The bar graph illustrates variations in the number of animals adopted from an animal rescue centre in Madison, Wisconsin, over a ten-year period from 1990 to 2000. The data, presented at two-year intervals, are categorised into three groups: dogs, cats, as well as birds and reptiles. Overall, cat adoptions increased steadily throughout the period and became the most prevalent by 2000, whereas dog adoptions declined gradually. By contrast, the number of birds and reptiles adopted remained comparatively low and showed only minor fluctuations.
In 1990, dogs were the most commonly adopted animals, at approximately 570 adoptions, followed by cats at around 330. Bird and reptile adoptions were significantly lower, standing at just over 120. Over the next four years, dog adoptions fell markedly to about 430 in 1994, whereas cat adoptions increased sharply to just above 530, overtaking dogs for the first time.
From 1996 onwards, the upward trend in cat adoptions continued, reaching approximately 650 by 2000. By contrast, dog adoptions declined more gradually after 1994, stabilising at around 400 in the final two years. Meanwhile, adoptions of birds and reptiles fluctuated modestly between roughly 90 and 120 throughout the period, with no clear upward or downward trend.