One New Jersey county reportedly euthanized nearly triple the amount of animals than it adopted.
Nearly 17,000 dogs and cats were euthanized at animal shelters in 2015, while more than 48,000 were redeemed by owners or adopted, according to a state Department of Health survey of shelters.
In most counties, adoptions outnumbered euthanized animals, but there were three counties that had higher percentages of euthanized dogs, cats and other animals.
The report included 80,922 animals impounded statewide and 21 percent of the dogs and cats were impounded were euthanized.
Gloucester County euthanized nearly three times the amount of animals than the 698 that were adopted.
The largest factor was the 1,784 cats that were euthanized in the county, in addition to the 614 dogs and 10 "other" animals. This was the highest number of cats euthanized in the state, as the county reported 420 cat, 232 dog and 45 "other" adoptions.
In Cumberland County, more than 1,655 animals - including 1,451 cats and 194 dogs - were euthanized, compared to 1,351 adoptions.
Essex County was the only northern New Jersey county to report more animals were euthanized than adopted. There 2,148 animals - including 1,524 cats and 614 dogs - were euthanized compared to the 1,984 animals that were adopted.
The Department of Health said results were from a voluntary survey of impoundment facilities and may not include responses from all such facilities in New Jersey. Facilities that were operating during survey year but did not report to the Department of Health were listed as having zero animals impounded.
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.