More Dogs, Fewer Cats Were Euthanized At Union Shelters In 2017

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A total of 41 dogs and 91 cats were euthanized by Union County animal shelters in 2017, a new report by the state Department of Health (DOH) shows.

Compared to in 2016 when 34 dogs and 103 cats were euthanized by Union County animal shelters.

The DOH released its annual Animal Intake and Disposition Survey for 2017 this week, a voluntary effort from the state's licensed animal shelters that chronicles important data, including intakes, euthanasias, adoptions and redemptions.

Gloucester County had the highest number of euthanizations with 162 dogs and 1,305 cats in 2017.

Although 52 percent of all impounded dogs and cats were adopted into new homes, 13 percent of them were euthanized last year across the state, the DOH reported.

The numbers for impounded and adopted dogs and cats for 2016 and 2017 were:

In 2017 in Union County, 899 dogs and 973 cats were impounded. Of those, 447 dogs and 714 cats were adopted, the report shows.

Compared to in 2016 in Union County, 1,131 dogs and 1,028 cats were impounded. Of those, 647 dogs and 732 cats were adopted.

Camden had the most with 3,431 dogs and 3,640 cats adopted in 2017.

STATEWIDE TOTALS

In total, New Jersey's 2017 intake and disposition stats included:

• 84,843 impounded animals
• 10,536 redeemed animals
• 43,990 adopted animals
• 11,160 euthanized animals

The DOH cautions that individual county statistics on this report “may not accurately reflect impound rates” because some facilities contract with municipalities in more than one county.

Click here to read the full report.

(Image via Shutterstock)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.