In the 2023 financial year, over nine thousand missing pets in Australia were reunited with their owners through the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), including approximately 4.77 thousand dogs and 1.53 thousand cats. Overall, the number of animals from the RSPCA reclaimed by their owners each year has been on a downturn since 2018.
Second chances for furry friends
Besides pets reunited with their owners, approximately another 34 thousand animals were successfully rehomed by RSPCA that year. The decline in the number of reclaimed and rehomed animals over the years resonated with the decreasing number of total animals received by all RSPCA facilities, which amounted to just over 87 thousand as of June 2023. These downward trends can partially be attributed to increased pet adoption rates, as millions of people were forced to spend more time in isolation due to the pandemic.
Pandemic pet frenzy
Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Australia witnessed a massive surge in the number of animal-owning households; an addition of over one million households welcomed at least a dog or a cat to their families. The desire to adopt a dog or a cat also remained high across the country, especially among those who already owned at least one pet. While these “pandemic puppies” were a substantial source of emotional strength and support for many households, concerns were raised about the pets’ well-being amid lengthy lockdowns and how they would adapt to potentially drastic changes in lifestyles post-pandemic.
Total number of animals reclaimed by owners from the RSPCA in Australia from financial year 2018 to 2023
(in 1,000s)
Characteristic
Dogs
Cats
Other pets
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Australia's financial year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the stated year; for example, financial year 2021 starts on July 1, 2020 and ends on June 30, 2021.
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Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Australia). (January 2, 2024). Total number of animals reclaimed by owners from the RSPCA in Australia from financial year 2018 to 2023 (in 1,000s) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301912/total-number-animals-reclaimed-rspca-australia/
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Australia). "Total number of animals reclaimed by owners from the RSPCA in Australia from financial year 2018 to 2023 (in 1,000s)." Chart. January 2, 2024. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301912/total-number-animals-reclaimed-rspca-australia/
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Australia). (2024). Total number of animals reclaimed by owners from the RSPCA in Australia from financial year 2018 to 2023 (in 1,000s). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301912/total-number-animals-reclaimed-rspca-australia/
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Australia). "Total Number of Animals Reclaimed by Owners from The Rspca in Australia from Financial Year 2018 to 2023 (in 1,000s)." Statista, Statista Inc., 2 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301912/total-number-animals-reclaimed-rspca-australia/
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Australia), Total number of animals reclaimed by owners from the RSPCA in Australia from financial year 2018 to 2023 (in 1,000s) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301912/total-number-animals-reclaimed-rspca-australia/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Total number of animals reclaimed by owners from the RSPCA in Australia from financial year 2018 to 2023 (in 1,000s) [Graph], Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Australia), January 2, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301912/total-number-animals-reclaimed-rspca-australia/