# data[].attributes.body
"Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption campus in Kansas City, in 2018 Wayside adopted more than 5,600 animals in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or those that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no kill community." -Wayside Waifs

# data[].attributes.body
This video will describe some of the work Wayside Waifs does.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Wayside Waifs has taken in 25 new dogs. Most are puppies; they're all under 1-year-old.The animals were rescued from Mississippi and were headed to Wisconsin but the winter weather cut the trip short and Wayside Waifs was asked to take the animals."They gave us that emergency call and just needed a place for these animals to go and have a safe place, get some medical care so we're going to take care of them while they are here," said Casey Waugh, of Wayside Waifs.All the dogs will be checked out and up for adoption locally soon.

Wayside Waifs has taken in 25 new dogs.

Most are puppies; they're all under 1-year-old.

The animals were rescued from Mississippi and were headed to Wisconsin but the winter weather cut the trip short and Wayside Waifs was asked to take the animals.

"They gave us that emergency call and just needed a place for these animals to go and have a safe place, get some medical care so we're going to take care of them while they are here," said Casey Waugh, of Wayside Waifs.

All the dogs will be checked out and up for adoption locally soon.

# data[].attributes.body
On June 5, 1940, a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, known as the Jackson County Animal Betterment Association, was incorporated in the State of Missouri. In 1944, it was revived with new leadership under the name of Wayside Waifs, Inc. Fenby Webster was the lead contributor who helped to found Wayside Waifs. Her leadership and dedication is still seen throughout the shelter.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How many pets are in the United States? How many animals are in shelters?

Facts about U.S. Animal Shelters:

The terms "humane society" and "SPCA" are generic; shelters using those names are not part of the ASPCA or The Humane Society of the United States. Currently, no government institution or animal organization is responsible for tabulating national statistics for the animal protection movement. These are national estimates; the figures may vary from state to state.

Approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. We estimate that the number of dogs and cats entering U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 7.2 million in 2011. The biggest decline was in dogs (from 3.9 million to 3.1 million).

Each year, approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats). The number of dogs and cats euthanized in U.S. shelters annually has declined from approximately 2.6 million in 2011. This decline can be partially explained by an increase in the percentage of animals adopted and an increase in the number of stray animals successfully returned to their owners.

Approximately 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year (2 million dogs and 2.1 million cats).

About 810,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners. Of those, 710,000 are dogs and 100,000 are cats.

*These estimates are based in part on Shelter Animals Count data and other known and estimated sources, 2019. These are national estimates based on data obtained from shelters and rescues; the figures may vary from state to state.
Facts about Pet Ownership in the U.S.:

It's estimated that 78 million dogs and 85.8 million cats are owned in the United States. Approximately 44% of all households in the United States have a dog, and 35% have a cat. (Source: American Pet Products Association 2015-2016 (APPA))

Approximately 40% of dog owners and 46% of cat owners learned about their pet through word of mouth. (Source: APPA)

According to the APPA, these are the most common sources from which primary methods cats and dogs are obtained as pets (Note: this information was based on a multiple response question, which results in the total % exceeding 100% individually for cats and dogs. In addition, the 'other' category includes all source categories that were reported by <10% of both dog and cat owners):

APPA reports that 34% of dogs are purchased from breeders, while 23% of dogs and 31% of cats are obtained from an animal shelter or humane society.

Around 27% of cats are acquired as strays, down from 35% in 2012. (Source: APPA)

According to the ASPCA's National Rehoming Survey, pet problems are the most common reason that owners rehome their pet, accounting for 47% of rehomed dogs and 42% of rehomed cats. Pet problems were defined as problematic behaviors, aggressive behaviors, grew larger than expected, or health problems owner couldn't handle.

The preceding data are ASPCA estimates unless otherwise indicated.
You may also wish to visit:

American Pet Products Association
https://www.americanpetproducts.org/

The National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy (NCPPSP)
https://theaawa.org/page/nationalcouncil

The American Veterinary Medical Association
https://www.avma.org/ (see U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How many pets are in the United States? How many animals are in shelters? Get the answers to these and other questions about pet statistics.

# data[].attributes.headline
Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.

# data[].attributes.subject
Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.

# data[].attributes.headline
Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. Act as a publicist for your local shelter so pets can find homes. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. Act as a publicist for your local shelter so pets can find homes. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.

# data[].attributes.subject
Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.

# data[].attributes.headline
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners

# data[].attributes.subject
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of cats and only 15 to 20% of dogs are returned to their owners

# data[].attributes.headline
25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.

# data[].attributes.subject
25% of dogs that enter local shelters are purebred.

# data[].attributes.headline
About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.

# data[].attributes.subject
About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.

# data[].attributes.headline
It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States. Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.

# data[].attributes.subject
It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States. Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.

# data[].attributes.headline
Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.

# data[].attributes.subject
Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, sees millions of these “excess” animals killed annually.

# data[].attributes.headline
According to The Humane Society, there are about 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the US and 10,000 rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in North America.

# data[].attributes.subject
According to The Humane Society, there are about 3,500 brick-and-mortar animal shelters in the US and 10,000 rescue groups and animal sanctuaries in North America.