Supports energy level and beautiful fur in mature indoor cats
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced turkey & liver to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
At Hill’s Pet Nutrition, our mission to enrich the lives of pets and the people who love them includes a long-term commitment to the animal welfare community. As we work to better understand the evolving landscape of pet adoption and improve outcomes for shelter pets, one challenge has become increasingly clear: large dogs are experiencing the longest median lengths of stay compared with small and medium dogs, adding to capacity strains felt by shelters and rescues nationwide.
The 2026 Hill’s State of Shelter Pet Adoption Report: Spotlight on Large Dogs is the fourth edition of our annual research series and our first focused on a specific population of vulnerable animals awaiting adoption. Built on proprietary research from a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults and informed by national shelter data, this year’s report examines the perceptions, barriers and motivations that shape decisions around large dog adoption.
The findings explore generational differences; concerns about space, cost and behavior; and the experiences that influence how people view big dogs. Importantly, the report highlights innovative shelter programs that are successfully improving outcomes for large dogs.
We share this research with the animal welfare community as a practical, data-driven tool to help inform strategy and ultimately connect more large dogs with new homes. We hope this information will be informative to those outside of the animal welfare community with an interest in improving the lives of shelter pets.
"The challenges facing large dogs in shelters are not isolated to any one community — they are national in scope and require shared understanding. This report equips shelter leaders with timely, relevant data that can help guide conversations, shape programs and strengthen outcomes. I encourage shelters across the country to download the report, reference the findings and use this information to drive meaningful, collective action."
Jim Tedford
President and CEO, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
In 2002, the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program was formed in partnership with animal shelters across the country to address challenges facing animal welfare organizations — including providing high-quality nutrition to support the cats and dogs in the care of shelters.
Interested in joining the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program? Email us at
shelters@hillspet.com
In 2002, the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program was formed in partnership with animal shelters across the country to address challenges facing animal welfare organizations — including providing high-quality nutrition to support the cats and dogs in the care of shelters.
Interested in joining the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program? Email us at
shelters@hillspet.com