Wyoming Leads U.S. in Cat-Saving Rate, Surprising the Nation
Nearly 1.5 million cats were saved by U.S. shelters during the 12-month period studied, averaging about 4,096 cats a day, 171 an hour, and one every 21 seconds. Wyoming’s shelters saved 5,918 cats, the highest rate of any state at 1,024 cats per 100,000 residents-roughly one cat for every 98 people. The national average was 451.3 cats per 100,000 residents, so Wyoming’s rate was more than twice that.
The Mountain West dominated the list: Colorado ranked second with 949 cats per 100,000 residents, Idaho 794, New Mexico 791, Montana 741, and Utah 716. Six of the top eight states were in that region. Florida, while saving the most cats in raw numbers (137,949), finished 12th when adjusted for population.
A “saved” cat is one that left the shelter alive, whether adopted, reunited, transferred, or released to a managed colony. The study did not measure adoptions alone.
John Butterworth, marketing lead at KittySpout, noted that the numbers honor the people who make the process possible, emphasizing that cats do not arrange their own adoptions.
The bottom of the list saw Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and New Hampshire, with only 15 shelters reporting from Connecticut, highlighting uneven data reporting across states.
Key takeaways
- Wyoming tops the U.S. in cat-saving rate, with 1,024 cats per 100,000 residents.
- Six of the top eight states are in the Mountain West.
- A “saved” cat means it left the shelter alive, not necessarily adopted.
- Florida saved the most cats overall but ranks 12th when adjusted for population.
- Data reporting varies widely, affecting state rankings.
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Originally reported by iHeartCats. Read the full article.
Cover photo by Lorenzo Magagnini via Pexels.
