Shelter Animals Count is the trusted source for collecting and sharing credible and accessible data to positively impact animals and communities. Shelter Animals Count sets industry-wide standards through collaborative input. Thousands of shelters and rescues voluntarily enter their data into The National Database. Data are publicly available and allow for detailed analysis not previously possible.

A variety of attempts were made over the past few decades to create a platform for shelter data reporting – from Asilomar Accords and Live Release Rates, to Naked Data – much has been learned. There was strong desire to come together as an industry and create a standardized database system to collect baseline information nationally.

So in late 2011, a cross-section of animal welfare agencies banded together to create and share The National Database that would enable the measurement of progress in animal welfare, inspire life-saving collaboration and have a positive impact over pet homelessness over time.

This steering committee outlined a vision and in the Fall of 2012, adopted a formal governing Board of Directors and incorporated Shelter Animals Count, a neutral, independent non-profit created to share and steward The National Database of sheltered animals that provides facts and enables insights to save lives.