This is an important measure as it shows us how much spay/neuter is being done in a shelter’s area and is it enough to reverse current trends of increasing annual intake (the number of homeless animals).
For the purpose of our analysis, and through averaging data, we set 20% and under of puppies as a percentage of total dog intake as representing an acceptable level. Our data indicated that things were much worse for cats. Therefore, we set an acceptable percentage of kittens to total cat intake at 40%.
As you can see from the data below, in Michigan, puppies made up about 20% of total dog intake. This means that, while there is room for improvement, spay and neuter of dogs is being addressed and resulting in lower puppy intake (homelessness). Again, Covid impacted 2020 numbers. We do not feel there were fewer puppies born in 2020 but rather the option to take them to a shelter was reduced by limited hours and this accounts for the decrease in puppy intake in 2020 and spay/neuter options were limited as well.
It is much different for cats (and kittens) in Michigan. The percentage of kittens entering Michigan shelters as compared to total cat intake increased for years 2017 – 2020. While actual kitten intake declined slightly in 2020, we again attribute this to reduced intake hours at shelters due to Covid and not the effects of any increased attention to cat spay/neuter. The data below shows the increasing percentages of kittens to cats and is well above our 40% acceptable goal.
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Covid 2020 | |
| Total Puppy Intake % to Dogs | 11525 19% | 13066 19% | 12816 19% | 11076 21% |
| Acceptable % | 20% | 20% | 20% | 20% |
| Total Kitten Intake % to Cats | 27742 43% | 31906 47% | 34838 48% | 30820 50% |
| Acceptable % | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% |