IL,State of Illinois Licensed Animal Shelters
2023
There were 532 licensed shelters that reported as part of the license renewal process. “Within the area” refers to instate activity. “Outside area” refers to out of state. Animals that have been imported from outside our country are combined with “Transfers in from outside area” for graphing purposes but are listed separately below.
Dogs
Beginning count: 10,919
Owner surrender: 13,357
Stray: 6099
Impounded (not stray): 1153
Confiscated: 3
Imported from out of country: 657
Born in care: 1531
Owner req. euth: 1137
Died in care: 492
Missing/stolen/escaped: 76
Ending count: 8331
Cats
Beginning count: 14,199
Owner surrender: 16,272
Stray: 17,968
Impounded (not stray): 653
Confiscated: 0
Imported from out of country: 189
Born in care: 2432
Returned to field: 1679
Owner req. euth: 430
Died in care: 1651
Missing/stolen/escaped: 64
Ending count: 11,758
2022
There were 475 facilities reporting as part of the licensing process. Animals that have been imported from outside our country are combined with “Transfers in from outside area” for graphing purposes but are listed separately below.
Dogs
Beginning count: 8805
Owner surrender: 14,355
Stray: 4758
Impounded (not stray): 886
Confiscated: 9
Imported from out of country: 277
Born in care: 2122
Owner req. euth: 1500
Died in care: 514
Missing/stolen/escaped: 16
Ending count: 7396
Cats
Beginning count: 12,912
Owner surrender: 14,348
Stray: 16,251
Impounded (not stray): 459
Confiscated: 23
Imported from out of country: 4
Born in care: 3132
Returned to field: 2379
Owner req. euth: 636
Died in care: 1636
Missing/stolen/escaped: 14
Ending count: 9128
2021
There were 500 facilities reporting as part of the licensing process. Animals that have been imported from outside our country are combined with “Transfers in from outside area” for graphing purposes but are listed separately below.
Dogs
Beginning count: 10,625
Owner surrender: 13,210
Stray: 5145
Impounded (not stray): 968
Confiscated: 32
Imported from out of country: 918
Born in care: 1796
Owner req. euth: 847
Died in care: 509
Missing/stolen/escaped: 8
Ending count: 7685
Cats
Beginning count: 13,110
Owner surrender: 16,311
Stray: 16,966
Impounded (not stray): 632
Confiscated: 5
Imported from out of country: 108
Born in care: 2500
Returned to field: 2297
Owner req. euth: 828
Died in care: 1763
Missing/stolen/escaped: 9
Ending count: 12,183
2020
There were 487 licensed animal shelters. Animals that have been imported from outside our country are combined with “Transfers in from outside area” for graphing purposes but are listed separately below.
Dogs
Beginning count: 8805
Owner surrender: 14355
Stray: 4758
Impounded (not stray): 886
Confiscated: 9
Imported from out of country: 277
Born in care: 2122
Owner req. euth: 1500
Died in care: 514
Missing/stolen/escaped: 16
Ending count: 7396
Cats
Beginning count: 12912
Owner surrender: 14348
Stray: 16251
Impounded (not stray): 459
Confiscated: 23
Imported from out of country: 4
Born in care: 3132
Returned to field: 2379
Owner req. euth: 636
Died in care: 1636
Missing/stolen/escaped: 14
Ending count: 9128
2019
Beginning in the 2021 renewal process, the State of Illinois has requested more information than they had previously. The details can be found below. Animals that have been imported from outside our country are combined with “Transfers in from outside area” for graphing purposes but are listed separately below. There were 446 licensed animal shelters in 2019.
Dogs
Beginning count: 8369
Owner surrender: 18,207
Stray: 8097
Impounded (not stray): 1898
Confiscated: 99
Imported from out of country: 122
Born in care: 2096
Owner req. euth: 1396
Died in care: 657
Missing/stolen/escaped: 17
Ending count: 7724
Cats
Beginning count: 11,804
Owner surrender: 19,574
Stray: 17,597
Impounded (not stray): 1336
Confiscated: 62
Imported from out of country: 4
Born in care: 4708
Returned to field: 2253
Owner req. euth: 724
Died in care: 1908
Missing/stolen/escaped: 31
Ending count: 11577
2017
There were 475 licensed animal shelters in 2017.
Dogs
Beginning count: 9384
Ending count: 7692
Cats
Beginning count: 13,226
Ending count: 12,863
2018
There were 450 licensed animal shelters in 2018.
Dogs
Beginning count: 9739
Ending count: 7213
Cats
Beginning count: 12,851
Ending count: 11,768
