• Gather and evaluate available national pet population data and relevant materials
• Facilitate communications between organizations that share the National Council's mission
• Provide expertise and resources for gathering and analyzing data pertinent to pet population
• Establish strategies to reduce the number of homeless pets in the U.S.A.

A survey was conducted for four years to gather data regarding the numbers of animals entering and leaving animal shelters. The result of the Shelter Statistics Survey, 1994-97, is available below. The survey examined where the animals came from and where they went.

Two studies were identified and completed resulting in several publications in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. One epidemiological study was the National Household Survey, to characterize the population of pet owners and the acquisition, ownership and disposal of pets. The second, known as the Regional Shelter Survey, was to characterize animals entering shelters, the population of people relinquishing animals, and the reasons for relinquishment.

The publications resulting from these two studies are:

• Understanding Animal Companion Surplus in the United States: Relinquishment of Nonadoptables to Animal Shelters for Euthanasia. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 4(4), 237-248. 2001, Phil Kass.

• Characteristics of Shelter-Relinquished Animals and Their Owners Compared With Animals and Their Owners in U.S. Pet-Owning Households. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 3(3), 179-201. 2000, John C. New, Jr.

• Behavioral Reasons for Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats to 12 Shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 3(2), 93-106. 2000, Mo D. Salman.

• Moving: Characteristics of Dogs and Cats and Those Relinquishing Them to 12 U.S. Animal Shelters. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2(2), 83-86. 1999, John C. New, Jr.

• Reasons for Relinquishment of Companion Animals in U.S. Animal Shelters: Selected Health and Personal Issues. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2(1), 41-57. 1999, Janet M. Scarlett.

• Human and Animal Factors Related to the Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats in 12 Selected Animal Shelters in the United States. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1(3), 207-226. 1998. Mo D. Salman
  
  
• Birth and Death Rate Estimates of Cats and Dogs in U.S. Households and Related Factors. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 7(4) 229-241. 2004. John C. New, Jr.

• Highlights of five scientific papers based upon the findings of
  the Shelter Relinquishment Survey and the Household Survey were published in 2001. 221,184 bytes, updated: 04-22-2001

• The Shelter Statistics Survey, 1994-97.

• The Top Ten Reasons for Pet Relinquishment in the United States

CURRENT STUDIES: The NCPPSP has two research studies underway:

Population Dynamics of Free-Roaming Cats

This study is in the publication phase, and components of this study include:

• A field-work assessment of free-roaming cats
• A survey of community member attitudes
• Citizen observation logs of free-roaming cats and their activities
• Free-roaming cat genetics analysis

Shelter Population Index in Companion Animals: A Multi-Institutional Feasibility Study

This study was just initiated in 2006 and will:

• Establish a valid and consistent estimate or index of shelter dog and cat populations
• Provide an indicator of pet population trends similar to the Dow Jones Industrial Average
• Create a tool that will be reflective of the community's health and well-being rather than an evaluative instrument for shelter analysis

It is our hope that our work will continue to:

• Legitimize the field of pet population research
  
  
• Encourage other scientists to address these issues in their work

Also see our Bibliography section of published articles from many sources.