Rise of the Underdog

We recently conducted a study of 3,000 potential dog owners, revealing a significant shift in preference towards adopting shelter dogs over purchasing purebred breeds. The remarkable state-by-state results are illustrated below.

Scroll across the map below to see the % in each state who would rather adopt a dog from their local shelter than buy purebreds through a registered dog breeder.

Survey of 3,000 respondents; July 2023.

Key Takeaways

Increased Interest in Shelter Dogs

46% of potential dog owners expressed intent to adopt from shelters, marking a 6% increase in possible shelter dog ownership compared to older data.

High Adoption Preference in Specific States

States like Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wyoming showed a strong preference for shelter dog adoption, with percentages ranging from 75% to 81%.

Google Search Trends Reinforce Survey Data

Analysis of search trends supported the shift towards shelter dog ownership with 22 out of the top 25 states most interested in shelter dog adoption demonstrating a marked shift in this preference.

Implications of the Study

  1. Improvement in Animal Welfare. This trend could lead to a decrease in the number of dogs in shelters, with more resources available per animal in shelters, including space, staff attention, and medical care.
  2. Potential Influence on Supply-Demand Dynamics. The shift might discourage unethical breeding practices, including those in puppy mills.
  3. Enhanced Quality of Life for Adopted Dogs. Adopted dogs may see significant improvements in living conditions, physical health, and behavioral outcomes.
  4. Cultural Shift towards Responsible Pet Ownership. The trend signifies a broader movement towards empathy and responsible pet ownership, with the potential for immense impact across the animal welfare field.

The findings from the study underscore a meaningful and positive shift in societal attitudes towards pet ownership and animal welfare.

The results also highlight the multifaceted benefits this trend may bring to individual animals, shelters, and the pet industry as a whole.

This trend towards responsible pet ownership resonates with our mission here at Bone Voyage Dog Rescue to provide shelter dogs from Mexico with a loving forever home.

Methodology: Online panel survey of 3,000 adults based on age, gender, and geography. Internal data sources are used to obtain population data sets. We used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post- stratification weighting. Additional insights were derived from Google Trends.