Pet adoptions in Europe increased significantly from about 4.2 million in 2010 to over 7 million in 2025, with a remarkable spike during the pandemic in 2020-2021.
France leads Europe with over 1.6 million annual adoptions, primarily cats, driven by urban adopters.
Germany is a major destination for cross-border rescues, especially dogs from Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece, and introduced a national pet adoption registry.
The Netherlands has Europe's lowest stray population, notable for high adoption rates of senior pets and animals with special needs.
Romania remains a primary source country for dog adoptions, exporting thousands annually, particularly to Germany, the UK, and Austria.
Cats dominate adoption in Western European cities, accounting for over 50% of annual adoptions in France, while dogs are preferred in rural and Eastern European regions.
Cross-border rescues, especially from Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece, are now standard practice.
Adoption motivations include companionship (74%), support for shelters (53%), and cost-effectiveness (42%); barriers remain due to breed preferences and complex adoption processes.
Legal adoption frameworks vary widely across the EU. Countries with stricter welfare laws often show higher adoption success.
Emerging trends include senior pet adoptions, technology-driven adoption platforms, and EU-wide standardized adoption regulations.
Quick Navigation
📌 Key Takeaways
Adoption Is Rising, But It's Complicated
How Pet Adoption Changed Across Europe (2010-2025)
Top European Countries for Pet Adoption
Cats or Dogs? What Europeans Adopt Most
The Growth of Cross-Border Adoptions
Why People Adopt (And Why They Sometimes Don't)
Legal Frameworks and Adoption Culture
What's Next for European Pet Adoption?
Conclusion
Adoption Is Rising, But It's Complicated
In recent years, adopting pets has become more popular across Europe, yet this isn't a straightforward increase. Adoption rates have experienced increases, drops, and unexpected twists influenced by various factors such as social isolation during the pandemic, increased cross-border adoptions, and fluctuating rates of pets being returned to shelters.
In some European countries, shelters are quickly emptying out due to high demand. Meanwhile, in other regions, shelters remain overwhelmed by strays and abandoned pets. Urban areas favor smaller pets, particularly cats, whereas dogs remain the most popular choice in rural and Eastern regions.
Understanding the changing trends is important, whether you're involved in animal welfare, policy-making, or just curious about pet adoption.
In this article we've dived into the data from 2010 to 2025 to see: 📊 Which countries adopt the most pets 🐶 Whether dogs or cats are more likely to find homes 🌍 How international adoption is shaping the pet landscape ⚖️ And what all of this means for the future of pet welfare in Europe
How Pet Adoption Changed Across Europe (2010-2025)
Over the last 15 years, Europe's approach to pet adoption has evolved in response to economic, social, and humanitarian shifts. And while the overall trend points to increased awareness and compassion, the journey hasn't been linear.
Let's take a look at the key adoption phases and the events that shaped them:
📉 2010-2015: Slow Recovery, Local Focus
The years following the 2008 financial crisis were tough for pet shelters across Europe. Resources were limited, overcrowding was common, especially in Southern and Eastern countries, and adoption numbers grew slowly, if at all.
Most people who adopted during this period did so locally, as cross-border adoptions were still rare and logistically difficult. Pet welfare wasn't yet a prominent issue in the public eye, but this period quietly set the stage for bigger changes ahead. Small, determined organizations were laying the groundwork for a shift in how people viewed and valued shelter animals.
📈 2016-2019: Rise in Awareness & NGO Influence
By the mid-to-late 2010s, animal welfare began gaining real momentum across the EU. Public campaigns promoting "Adopt, Don't Shop" started making waves, particularly in countries like the Netherlands and Germany, where governments and NGOs worked together to raise awareness.
This is also when larger-scale cross-border coordination began taking shape. NGOs such as Four Paws and Eurogroup for Animals started helping relocate pets from countries with high shelter intake to regions where demand for adoption was growing.
With these efforts, adoption numbers started rising, especially for dogs rescued from overcrowded public shelters in Eastern Europe.
🚀 2020-2021: The Adoption Boom
Then came the pandemic, and with it, a turning point. As millions across Europe stayed home and grappled with isolation, many turned to pets for companionship. The result? An unprecedented spike in adoption rates.
In France, both dog and cat adoptions soared. Germany and Austria expanded their cross-border rescue programs to keep up with demand. Adoption websites and online platforms were flooded with inquiries. For the first time in some urban areas, shelters began running out of animals available for adoption, something that would have been unthinkable just a few years earlier.
🪂 2022-2023: Post-Pandemic Reality Check
But once lockdowns eased and people resumed their normal routines, the challenges returned, but in a different form. Shelters across Europe started seeing more animals being returned, particularly by younger pet parents and those who had adopted for the first time. A noticeable number of surrenders were tied to behavioral issues, often the result of pets not being properly socialized or trained during the isolation period.
This sudden wave of returns put pressure on shelter systems again, especially in countries like the UK and the Netherlands. Even so, overall adoption rates didn't drop back to where they were pre-2020, suggesting that the cultural shift toward rescue had staying power.
🐾 2024-2025: Stabilization with New Priorities
As we approach the present, the picture is starting to settle. Adoption rates across Europe have found a steadier rhythm, not too high, not too low, but the nature of those adoptions is evolving.
There's growing interest in adopting senior pets, especially in places like the Netherlands, where the public is increasingly open to giving older animals a second chance. At the same time, cross-border rescues are becoming more organized and consistent. NGOs are now calling for clearer, EU-wide adoption regulations to improve transparency and prevent abuse. Today's adoption landscape is more compassionate and collaborative than ever before, even as it continues to face complex challenges.
Top European Countries for Pet Adoption
While the pet adoption landscape varies across Europe, some countries consistently lead the way, and not just in numbers, but in progressive policies, shelter systems, and public attitudes toward rescue.
Here's a breakdown of the most active pet-adopting countries in Europe, based on recent trends and available data from 2010-2025:
France: Big Numbers, Big Hearts
France has one of the highest total pet adoption rates in Europe, especially for cats.
The country reports over 1.6 million adoptions per year, with cats making up the majority.
Over the last decade, mandatory identification laws and shelter campaigns have helped reduce stray populations.
Urban adoption rates are high, driven by smaller dog breeds and indoor cats.
Germany: A Leader in Cross-Border Rescue
Germany has a strong rescue culture — and it doesn't stop at its borders.
Many dogs from Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece are adopted into German homes every year.
Strict local breeding regulations and a population that overwhelmingly supports animal welfare have created consistent demand for shelter pets.
Germany is one of the first countries to adopt a national pet adoption registry in collaboration with NGOs.
Netherlands: Low Shelter Intake, High Special-Needs Adoptions
The Netherlands has one of Europe's lowest stray populations, thanks to spay/neuter campaigns and public education.
The country reports higher-than-average adoption rates of senior pets and animals with medical or behavioral challenges.
Many shelters now operate on appointment-based adoptions, which reflects a modern, streamlined system with fewer returns.
Romania: A Source Country for Dog Adoptions
While Romania has high numbers of shelter dogs, many are adopted abroad.
NGOs facilitate thousands of cross-border adoptions annually, especially into Germany, the UK, and Austria.
The country has growing support from international rescue partners.
United Kingdom: A Culture of Rescue
The UK has a long-standing pet welfare culture, with organizations like the RSPCA and Battersea leading the way.
Adoption rates surged during the pandemic and have remained above pre-2020 levels.
The UK public is highly supportive of adoption over buying, especially since retail puppy and kitten sales were banned.
Cats or Dogs? What Europeans Adopt Most
When it comes to adoption preferences, Europe is a divided continent.
In the countryside and small towns, dogs remain loyal companions of choice, often seen bounding through fields or curled up by the fireplace in family homes. Meanwhile, in the heart of Europe's cities, cats have taken the crown. They're the rulers of apartment and the preferred choice for single-person households, retirees, and anyone who appreciates a bit of independence with their affection. This is a reflection of how our environments shape who we bring into our lives.
Here's what the data shows:
🐕 Dogs Dominate in Rural and Eastern Europe
In countries like Romania, Poland, and Hungary, dog adoption leads the pack, often due to:
More spacious living environments
A tradition of working or guarding dogs
High numbers of stray or shelter dogs available, especially medium to large breeds
Shelters in these regions report more dogs than cats available for adoption, and NGOs frequently export dogs abroad due to domestic overcapacity.
🐈 Cats Rule in Western and Urban Areas
In countries like France, the Netherlands, and the UK, cats often outnumber dogs in shelter adoptions:
Ideal for apartment living
Lower day-to-day costs and care needs
More cats available in urban shelter networks
France, for instance, now reports more than 50% of annual adoptions are cats, driven by city-based adopters and retirees.
💬 Small Pets on the Rise
There's also a quiet third contender: rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets. These pets are increasingly adopted by:
Young adults in urban areas
Families with allergy concerns or rental restrictions
Though they represent a smaller share, their adoption rates have grown steadily over the past 5 years in countries like Germany and the UK.
🧠
Understanding species preferences helps shape: shelter intake planning, international adoption routes and targeted adoption campaigns (e.g. "Seniors for Senior Cats")
The Growth of Cross-Border Adoptions
One of the most remarkable changes in European pet adoption over the past decade has been the growth of cross-border rescue networks. As Western European countries run short on adoptable shelter animals, and Eastern countries face overpopulation, a new kind of rescue effort emerged, one built on teamwork, transport vans, and a whole lot of heart.
Today, animals that might have once been overlooked or euthanized are finding homes hundreds of kilometers away, thanks to coordinated efforts between shelters, NGOs, and adopters who believe that love knows no borders.
🚚 Pets on the Move: How It Works
Countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland regularly import adoptable animals (mostly dogs) from countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain and Portugal.
These pets are often strays or rescues from under-resourced shelters, transported under EU animal transport regulations by specialized NGOs.
🐕 Why Dogs Travel More Than Cats
While some cats are adopted across borders, dogs dominate international adoption efforts. Why?
Dog overpopulation is more common in exporting countries.
Dogs are more likely to be rescued from public shelters, street situations, or kill stations.
Behavioral and health evaluations during transport are easier to document for dogs.
Many Western adopters are especially interested in large mixed breeds, Shepherd mixes, "street dogs" or former strays, often viewed as resilient and unique.
🤝 NGOs and Rescue Networks
Organizations like Four Paws, ROLDA, Dog Rescue Romania, Tierhilfe, and Eurogroup for Animals coordinate thousands of cross-border adoptions every year. They also:
Handle vetting, documentation, and transport logistics
Educate adopters about integration and trauma recovery
Lobby for better pan-European animal welfare standards
🚫 Challenges and Controversies
Cross-border rescue isn't without debate:
Some countries argue that local shelter pets should be prioritized over imports.
Concerns exist around disease control, false documentation, and adopters underestimating trauma in rescued dogs.
EU laws vary, which can lead to gaps in oversight.
Still, most experts agree: when done responsibly, cross-border adoption saves lives and helps balance supply and demand across the continent.
Why People Adopt (And Why They Sometimes Don't)
When it comes to pet adoption, motivations are as varied as the pets themselves. But the numbers across Europe reveal some common threads and barriers.
🐾 Why People Choose to Adopt
According to the 2023 Eurogroup for Animals survey, the most common reasons Europeans give for adopting a pet are:
Companionship: 74% said they wanted a loyal friend at home.
Support for shelters: 53% adopted to give an animal a second chance.
Cost-effectiveness: 42% believed adoption was more affordable than buying.
Belief in ethical treatment: Many adopters cited opposition to breeding mills and commercial pet trade.
Interestingly, countries with strong animal welfare education programs (like Sweden and the Netherlands), report higher percentages of adopters who cite ethics as their top motivation.
🚫 Why Some Still Don't
Despite growing interest in adoption, barriers persist. Data collected from European shelter reports and animal welfare NGOs between 2018 and 2023 point to a few recurring deterrents:
Desire for specific breeds: Especially in France, Germany, and Italy, many would-be adopters still prefer to buy pets that meet exact breed expectations.
Perceptions about shelter animals: Concerns about behavior issues or age are a common reason people hesitate to adopt.
Adoption process hurdles: In some countries, strict screening processes or long waiting times push people toward breeders.
Lack of awareness: In Eastern Europe in particular, some pet seekers are still unaware that adoption is an option at all.
📊
One study in Poland found that nearly 60% of people looking for a dog didn't even consider adoption simply because they didn't know where to begin.
This contrast between intention and reality is one of the main challenges in increasing adoption rates: the desire is often there, but education, visibility, and accessibility still lag behind in many areas.
Legal Frameworks and Adoption Culture
Across Europe, the laws that govern pet adoption vary widely, and so does the culture around it. In some countries, adopting from a shelter is the norm, while in others, it's still considered a last resort.
🏛️ What the Law Says
While the EU has overarching animal welfare directives, there's no unified adoption law. Each country sets its own standards:
Germany: Adoption is highly regulated. Shelters (Tierheime) require background checks, home visits, and mandatory contracts. This creates trust in the system, but also a high entry barrier.
UK: The Animal Welfare Act 2006 encourages adoption, and major charities like RSPCA and Battersea set best practices, but there's no legal mandate for shelter sourcing.
Netherlands: The country is a model of preventative policy. Strict breeding regulations, education campaigns, and robust shelter support make adoption the primary pet acquisition method.
Education and trust in local shelters are more powerful drivers of adoption than legislation alone. - 2022 Eurobarometer
Beyond laws, adoption culture is shaped by tradition, trust, and visibility.
In Nordic countries, adopting a pet is seen as responsible and compassionate.
In Southern and Eastern Europe, buying purebred pets (especially for status or specific traits) is still more culturally accepted.
Public trust in shelters also plays a role. In countries where shelters are underfunded or poorly regulated, people are less likely to adopt due to fears of health or behavior issues.
What's Next for European Pet Adoption?
As we look beyond 2025, Europe's pet adoption landscape is likely to keep evolving, not just through policy, but through the values and behaviors of a new generation of pet parents.
Adoption Will Become the Default In Some Places
Western and Northern European countries are steadily shifting toward an adoption-first culture, thanks to:
Strong NGO involvement
Ongoing "Adopt, Don't Shop" campaigns
Growing public concern for ethical sourcing and shelter overcrowding
In cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, and Stockholm, adoption is already the norm. That trend is expected to solidify.
Senior Pets, Special Needs, and Second Chances
An emerging (and heartwarming) trend: older and special-needs pet adoptions are rising across the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK.
This is driven by:
Increased support from rescue organizations
Adopters seeking calmer companions
Growing awareness that "less adoptable" doesn't mean less lovable
We may see a future where adoption isn't just for the puppies and kittens, but for pets of all ages and abilities.
Cross-Border Collaboration Will Expand
As long as some countries face shelter overcrowding and others face adoption demand, cross-border rescue programs will continue to grow. But expect more structure:
Calls for EU-wide adoption regulations are getting louder
Tracking systems and transport vetting are improving
The next step may be a unified European pet adoption registry
Tech & Transparency Will Boost Trust
From shelter management software to virtual meet-and-greets, adoption will become faster, more transparent, and more adopter-friendly.
Expect:
More apps and websites that match pets to potential homes
Better pre- and post-adoption support
Virtual home checks, video diaries, and AI-assisted behavior reports
In Short: Adoption Will Evolve With Us
As Europe continues to urbanize, digitize, and age, adoption trends will follow suit. What will stay constant? The need for compassion, education, and well-supported rescue systems.
Because in the end, adoption should be about building a culture that values second chances, ethical choices, and lifelong companionship.
Conclusion
Across Europe, the pet adoption movement is growing. From busy cities to quiet villages, more people are opening their homes to animals in need. But as we've seen, the story isn't as simple as "more adoptions = mission accomplished."
The real picture is much more complex:
Some countries can't meet adoption demand, while others struggle with overflowing shelters.
Cross-border collaboration is saving lives but still lacks regulation.
Cultural attitudes, misinformation, and systemic barriers continue to shape who adopts… and who doesn't.
Even so, there's a lot to feel hopeful about. Today, adoption is more accepted, more encouraged, and more visible than ever. And the more we keep the conversation going, the more we share the numbers, the progress, the challenges, the closer we get to a future where adoption is the first instinct and not a second choice.
Europe's already on that journey. Let's keep going, together. 🐾
📚 Sources & References Eurogroup for Animals – Pet Adoption Survey Reports (2018–2023) FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) – Annual Facts & Figures RSPCA (UK) – Pet Welfare and Adoption Reports Four Paws International – Cross-Border Rescue Reports European Commission – EU Animal Welfare Strategy Documents Statista – Pet Ownership & Adoption Data by Country World Animal Protection – Companion Animal Policy Rankings Dog Rescue Romania – International Adoption Statistics Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – Post-Adoption Behavior Reports Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science – European Shelter Trends Tierhilfe Germany – Pet Transport & Adoption Case Studies Royal Canin Europe – Pet Ownership Trends and Demographics European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF) – 2022–2024 Overview Reports
Written by
Alexandra Soanca
I’ve gained a deep understanding of the challenges and emotions that come with searching for a missing pet, and I’m here to provide guidance, support, and a little bit of hope along the way.
When I'm not helping reunite lost pets with their pet parents, you’ll likely find me spending time with my own furry companion, Valla - a curious gray tabby with a **very** independent spirit.
