: 245 (15th most)
> Population: 6,126,452 (18th largest)
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Source: Courtesy of Katie U. via Yelp
13. Indiana
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.1
> Total pet shelters: 274 (14th most)
> Population: 6,691,878 (17th largest)
See all stories featuring: Indiana
Source: Courtesy of Alfred B. via Yelp
12. Michigan
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.1
> Total pet shelters: 412 (9th most)
> Population: 9,995,915 (10th largest)
See all stories featuring: Michigan
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Source: Courtesy of James I. via Yelp
11. Alaska
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.2
> Total pet shelters: 31 (4th fewest)
> Population: 737,438 (3rd smallest)
See all stories featuring: Alaska
Source: Courtesy of Franklin County Dog Shelter via Yelp
10. Ohio
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.3
> Total pet shelters: 499 (5th most)
> Population: 11,689,442 (7th largest)
See all stories featuring: Ohio
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Source: Courtesy of Michael P. via Yelp
9. New Hampshire
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.3
> Total pet shelters: 58 (11th fewest)
> Population: 1,356,458 (10th smallest)
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
Source: Courtesy of Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley via Yelp
8. Tennessee
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.4
> Total pet shelters: 300 (13th most)
> Population: 6,770,010 (16th largest)
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Source: Courtesy of Animal Friends via Yelp
7. West Virginia
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.6
> Total pet shelters: 83 (18th fewest)
> Population: 1,805,832 (13th smallest)
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
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Source: Courtesy of Home for Good Dogs Rescue via Yelp
6. New Jersey
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 4.9
> Total pet shelters: 436 (7th most)
> Population: 8,908,520 (11th largest)
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
Source: Courtesy of Shelly B. via Yelp
5. Maine
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 5.1
> Total pet shelters: 68 (13th fewest)
> Population: 1,338,404 (9th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Maine
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Source: Courtesy of Jamie F. via Yelp
4. Rhode Island
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 5.4
> Total pet shelters: 57 (10th fewest)
> Population: 1,057,315 (7th smallest)
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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Source: Courtesy of Franklin County Animal Rescue via Yelp
3. Vermont
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 5.7
> Total pet shelters: 36 (8th fewest)
> Population: 626,299 (2nd smallest)
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Source: Courtesy of Allexandra R. via Yelp
2. Connecticut
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 6.0
> Total pet shelters: 213 (18th most)
> Population: 3,572,665 (22nd smallest)
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
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Source: Courtesy of Kindness Ranch via Yelp
1. Wyoming
> Pet shelters for every 100,000 people: 6.1
> Total pet shelters: 35 (7th fewest)
> Population: 577,737 (the smallest)
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
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