Source: PR Newswire
A new report from Hill’s Pet Nutrition reveals that large dogs face significant barriers to adoption in U.S. animal shelters, contributing to longer stays and increased shelter overcrowding. According to data from Shelter Animals Count, approximately 2.8 million dogs entered U.S. shelters in 2025. Although large dogs represented only 26% of intakes, they had the longest median shelter stays and the lowest share of adoptions compared to smaller dogs.
Hill’s 2026 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report, based on a survey of 2,000 Americans, found that low adopter confidence, concerns about size, and financial costs are major obstacles to adopting large dogs. Only 33% of people unlikely to adopt a large dog feel confident caring for one, compared with 89% of those open to adoption. Lower adoption fees, discounted training, and financial assistance could significantly increase adoption rates. While younger generations show greater interest in adopting large dogs, housing restrictions and rental limitations often prevent them from doing so.