8,000 Cats, Dogs Killed At MD Animal Shelters Last Year: Data

MARYLAND — More than 8,000 cats and dogs were euthanized in Maryland shelters last year, according to data compiled by a national animal advocacy organization.

Data collected by the Best Friends Animal Society shows Maryland still does a better job than most states saving homeless animals; however, shelters across the state reported that 8,194 cats and dogs were euthanized in 2023.

The most deaths were reported in Prince George's County, where nearly 1,900 animals were euthanized. According to the data, all 1,877 deaths were reported by the Prince George's County Animal Services Facility in Upper Marlboro.

"This shelter is government-run with a mandate to handle animal services in one or more communities in the area," the data states. "Agencies like this one routinely work with limited resources and space. But with help from community members, they can help sustain safe, humane neighborhoods for pets and people."

Charles County and Baltimore City followed with 1,288 and 1,009 deaths, respectively.

“Roughly 7 million people in America are planning to acquire a pet this year, and if just 6 percent more people chose to adopt versus purchase their pets, we would end the killing of dogs and cats in our nation’s shelters,” Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, said in a news release.

According to the data, the most deaths were reported in Texas in California. In Texas, more than 82,600 cats and dogs were euthanized in 2023, followed by more than 66,000 in California.

Despite reported deaths in Maryland, shelters were able to save or find homes for nearly 58,259 of the 73,625 animals in their care.

According to the Best Friends Animal Society, the organization is working with Maryland animal welfare organizations and stakeholders statewide to reach statewide no-kill status by 2025.