Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain
Adoption on Miwuki in 2021
Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain with 2021 data: listed cases, profiles, recorded adoptions and, where available, requests and returns.
Listed cases
12,026
0.6% more than in 2020
In 2021
Recorded adoptions
7,838
17.7% fewer than in 2020
In 2021
Key points of 2021
The most relevant findings of the year. Each one states its figure, its period and its main limitation.
H-2021-01Descriptive
Cases listed in 2021
12,026
cases listed in 2021, 0.6% more than in 2020
Details
In 2021, 12,026 animal cases were listed for adoption on Miwuki in Spain, 0.6% more than in 2020: 6,790 dogs, 5,022 cats and 214 of other species.
Limitation: It measures cases listed on Miwuki, not abandonment or shelter intakes across Spain.
LinkCite
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-01). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-01
H-2021-02Descriptive
Dogs and cats in 2021
41.8%
of 2021 cases were cats (dogs: 56.5%)
Details
In 2021, cats made up 41.8% of the cases listed on Miwuki in Spain, 2.6 percentage points higher than in 2020; dogs made up 56.5%.
Limitation: It describes the make-up of the cases listed on Miwuki; it does not show how many dogs or cats are looking for a home across Spain.
LinkCite
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-02). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-02
H-2021-03Descriptive
Shelters and private individuals
31.1%
of 2021 cases were listed by private individuals
Details
In 2021, 31.1% of the cases listed on Miwuki in Spain were listed by private individuals looking for a new home for their animal, and 68.9% by shelters and other organisations.
Limitation: Private individuals have been listing animals on Miwuki since December 2018. “Shelters and other organisations” includes shelters, associations, rescuers, feral cat colonies and public administrations.
LinkCite
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-03). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-03
H-2021-05Descriptive
Recorded adoptions
7,838
adoptions recorded in 2021, 17.7% fewer than in 2020
Details
In 2021, 7,838 adoptions of animals listed in Spain were recorded on Miwuki, corresponding to 7,674 distinct cases, 17.7% fewer than in 2020 in number of adoptions.
Limitation: These are the adoptions that publishers record on the platform; some adoptions may not be recorded. A case may have more than one adoption if the animal is adopted more than once.
LinkCite
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-05). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-05
H-2021-25Descriptive
Housing: what is chosen from the list
3.0%
of private individuals chose “pets not allowed at home”
Details
In 2021, 3.0% of the private individuals who listed on Miwuki chose “pets not allowed at home” as the reason for looking for a new home for their animal, and 14.8% a change of address.
Limitation: It is the reason stated by the publisher, with a single option per case.
LinkCite
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-25). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-25
More findings from this year (21)
- 11.1%
Hard-to-place animals
of shelter cases were flagged as “hard to place”
Limitation: The flag is optional and each publisher may use it differently.
Details
In 2021, 11.1% of the cases listed by shelters on Miwuki in Spain carried the “hard to place” flag, which is set by the publisher. On Miwuki only shelters use it.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-07). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-07
- 88.2%
Age and adoption
of puppies adopted within 180 days (adult dogs: 54.8%)
Limitation: Descriptive association in shelter cases: it does not show that age is the cause. It only counts adoptions recorded on Miwuki.
Details
Among the dogs listed by shelters on Miwuki in Spain in 2021, 88.2% of puppies had an adoption recorded within 180 days of listing, compared with 54.8% of adults (33.4 percentage points lower).
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-08). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-08
- 42.0%
Hard to place
of hard-to-place dogs adopted within 180 days
Limitation: Each shelter sets the flag voluntarily. It is an association, not a cause, and it only counts adoptions recorded on Miwuki.
Details
In 2021, 42.0% of the dogs listed by shelters on Miwuki in Spain with the “hard to place” flag were adopted within 180 days, compared with 72.8% of the rest (30.8 percentage points lower).
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-09). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-09
- 43.4%
PPP dogs
of PPP-flagged dogs adopted within 180 days (others: 71.5%)
Limitation: Descriptive association: the PPP flag tends to go with size and age, and adopting a PPP dog requires a licence. It only counts adoptions recorded on Miwuki.
Details
Among the dogs listed by shelters on Miwuki in Spain in 2021, 43.4% of those with the PPP flag had an adoption recorded within 180 days, compared with 71.5% of the rest (28.1 percentage points lower).
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-11). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-11
- 87.0%
Age in years
of dogs under one year old adopted within 180 days
Limitation: Age is calculated from the date of birth in the profile, which is often estimated. Association, not causation.
Details
Among the shelter dogs listed on Miwuki in Spain in 2021, 87.0% of those under one year old, 50.1% of those aged three to five and 54.8% of those aged nine or older were adopted within 180 days.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-12). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-12
- 35.0%
Dogs with leishmaniasis
of dogs with leishmania adopted within 180 days (others: 70.1%)
Limitation: The flag is set by the publisher. Association, not causation.
Details
In 2021, 35.0% of the dogs listed by shelters on Miwuki in Spain with the leishmaniasis flag were adopted within 180 days, compared with 70.1% of the rest (35.1 percentage points lower).
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-13). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-13
- 19.2%
The reason private individuals choose
of private individuals chose “lack of time or space”
Limitation: One option per case, from the platform list. Private individuals only.
Details
In 2021, 19.2% of the private individuals who listed on Miwuki chose “lack of time or space” as the reason for looking for a new home for their animal, and 14.8% a change of address.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-15). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-15
- 25.4%
Microchip when listed
of cats from private individuals were microchipped (shelters: 82.4%)
Limitation: Stated by the publisher when creating the profile.
Details
In 2021, according to the profile, 25.4% of the cats listed by private individuals on Miwuki in Spain had a microchip, compared with 82.4% of shelter cats.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-16). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-16
- 13
Days to adoption
days to adoption (median), puppies (adult dogs: 43)
Limitation: It only counts cases adopted within that period and adoptions recorded on Miwuki.
Details
Among the shelter dogs listed on Miwuki in Spain in 2021 and adopted within 180 days, half were adopted in under 13 days if they were puppies and in under 43 days if they were adults (30 days more).
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-19). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-19
- 67.9%
What people look for and what is available
of people seeking a dog ticked “small” (several could be ticked)
Limitation: Only people who fill in the form answer it and several sizes can be ticked; it does not represent everyone who adopts.
Details
In 2021, 67.9% of those who filled in the “Perfect pet” form to adopt a dog ticked that they were looking for a small one (several sizes could be ticked); among the dogs listed on Miwuki in Spain that year, 18.5% were small.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-20). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-20
Christmas
At Christmas 2021 (from 15 December to 6 January), animal cases were listed on Miwuki in Spain at a rate 13.5% fewer per day than in the previous three weeks, and adoptions were recorded at a rate 17.3% fewer per day than in the previous three weeks.
Limitation: It describes the calendar, not its causes.
Details
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-23). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-23
- 47
Who waits longest
days to adoption, hard-to-place dogs (puppies: 13)
Limitation: It only counts shelter dogs adopted within 180 days, and the flag is set by the publisher. It is an association, not a cause.
Details
Among shelter dogs listed on Miwuki in Spain in 2021 and adopted within 180 days, half of those flagged as “hard to place” were adopted in under 47 days, compared with 13 days for puppies and 52 for PPP dogs.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-26). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-26
- 61.5%
Budget and hours alone
of people seeking a dog would leave it alone under four hours
Limitation: It is what form respondents say, not what they do later, and only those who fill in the form answer.
Details
In 2021, 56.7% of the people who filled in the “Perfect pet” form to adopt a dog said they would spend “whatever is needed” each month, and 61.5% that the dog would be alone for under four hours a day.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-28). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-28
- 1.6%
Adopting in pairs
of dogs had to be adopted with another animal (cats: 4.1%)
Limitation: The flag is set by the publisher. We do not know how many of these adoptions actually take place together.
Details
In 2021, 1.6% of dogs and 4.1% of cats listed on Miwuki in Spain had to be adopted together with another animal.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-29). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-29
- 30.9%
Private owners rehome older animals
of private owners' dogs were under one year old
Limitation: Age is calculated from the date of birth in the profile, which is often estimated.
Details
In 2021, 30.9% of the dogs listed by private owners on Miwuki were under one year old, compared with 45.3% of shelter dogs. Among cats, 57.2% compared with 74.3%.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-30). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-30
- 63.1%
More males among private owners' dogs
of private owners' dogs were male
Limitation: Stated by the publisher; we do not know why more males are rehomed.
Details
In 2021, 63.1% of the dogs listed by private owners on Miwuki were male, compared with 55.3% of shelter dogs.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-31). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-31
- 77.0%
Private owners' cases left open
of private owners' cases are still “up for adoption” at cut-off
Limitation: Many private owners do not close the case: we do not know whether the animal was adopted outside Miwuki, stayed at home or was withdrawn, so their adoptions are not compared with those of shelters.
Details
Of the cases listed by private owners in 2021, 77.0% were still “up for adoption” on the cut-off date and 19.5% appeared as adopted; in shelters, 81.7% appeared as adopted.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-33). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-33
- 53.3%
First dog, more hours alone
of first-time dog seekers would leave it alone under four hours
Limitation: Only people who fill in “Perfect pet” answer it, and it is what they expect, not what happens later.
Details
In 2021, 53.3% of the people about to have their first dog said in “Perfect pet” that it would be alone for under four hours a day, compared with 63.8% of those who had had a dog before.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-34). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-34
- 37.0%
More space, bigger dogs
of people in a large home with outdoor space want a large dog
Limitation: Only people who fill in “Perfect pet” answer it, and several sizes can be ticked.
Details
In 2021, 37.0% of people living in a large home with a balcony, patio or terrace were looking for a large dog, compared with 15.9% of those living in a small one without them.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-35). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-35
- 11.7%
Where shelter animals come from
of shelter animals were found in the street
Limitation: Stated by the publisher, and the list mixes origin and reason.
Details
In 2021, 11.7% of the cases listed by shelters on Miwuki were recorded as “found in the street” and 62.4% as “taken in by the shelter”.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-36). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-36
- 69.1%
Adopted within their first six months
of shelter dogs were adopted within 180 days
Limitation: It only counts the adoptions that shelters record on Miwuki, and how much they record changes over the years: years are not compared.
Details
Of the dogs listed by shelters on Miwuki in 2021, 69.1% had an adoption recorded within 180 days of listing; of the cats, 60.3%.
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). (finding H-2021-37). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/#h-2021-37
What changes compared with 2020?
Cases listed in 2021: 0.6% more than in 2020
- 12,026listed cases
- 7,838recorded adoptions
Read the full analysis
We compare 2021 with 2020. When a change on the platform or an incomplete year prevents a comparison, we say so. Proportions are compared in percentage points.
- Listed cases: 0.6% more than in 2020.
- Cases from shelters and other organisations: 2.0% fewer than in 2020.
- Cases from private individuals: 7.1% more than in 2020.
- Recorded adoptions: 17.7% fewer than in 2020.
These differences describe what happened on the platform. On their own, they do not explain their causes.
Part 1 of 5
The animals
Which animals were listed on Miwuki in 2021: species, who listed them, age, size, breed, what their profile says, where they come from and where they were listed.
How many dogs and cats?
Cats: 2.6 percentage points higher than in 2020
- 6,790dogs listed
- 5,022cats listed
- 41.8%of cases were cats
Read the full analysis
In 2021, 6,790 dogs and 5,022 cats were listed. Cats made up 41.8% of cases, 2.6 percentage points higher than in 2020.
Who lists them?
- 8,286cases from shelters and other organisations
- 3,740cases from private individuals
- 31.1%of cases were listed by private individuals
Read the full analysis
In 2021, 68.9% of cases were listed by shelters and other organisations, and 31.1% by private individuals who cannot keep their animal.
These are two different situations: an organisation that takes in animals and a family looking for a new home for its own. That is why we show the two groups separately.
How old and how big are they?
Among dogs listed in 2021, 3.9% were seniors; among cats, 1.0%. Puppies made up 32.7% of dogs and kittens 57.1% of cats.
From the date of birth in the profile, 39.7% of dogs were under one year old when listed and 5.1% were nine or older. Among cats, 71.1% were under one year old.
By size, as stated by the publisher: 18.5% of dogs were small, 54.9% medium-sized and 25.0% large. We do not analyse size for cats because, as recorded, it barely varies.
Percentage of dogs and of cats listed that year. Age estimated by whoever listed the animal.
View the data as a table
| Category | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy or kitten | 32.7% | 57.1% |
| Young | 35.6% | 23.2% |
| Adult | 23.9% | 14.7% |
| Senior | 3.9% | 1.0% |
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-12 measures
From the date of birth in the profile.
View the data as a table
| Category | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1 year | 39.7% | 71.1% |
| 1 to 2 years | 26.0% | 17.1% |
| 3 to 5 years | 18.7% | 7.7% |
| 6 to 8 years | 10.3% | 2.4% |
| 9 years or older | 5.1% | 1.2% |
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-24 measures
Which breeds are listed?
8.8% of listed dogs carried the potentially dangerous dog (PPP) flag, which requires the adopter to hold a licence.
Breed was not mandatory in the profile until June 2023, so we do not analyse it for 2021.
Health, temperament and identification
- 88.4%of shelter dogs, microchipped
- 82.4%of shelter cats, microchipped
- 62.6%of shelter dogs, neutered
- 2.3%of dogs flagged with leishmania
- 54.5%of dogs get on well with children
Percentage of dogs and of cats listed with each flag. Flags are set by the publisher.
View the data as a table
| Category | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Shy | 13.4% | 13.5% |
| Independent | 10.1% | 9.8% |
| Escape artists | 4.4% | 1.4% |
| Playful | 65.0% | 58.7% |
| Affectionate | 74.1% | 70.6% |
| Good with children | 54.5% | 36.9% |
| Good with cats | 25.8% | — (No data) |
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-32 measures
Read the full analysis
According to the profile, when listed, 88.4% of shelter dogs and 82.4% of shelter cats had a microchip; among those from private individuals, 80.0% of dogs and 25.4% of cats. 62.6% of shelter dogs and 58.5% of shelter cats were sterilised.
2.3% of dogs were flagged with leishmaniasis. Among cats, 1.8% were flagged with feline immunodeficiency and 1.5% with feline leukaemia.
According to publishers, 54.5% of dogs get on with children, 25.8% get on with cats and 13.4% are shy. 1.6% of dogs and 4.1% of cats had to be adopted together with another animal.
These flags are set by the publisher.
Where do shelter animals come from?
- 62.4%recorded as “taken in by the shelter”
- 11.7%recorded as “found in the street”
- 9.1%recorded as an unwanted litter
Percentage of cases listed by shelters and other organisations, by the origin they state when listing.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-14 measures
Read the full analysis
When listing, shelters state where the animal comes from. In 2021, 62.4% of their cases were recorded as “taken in by the shelter”, 11.7% as “found in the street” and 9.1% as an unwanted litter. It is stated by the publisher and the list mixes origin and reason.
Where were cases listed?
Breakdown by province of the cases listed in 2021. It describes activity on Miwuki, not the incidence of abandonment. Provinces with few cases change a lot from one year to the next.
Activity on Miwuki, not the incidence of abandonment.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-16 measures
Part 2 of 5
Why do they need a new home?
What private individuals explain when they list their animal on Miwuki, and how much housing weighs in those reasons.
What reasons do private individuals give?
- 19.2%chose “lack of time or space”
- 14.8%chose a change of address
- 6.8%chose allergies
One option per case, from the platform list.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-38 measures
Read the full analysis
When listing, the private individual chooses a reason from a list. In 2021, 19.2% chose “lack of time or space”, 14.8% a change of address, 6.8% allergies, 12.6% a litter and 4.9% the birth of a child.
Housing and pets
What private individuals say about their home
3.0%chose “pets not allowed” from the list
- 14.8%chose a change of address from the list
Read the full analysis
From the platform list, 3.0% chose “pets not allowed at home” and 14.8% a change of address.
It is the reason stated by the publisher: it does not measure how many people give up adopting because of housing or how many animals are abandoned because of it.
Part 3 of 5
Who wants to adopt
The interest the animals attract and what people who want to adopt are looking for, when the platform records it.
How much interest do they attract?
In 2021 the platform did not yet record adoption requests with their date: they exist from June 2023.
What are people who want to adopt looking for?
- 42.0%live in a large home with a balcony, patio or terrace
- 40.8%already have another dog, a cat or another pet
- 23.6%have young children at home
- 21.9%are about to have their first dog
“Perfect pet” form. Several sizes can be ticked.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-33 measures
“Perfect pet” form: percentage of forms to adopt a dog.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-33 measures
Read the full analysis
Among those who filled in the “Perfect pet” form in 2021 to adopt a dog, 42.0% lived in a large home with a balcony, patio or terrace and 13.4% in a small one without any of them. 40.8% already had another dog, a cat or another pet at home, 23.6% had young children and 10.5% had moved house in the last two years. For 21.9% it would be their first dog, and 61.5% said the animal would be alone for less than four hours a day.
67.9% ticked that they were looking for a small dog, 61.7% a medium-sized one and 28.3% a large one (several sizes can be ticked). 37.0% of those living in a large home with a balcony, patio or terrace were looking for a large one, compared with 15.9% of those living in a small one without them.
Among dogs listed that year, 18.5% were small and 25.0% large: what people look for and what is available do not always match.
Only people who fill in the form answer it, so it does not represent everyone who adopts.
Part 4 of 5
Outcomes
How many adoptions and returns were recorded, how long animals take to find a family and which profiles find it hardest. We only count what is recorded on Miwuki.
How many adoptions and returns were recorded?
- 7,838recorded adoptions
- 7,674different cases adopted
- 62.3%of 2021 cases, adopted at the cut-off date
Read the full analysis
In 2021, 7,838 adoptions of animals listed in Spain were recorded, corresponding to 7,674 distinct cases. These are the adoptions that publishers record on Miwuki; some adoptions may not be recorded.
Of the cases listed in 2021, 62.3% were marked as adopted on the cut-off date. These cases have had several years to find a family, so the percentage is not compared with other years.
Returns have been recorded regularly since June 2023, so we do not analyse them for 2021.
How long does it take to find a home?
- 47days to adoption: hard-to-place dogs
- 13days to adoption: puppies
- 43median days until an adult dog is adopted
Read the full analysis
An adoption platform sees a part of the journey that other studies do not: how long each animal takes to find a family.
- The wait. Among shelter dogs listed in 2021 and adopted within 180 days, half of the puppies found a family in under 13 days and half of the adults in under 43; half of the hard-to-place dogs, in under 47.
They describe what happens on the platform, not its causes.
Which profiles find it hardest?
Who finds a home sooner?
88.2%of puppies adopted within 180 days
- 54.8%of adult dogs
- 48.9%of senior dogs
- 42.0%of hard-to-place dogs
Cases listed by shelters in 2021 with an adoption recorded within the following 180 days.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-21 measures
Associations, not causes. Percentages based on fewer than thirty cases carry a “small base” warning.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-21 measures
Read the full analysis
Among dogs listed by shelters in 2021, 88.2% of puppies had a recorded adoption 180 days after listing, compared with 54.8% of adults and 48.9% of seniors. Among cats, 69.2% of kittens compared with 42.8% of adults.
By age in years, 50.1% of dogs aged three to five and 54.8% of those aged nine or older were adopted within 180 days. Among those adopted within that period, half of the dogs were adopted in under 21 days (puppies: 13; adults: 43).
With the “hard to place” flag, 42.0% of dogs were adopted within 180 days, compared with 72.8% of the rest. With the PPP flag, 43.4%, compared with 71.5%. With leishmaniasis, 35.0%, compared with 70.1%.
Among dogs that had to be adopted together with another animal, 34.8% Small base; among those described as independent, 44.6%; and among those that get on with cats, 76.7%. Among cats, independent ones: 36.4%, compared with 61.6% of the rest.
These are associations, not causes: the profile alone does not explain the difference, and we only count the adoptions that shelters record on Miwuki. We compare profiles within 2021, not 2021 with other years, because how much shelters record changes over time.
Month by month
To compare months of different lengths, we show the daily average of each month.
- Summer (July and August): listed cases, 29.7% more per day than the rest of the year; recorded adoptions, 9.6% fewer per day than the rest of the year.
- Christmas (from 15 December 2021 to the following 6 January): listed cases, 13.5% fewer per day than in the previous three weeks; recorded adoptions, 17.3% fewer per day than in the previous three weeks.
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 38.2 | 35.7 | 22.4 | 27.7 | 36.3 | 36.7 | 33.9 | 30.7 | 39.2 | 33.1 | 32.5 | 25.7 |
| 2021 | 23.5 | 24.3 | 25.3 | 30.8 | 32.0 | 41.9 | 43.0 | 38.3 | 39.4 | 35.1 | 35.6 | 25.9 |
Daily average of each month.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-01 measures
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 23.5 | 22.2 | 18.4 | 21.4 | 28.9 | 28.8 | 29.2 | 25.4 | 31.1 | 28.3 | 30.9 | 24.1 |
| 2021 | 25.8 | 27.0 | 25.2 | 19.6 | 19.5 | 17.3 | 20.5 | 19.0 | 23.2 | 21.0 | 21.4 | 18.7 |
Daily average of each month, by adoption date.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · cut-off 22 October 2026 What IND-05 measures
Recommendations
- For families: give adults, seniors and animals flagged as hard to place a chance. Their temperament is already known and they are looking for a home too.
- For publishers: complete the profile and record adoptions and returns on Miwuki, including the reason. A complete profile is good practice; this report does not measure its effect.
- For Miwuki: document every change in the way data are recorded and keep this report's definitions so that years can be compared.
Part 5 of 5
About these data
The report's technical summary, the data that existed in 2021, what they do not allow us to conclude, the methodological annex and how to cite them.
Technical summary
- Edition
- Annual report produced in 2026
- Year analysed
- 2021
- Period analysed
- 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2021
- Data cut-off
- 22/10/2026
- Publication
- 24 October 2026
- Edition type
- reconstruction
- Scope
- Animal cases listed on Miwuki with country Spain. Not a national statistic.
- Reference dates
- adopciones: adoption date · casos: creation date · devoluciones: return date · solicitudes: date sent
- Data version
- 2026.10.22-r1
- Status
- Approved
Outside this edition or pending: adoption channel (outside the scope of the study) · origin of shelter animals (verification pending) · adoptions by private individuals in the barrier indicators (incomplete recording) · requests (recorded with their date since June 2023) · breed (mandatory since June 2023) · reason written by private individuals (since June 2023) · returns (recorded regularly since June 2023).
Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain · 2021 data · produced in 2026 with data as of 22 October 2026 · publication date: 24 October 2026.
It reconstructs what happened on Miwuki in Spain in 2021 with the report's current definitions and the data available at the cut-off date. It only includes what the platform recorded that year: when a data item did not exist yet, we say so.
What data exist for 2021 and what changed
The way data are recorded did not change in 2021, so it can be compared with 2020.
What can we not conclude yet?
These data describe what happens on Miwuki, but they do not answer everything.
- How many animals are abandoned in Spain. Listing a case on Miwuki is not the same as an abandonment, and many organisations and families do not use the platform.
- Why the figures change. Fewer cases or fewer requests may be due to many factors, such as how many organisations use Miwuki or changes to the platform itself. We describe what happens, not its causes.
- What share of requests ends in an adoption. Requests and adoptions are counted separately and do not form a funnel.
- Why some profiles are adopted sooner than others. We show differences by age, size or the hard-to-place flag, but not their causes: photos, description, the organisation or the area also play a part.
- Whether COVID-19 increased adoptions. This is a hypothesis we are studying with controls; for now it is not a conclusion.
- Who adopts. Most recorded adoptions do not include data about the adopter.
- Whether private owners' animals find a home sooner or later than shelter animals. Most private owners do not record their animal's adoption on Miwuki, so their figure is a minimum.
- Where there is more abandonment. The breakdown by province reflects where Miwuki is used, not the incidence of abandonment, and the origin stated by shelters describes their cases, not the whole of Spain.
- The size of dogs compared with years before June 2023, because the way it is recorded changed.
Methodological annex
Definitions, coverage, recording changes and data protection: see the methodology page.
Downloads and citation
This year's PDF report and infographics are on the downloads page, with their citation format. The published figures, reports and infographics are licensed under CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution): you may reuse them for any purpose, including commercial use, crediting the source, the data version and the cut-off date. The Miwuki logo and the illustrations are not covered by the licence.
2021 report downloads
- PNGInfographic for sharing307 KB
- PDFVertical infographic591 KB
- PDFPrintable A4 infographic597 KB
- PDFLinkedIn document2.0 MB
Social media carousel (6 slides, PNG 1080 × 1350)
Read the infographic as text
2021 data · report produced in 2026
- 12,026 animal cases listed in Spain. 0.6% more than in 2020.
- 41.8% of the cases were cats. 2.6 percentage points higher than in 2020.
- 31.1% of the cases were listed by private individuals. They have been able to list on Miwuki since December 2018.
- 7,838 adoptions recorded on the platform. 17.7% fewer than in 2020.
- 42.0% of hard-to-place dogs listed by shelters were adopted within 180 days. Compared with 72.8% of the rest (association, not causation).
Giving older and hard-to-place animals a chance makes a difference too.
Cases listed on Miwuki in Spain in 2021. Not a national statistic and not a measure of abandonment.
Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain (cases listed on Miwuki; cut-off 22 October 2026).
Data version 2026.10.22-r1 · Data cut-off 22 October 2026
https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/
How to cite
Miwuki. Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain. 2021 data (data version 2026.10.22-r1; data cut-off 22 October 2026). https://miwuki.com/en/adoption-report/2021/
Short credit: Source: Miwuki Report on Pet Adoption in Spain (cases listed on Miwuki; cut-off 22 October 2026).
The published figures, reports and infographics are licensed under CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution): you may reuse them for any purpose, including commercial use, crediting the source, the data version and the cut-off date. The Miwuki logo and the illustrations are not covered by the licence.