New report details why large dogs spend longer in shelters

Version 1

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has released its 2026 State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report: Spotlight on Large Dogs, putting numbers behind a problem many shelters already know well: big dogs wait longer for homes. Using a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults and Shelter Animals Count data, Hill’s found that large dogs accounted for 26% of dog intakes, but just 22% of adoptions, and their median length of stay to adoption was 17 days in 2025, versus 10 days for small dogs. The report points to a mix of adopter confidence gaps, cost concerns, and housing restrictions. Among respondents unlikely to adopt a large dog, just 33% said they felt confident handling and caring for one, compared with 89% of those likely to adopt, while food costs, physical manageability, living space, and veterinary expenses were among the top barriers cited. (hillspet.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the report frames large-dog adoption as more than a shelter operations issue. It suggests practices may have a practical role in reducing adoption friction through early counseling, realistic cost discussions, behavior and training guidance, and fast post-adoption follow-up. That aligns with AVMA policy encouraging veterinary teams and shelters to educate new pet parents, support access to regular care, and address root causes of relinquishment, including behavior problems, barriers to veterinary care, and housing concerns. Hill’s report also found that financial help for initial costs, discounted training, documented behavior assessments, foster-to-adopt options, and post-adoption behavioral support were among the programs most likely to motivate adoption. (theaawa.org)

What to watch: Expect more shelters, industry partners, and practices to test lower-barrier adoption models, especially foster-to-adopt, fee support, and structured large-dog transition programs. (theaawa.org)