Be aware: This text’s statistics come from third-party sources and don’t signify the opinions of this web site.
Cats are one of the crucial well-liked species of pets on the planet, second solely to canine. They’re thought of good pets as a result of they’re impartial they usually don’t want strolling, like canine, however they are often extremely affectionate and loving. They don’t want cleansing out like small animals in enclosures, though indoor cats will want their litter trays emptied, they usually do want common feeding and each bodily train and psychological stimulation.
Whereas they make well-liked pets, nevertheless, there’s a huge overpopulation drawback, partially attributable to the truth that they breed profusely. A single unspayed feminine cat, and her offspring, can theoretically produce as many as 350,000 kittens in simply 7 years. Whereas 80% to 90% of the U.S.’s pet cat inhabitants is spayed or neutered, this isn’t true of the stray and homeless cat inhabitants, which has led to an estimated 30 to 40 million homeless cats residing within the U.S.
Though it is extremely troublesome to find out the precise inhabitants of homeless, feral, and stray cats, we’ve discovered statistics associated to this and different components regarding the cat overpopulation disaster that’s at the moment being confronted.
The 14 Cat Overpopulation Statistics
- There are roughly 75 million pet cats within the U.S.
- Roughly 40% of pet cats are adopted.
- 80% to 90% of pet cats are spayed or neutered.
- 6–8 million canine and cats are surrendered yearly within the U.S.
- 2.6 million cats are adopted from U.S. shelters every year.
- There are greater than 14,000 rescues and shelters within the U.S.
- There are practically one million extra pets in shelters now than in 2021.
- Extra cats enter shelters than canine.
- 330,000 cats have been euthanized in 2023.
- 15% extra animals in shelters have been euthanized in 2023 in comparison with 2022.
- 80% of animals euthanized in shelters are in any other case wholesome.
- There are round 30 to 40 million stray and unhomed cats within the U.S.
- Solely 10% of the homeless animal inhabitants makes it into shelters and rescues.
- A single unspayed feminine cat, and her offspring, can produce greater than 350,000 kittens in 7 years.
Cat Possession
1. There are roughly 75 million pet cats within the U.S.
(World Inhabitants Assessment)
Cats are the second hottest species of pets within the U.S. with a inhabitants of round 75 million. This consists of moggies, which mix two or extra breeds, in addition to purebred breeds. The determine consists of kittens and grownup cats, in addition to these which can be purchased from breeders and cats which have been adopted from shelters and rescues.
2. Roughly 40% of pet cats are adopted.
(Humane Professional 1)
Of the pet cat inhabitants, 43% of pet cats have been adopted from rescues and shelters whereas an additional 24% have been taken in as strays or have been caught exterior. 21% got here from pals or kinfolk, with one other 8% having been purchased from pet shops and 4% purchased immediately from breeders. 7% have been additionally mentioned to be bred at dwelling and three% of the cat inhabitants got as presents to the pet proprietor.
In 2018, simply 31% of cats have been adopted, which suggests extra individuals are adopting than earlier than, however the quantity nonetheless must be greater to have the ability to management the cat inhabitants and handle the massive variety of cats that find yourself in shelters.
3. 80% to 90% of pet cats are spayed or neutered.
(Humane Professional 2)
In relation to pet cats, homeowners usually have their cats neutered or spayed. Doing so can extend the life expectancy of cats as a result of it prevents female and male cats from growing sure cancers. It might additionally make the cats much less prone to run away or stray from the home.
Between 80% and 90% of pet cats have been spayed or neutered, however this does imply there are nonetheless between 7.5 and 15 million intact pet cats. And the ratio of stray, feral, and homeless cats which can be unaltered is prone to be a lot greater than this determine.
4. 6–8 million canine and cats are surrendered yearly within the U.S.
(Satisfaction And Groom)
House owners give up their pets for varied causes. Since 2021, extra individuals are surrendering pets as a result of they don’t have the time to spend with them anymore, whereas the cost-of-living disaster signifies that loads of homeowners don’t have the cash to have the ability to present correct care.
Different causes embrace modifications in private circumstances or dwelling life, comparable to new pets not getting together with present pets or the introduction of a brand new child to the house. In complete, between 6 and eight million pet cats and canine are surrendered yearly.
5. 2.6 million cats are adopted from U.S. shelters every year.
(Shelter Animals Rely)
Shelters are filled with cats searching for houses, despite the fact that an estimated 2.6 million cats are adopted from rescues and shelters. Shelters are facilities that get authorities funding. A number of the employees are paid.
Rescues don’t obtain any funding and are usually staffed totally by volunteers. They depend upon adoption charges and donations from the general public to outlive.
Cats In Shelters
6. There are greater than 14,000 rescues and shelters within the U.S.
(Shelter Animals Rely)
Rescues and shelters carry out invaluable companies. They soak up stray, feral, and homeless cats. They take care of the cats whereas they’re of their care, and they’ll search for new loving houses with adopters. Some shelters additionally ship cats out to foster carers, who may also help rehabilitate cats so they’ll settle into a brand new dwelling higher when they’re given the chance.
Though there’s not an official record or register of all these companies, there are estimated to be greater than 13,000 throughout the U.S. This quantity is made up of 5,000 shelters, which obtain authorities funding, and greater than 9,000 rescues, which aren’t authorities funded.
7. There are practically one million extra pets in shelters now than in 2021.
(USA In the present day)
Throughout COVID-19 and the lockdowns that have been applied in an effort to attempt to cease the unfold of the pandemic, many present and new homeowners took on pet cats. Nevertheless, since lockdowns ended, homeowners have much less time to spend taking care of their cats as folks have returned to work. This has led to an enormous surge within the variety of cats which have been surrendered to services.
Practically one million extra pets are in shelters and rescues right now than in 2021, which represents a big enhance within the homeless cat inhabitants.
8. Extra cats enter shelters than canine.
(Shelter Animals Rely)
Though the numbers are roughly related, barely extra cats are surrendered than canine, despite the fact that cats are mentioned to be extra impartial.
Of the 6.5 million cats and canine estimated to enter shelters, 3.3 million have been cats and three.2 million have been canine. That is greater than in 2022 and 2021 however represents a slight drop when in comparison with 2019, which was the final full yr earlier than Covid lockdowns occurred.
9. 330,000 cats have been euthanized in 2023.
(Shelter Animals Rely)
Sadly, with extra cats getting into shelters than being adopted from shelters, it signifies that among the cats in shelters find yourself being euthanized. The choice is that shelters refuse to take extra cats in, which results in a rise within the inhabitants of homeless and feral cats.
It’s a troublesome choice for shelters and rescues to make and whereas some do have a no-kill coverage, which suggests they gained’t euthanize wholesome animals, a complete of 330,000 cats have been euthanized as a result of there wasn’t room for them in shelters, in 2023.
10. 15% extra animals in shelters have been euthanized in 2023 in comparison with 2022.
(NBC Boston)
There are such a lot of extra pets being relinquished by homeowners right now, in contrast to a couple years in the past, that there was a 15% enhance within the variety of cats and canine euthanized in animal shelters final yr, in comparison with 2022.
Though the ratio of cats being adopted continues to extend, the scale of the cat inhabitants and the variety of cats being handed over to rescues is rising extra shortly, which signifies that the variety of euthanizations will proceed to extend at a faster price.
11. 80% of animals euthanized in shelters are in any other case wholesome.
(Kitten Coalition)
Some shelters and rescues have adopted a no-kill coverage. This implies they gained’t euthanize any animal that’s wholesome and doesn’t undergo from extreme behavioral issues. Nevertheless, this coverage signifies that the shelters replenish shortly they usually can’t soak up new animals.
Any deserted or homeless animals are left to have a tendency themselves, which suggests it’s a robust name to make for the organizers. Regardless of this coverage being adopted by some shelters, greater than three-quarters of the animals which can be euthanized at shelters are in any other case wholesome.
Homeless Cats
12. There are round 30 to 40 million stray and unhomed cats within the U.S.
(Humane Professional 1)
In addition to cats in houses and people in rescues and shelters, there’s a giant inhabitants of cats that stay in cities and cities with no houses. There are additionally feral cats that stay in additional city areas.
It is extremely troublesome to find out the precise inhabitants of those cats, however it’s estimated between 30 and 40 million cats reside with out houses. This implies there are round half as many cats with out houses as there are with houses. And there are 10 occasions as many cats residing on the streets as getting into shelters every but.
13. Solely 10% of the homeless animal inhabitants makes it into shelters and rescues.
(PETA)
Though life in a shelter shouldn’t be splendid for a cat, it’s higher than residing on the streets or in fields. Life on the streets is very troublesome, with cats being concerned in site visitors accidents, attacked by folks, and being extra prone to undergo unwell well being.
These cats are additionally unlikely to be spayed or neutered which suggests they’re very prone to additional enhance the inhabitants of homeless cats. Solely round 10% of the homeless animal inhabitants, which incorporates each cats and canine, makes it into shelters to have an opportunity of discovering a loving dwelling.
14. A Single unspayed feminine cat, and her offspring, can produce greater than 350,000 kittens in 7 years.
(PETA)
One of many causes that there’s such an enormous cat overpopulation drawback is that cats are prolific breeders. Females can attain sexual maturity at simply 4 months previous and might proceed breeding till they’re eight years previous. A typical litter incorporates between one and 9 kittens, and a feminine can have as much as 4 litters in a single yr.
Because of this a single feminine cat can have as many as 36 kittens a yr, or greater than 250 in her life. If these kittens go on to have kittens of their very own, it’s straightforward to see how overpopulation happens. A single feminine cat and the offspring she produces might, in idea, have 350,000 kittens in simply 7 years.
Incessantly Requested Questions (FAQ)
Is The Cat Inhabitants Rising?
It’s unimaginable to provide precise numbers, however the inhabitants of cats is rising. That is very true of stray and homeless cats, and there has additionally been a big enhance within the variety of cats in rescues and shelters. Nevertheless, the variety of cats being stored as pets is important.
Why Is the Cat Inhabitants So Excessive?
A number of components have led to the rise in cat inhabitants. First, they’re prolific breeders, and a single feminine cat can have a whole bunch of kittens in its lifetime. Whereas the overwhelming majority of pet cats are neutered or spayed, it solely takes a small portion of the inhabitants to get pregnant and this results in an enormous enhance in cat numbers.
What’s extra, stray and feral cats are much less prone to have been altered, which suggests extra cats being born on the streets. Lastly, as a result of shelters and rescues are packed, it signifies that extra cats are being left homeless, additional exacerbating the issue.
What Ought to You Do If You Discover a Stray Cat?
Keep in mind that some cats are outside cats. Simply since you see one open air, doesn’t essentially imply it’s homeless. In the event you see the identical cat and it’s trying thinner, you possibly can attempt leaving a word on its collar. Whether it is owned, the proprietor will hopefully report again to you.
In the event you do discover a stray cat, and it allows you to method it, search for a collar or ID tag. Alternatively, contact a warden or have the cat scanned at an area vet to examine for a microchip. Cats do wander, which suggests the stray cat you may have seen could also be misplaced.
Ought to All Cats Be Neutered or Spayed?
To assist stop additional overpopulation, all cats must be spayed or neutered. What’s extra, this doesn’t simply assist management the inhabitants drawback. Intact cats usually tend to develop sure cancers and different ailments, which suggests having your cat spayed may also help extend its life and maintain it more healthy.
Altered cats are additionally much less prone to wander, so there’s much less probability that your cat will go lacking.
Does Neutering Hurt Cats?
Neutering is the removing of the testes from male cats, whereas spaying is the removing of the ovaries and uterus from females. Each procedures may also help stop sure well being points and can stop undesirable pregnancies and births. It might additionally calm a feisty cat, stop it from roaming, and should even cease them from spraying in the home to mark territory.
Conclusion
Cats are well-liked pets. They are often very affectionate, don’t must be taken on lengthy walks daily, are enjoyable, and provide companionship. Nevertheless, they do want common care they usually do value cash all through their lives.
Some homeowners that take cats on discover they can’t afford to maintain them or don’t have sufficient time to spend with them, and these eventualities can result in cats being surrendered or deserted. This results in overpopulation, particularly when the stray cats haven’t been neutered or spayed, and is without doubt one of the most important the reason why there’s a inhabitants of 30 to 40 million stray cats within the U.S. alone.
Featured Picture Credit score: Lea Rae, Shutterstock