Large dogs still face longer shelter waits, Hill’s report finds

Large dogs are staying in shelters longer than smaller dogs, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition is arguing that the gap is driven less by lack of interest than by practical and confidence-related barriers. In its 2026 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report, based on a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults and national shelter data, Hill’s said large dogs account for 26% of dog intakes but just 22% of adoptions, while median time to adoption was 17 days for large dogs in 2025 versus 14 days for medium dogs and 12 days for small dogs. The report points to adopter concerns around food costs, physical ability to manage a large dog, limited living space, veterinary expenses, and transport or travel challenges. (hillspet.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the report puts client education and cost communication at the center of the adoption conversation. Hill’s findings suggest many households aren’t ruling out large dogs entirely, but they are hesitating over handling, housing, and affordability. That creates an opening for practices, shelters, and community clinics to support adoptions with clearer preventive-care estimates, behavior guidance, post-adoption check-ins, and partnerships that reduce early financial friction for pet parents. The broader shelter backdrop matters, too: Shelter Animals Count has reported that large dog adoptions declined in 2025 and that longer stays, rather than intake spikes alone, are contributing to capacity strain. (theaawa.org)

What to watch: Expect more shelters and veterinary partners to test fee-waived events, lower-friction adoption processes, and targeted support programs for large dogs as overcrowding pressures continue. (theaawa.org)