* No central registry: There's no national database or organization tracking service animal registration.
* Varying definitions: The definition of a "service animal" can be broad, with varying interpretations and regulations across states.
* Private ownership: Service animals are primarily owned by individuals and not by institutions, making a count difficult.
While exact numbers are unavailable, estimates suggest that the number of service animals in the US is significantly less than the general population.
Some sources point to a possible range of:
* Hundreds of thousands: Based on estimates of people with disabilities who could potentially use service animals.
* Millions: Taking into account potential growth in service animal use due to increased awareness and acceptance.
However, these numbers are still speculative and not based on concrete data.