The post 14 Cat Overpopulation Statistics (2024 Update) by Matt Jackson appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead Cat Ownership Cats In Shelters Homeless Cats Frequently Asked Questions Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website. Cats are one of the most popular species of pets in the world, second only to dogs. They are considered good pets because they are independent and they don’t need walking, like dogs, but they can be highly affectionate and loving. They don’t need cleaning out like small animals in enclosures, although indoor cats will need their litter trays emptied, and they do need regular feeding and both physical exercise and mental stimulation. While they make popular pets, however, there is a massive overpopulation problem, partially caused by the fact that they breed profusely. A single unspayed female cat, and her offspring, can theoretically produce as many as 350,000 kittens in just 7 years. While 80% to 90% of the U.S.’s pet cat population is spayed or neutered, this isn’t true of the stray and homeless cat population, which has led to an estimated 30 to 40 million homeless cats living in the U.S. Although it is very difficult to determine the exact population of homeless, feral, and stray cats, we have found statistics related to this and other factors concerning the cat overpopulation crisis that is currently being faced. The 14 Cat Overpopulation Statistics There are approximately 75 million pet cats in the U.S. Approximately 40% of pet cats are adopted. 80% to 90% of pet cats are spayed or neutered. 6–8 million dogs and cats are surrendered every year in the U.S. 2.6 million cats are adopted from U.S. shelters each year. There are more than 14,000 rescues and shelters in the U.S. There are nearly a million more pets in shelters now than in 2021. More cats enter shelters than dogs. 330,000 cats were euthanized in 2023. 15% more animals in shelters were euthanized in 2023 compared to 2022. 80% of animals euthanized in shelters are otherwise healthy. There are around 30 to 40 million stray and unhomed cats in the U.S. Only 10% of the homeless animal population makes it into shelters and rescues. A single unspayed female cat, and her offspring, can produce more than 350,000 kittens in 7 years. Cat Ownership 1. There are approximately 75 million pet cats in the U.S. (World Population Review) Cats are the second most popular species of pets in the U.S. with a population of around 75 million. This includes moggies, which combine two or more breeds, as well as purebred breeds. The figure includes kittens and adult cats, as well as those that are bought from breeders and cats that have been adopted from shelters and rescues. Image Credit: Tatyana Vyc, Shutterstock 2. Approximately 40% of pet cats are adopted. (Humane Pro 1) Of the pet cat population, 43% of pet cats were adopted from rescues and shelters while a further 24% were taken in as strays or were caught outside. 21% came from friends or relatives, with another 8% having been bought from pet stores and 4% bought directly from breeders. 7% were also said to be bred at home and 3% of the cat population were given as gifts to the pet owner. In 2018, just 31% of cats were adopted, which means more people are adopting than before, but the number still needs to be higher to be able to control the cat population and manage the large number of cats that end up in shelters. 3. 80% to 90% of pet cats are spayed or neutered. (Humane Pro 2) When it comes to pet cats, owners generally have their cats neutered or spayed. Doing so can prolong the life expectancy of cats because it prevents male and female cats from developing certain cancers. It can also make the cats less likely to run away or stray from the house. Between 80% and 90% of pet cats have been spayed or neutered, but this does mean there are still between 7.5 and 15 million intact pet cats. And the ratio of stray, feral, and homeless cats that are unaltered is likely to be much higher than this figure. Image Credit: Red Bow Tie Photo, Shutterstock 4. 6–8 million dogs and cats are surrendered every year in the U.S. (Pride And Groom) Owners surrender their pets for various reasons. Since 2021, more people are surrendering pets because they don’t have the time to spend with them anymore, while the cost-of-living crisis means that a lot of owners don’t have the money to be able to provide proper care. Other reasons include changes in personal circumstances or home life, such as new pets not getting along with existing pets or the introduction of a new baby to the home. In total, between 6 and 8 million pet cats and dogs are surrendered every year. 5. 2.6 million cats are adopted from U.S. shelters each year. (Shelter Animals Count) Shelters are packed with cats looking for homes, even though an estimated 2.6 million cats are adopted from rescues and shelters. Shelters are centers that get government funding. Some of the staff are paid. Rescues do not receive any funding and are typically staffed entirely by volunteers. They depend on adoption fees and donations from the public to survive. Image Credit: GoodFocused, Shutterstock Cats In Shelters 6. There are more than 14,000 rescues and shelters in the U.S. (Shelter Animals Count) Rescues and shelters perform invaluable services. They take in stray, feral, and homeless cats. They care for the cats while they are in their care, and they will look for new loving homes with adopters. Some shelters also send cats out to foster carers, who can help rehabilitate cats so they will settle into a new home better when they are given the opportunity. Although there is not an official list or register of these types of services, there are estimated to be more than 13,000 across the U.S. This number is made up of 5,000 shelters, which receive government funding, and more than 9,000 rescues, which are not government funded. 7. There are nearly a million more pets in shelters now than in 2021. (USA Today) During COVID-19 and the lockdowns that were implemented in order to try and stop the spread of the pandemic, many existing and new owners took on pet cats. However, since lockdowns ended, owners have less time to spend looking after their cats as people have returned to work. This has led to a massive surge in the number of cats that have been surrendered to facilities. Nearly a million more pets are in shelters and rescues today than in 2021, which represents a significant increase in the homeless cat population. Image Credit: Anna Krivitskaya, Shutterstock 8. More cats enter shelters than dogs. (Shelter Animals Count) Although the numbers are roughly similar, slightly more cats are surrendered than dogs, even though cats are said to be more independent. Of the 6.5 million cats and dogs estimated to enter shelters, 3.3 million were cats and 3.2 million were dogs. This is higher than in 2022 and 2021 but represents a slight drop when compared to 2019, which was the last full year before Covid lockdowns occurred. 9. 330,000 cats were euthanized in 2023. (Shelter Animals Count) Unfortunately, with more cats entering shelters than being adopted from shelters, it means that some of the cats in shelters end up being euthanized. The alternative is that shelters refuse to take more cats in, which leads to an increase in the population of homeless and feral cats. It’s a difficult decision for shelters and rescues to make and while some do have a no-kill policy, which means they won’t euthanize healthy animals, a total of 330,000 cats were euthanized because there wasn’t room for them in shelters, in 2023. Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock 10. 15% more animals in shelters were euthanized in 2023 compared to 2022. (NBC Boston) There are so many more pets being relinquished by owners today, compared to a few years ago, that there was a 15% increase in the number of cats and dogs euthanized in animal shelters last year, compared to 2022. Although the ratio of cats being adopted continues to increase, the size of the cat population and the number of cats being handed over to rescues is increasing more quickly, which means that the number of euthanizations will continue to increase at a quicker rate. 11. 80% of animals euthanized in shelters are otherwise healthy. (Kitten Coalition) Some shelters and rescues have adopted a no-kill policy. This means they won’t euthanize any animal that is healthy and doesn’t suffer from severe behavioral problems. However, this policy means that the shelters fill up quickly and they cannot take in new animals. Any abandoned or homeless animals are left to tend themselves, which means it is a tough call to make for the organizers. Despite this policy being adopted by some shelters, more than three-quarters of the animals that are euthanized at shelters are otherwise healthy. Image Credit: encierro, Shutterstock Homeless Cats 12. There are around 30 to 40 million stray and unhomed cats in the U.S. (Humane Pro 1) As well as cats in homes and those in rescues and shelters, there is a large population of cats that live in towns and cities with no homes. There are also feral cats that live in more urban areas. It is very difficult to determine the exact population of these cats, but it is estimated between 30 and 40 million cats are living without homes. This means there are around half as many cats without homes as there are with homes. And there are 10 times as many cats living on the streets as entering shelters each yet. 13. Only 10% of the homeless animal population makes it into shelters and rescues. (PETA) Although life in a shelter is not ideal for a cat, it is better than living on the streets or in fields. Life on the streets is especially difficult, with cats being involved in traffic accidents, attacked by people, and being more likely to suffer ill health. These cats are also unlikely to be spayed or neutered which means they are very likely to further increase the population of homeless cats. Only around 10% of the homeless animal population, which includes both cats and dogs, makes it into shelters to have a chance of finding a loving home. Image Credit: JW Design, Shutterstock 14. A Single unspayed female cat, and her offspring, can produce more than 350,000 kittens in 7 years. (PETA) One of the reasons that there is such a big cat overpopulation problem is that cats are prolific breeders. Females can reach sexual maturity at just four months old and can continue breeding until they are eight years old. A typical litter contains between one and nine kittens, and a female can have up to four litters in one year. This means that a single female cat can have as many as 36 kittens a year, or more than 250 in her life. If those kittens go on to have kittens of their own, it is easy to see how overpopulation occurs. A single female cat and the offspring she produces could, in theory, have 350,000 kittens in just 7 years. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Is The Cat Population Increasing? It’s impossible to give exact numbers, but the population of cats is increasing. This is especially true of stray and homeless cats, and there has also been a significant increase in the number of cats in rescues and shelters. However, the number of cats being kept as pets is significant. Image Credit: Lea Rae, Shutterstock Why Is the Cat Population So High? Several factors have led to the increase in cat population. First, they are prolific breeders, and a single female cat can have hundreds of kittens in its lifetime. While the vast majority of pet cats are neutered or spayed, it only takes a small portion of the population to get pregnant and this leads to a big increase in cat numbers. What’s more, stray and feral cats are less likely to have been altered, which means more cats being born on the streets. Finally, because shelters and rescues are packed, it means that more cats are being left homeless, further exacerbating the problem. What Should You Do If You Find a Stray Cat? Remember that some cats are outdoor cats. Just because you see one outdoors, doesn’t necessarily mean it is homeless. If you see the same cat and it is looking thinner, you can try leaving a note on its collar. If it is owned, the owner will hopefully report back to you. If you do find a stray cat, and it lets you approach it, look for a collar or ID tag. Alternatively, contact a warden or have the cat scanned at a local vet to check for a microchip. Cats do wander, which means the stray cat you have seen may be lost. Should All Cats Be Neutered or Spayed? To help prevent further overpopulation, all cats should be spayed or neutered. What’s more, this doesn’t just help control the population problem. Intact cats are more likely to develop certain cancers and other diseases, which means having your cat spayed can help prolong its life and keep it healthier. Altered cats are also less likely to wander, so there is less chance that your cat will go missing. Image Credit: Koiee, Shutterstock Does Neutering Harm Cats? Neutering is the removal of the testes from male cats, while spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus from females. Both procedures can help prevent certain health issues and will prevent unwanted pregnancies and births. It can also calm a feisty cat, prevent it from roaming, and may even stop them from spraying in the house to mark territory. Conclusion Cats are popular pets. They can be very affectionate, don’t need to be taken on long walks every day, are fun, and offer companionship. However, they do need regular care and they do cost money throughout their lives. Some owners that take cats on find they cannot afford to keep them or don’t have enough time to spend with them, and these eventualities can lead to cats being surrendered or abandoned. This leads to overpopulation, especially when the stray cats have not been neutered or spayed, and is one of the main reasons why there is a population of 30 to 40 million stray cats in the U.S. alone. Sources World Population Review Humane Pro 1 Humane Pro 2 Pride And Groom Shelter Animals Count USA Today NBC Boston Kitten Coalition PETA   Featured Image Credit: Lea Rae, Shutterstock The post 14 Cat Overpopulation Statistics (2024 Update) by Matt Jackson appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The number of illegal immigrant “gotaways” has skyrocketed to nearly 2 million under the Biden administration, a congressional source confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation. Roughly 1.9 million gotaways, illegal aliens who escape into the interior of the U.S., have been recorded since President Joe Biden first entered office in January 2021, a congressional source confirmed. In addition to the rise in gotaways, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “non-detained” docket has exploded to 7.4 million cases and is on track to hit 8 million by the end of the year. The internal federal data first was reported by Fox News. “These numbers are further proof of President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’ radical commitment to open borders, and the secretary’s high crimes and misdemeanors committed to make them a reality,” House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green said in a written statement Monday, referring to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. “The laws passed by substantial bipartisan majorities in Congress make very clear that illegal aliens must be detained, but Biden and Mayorkas have instead directed and overseen the mass release of illegal aliens into our communities,” Green said. Unlike other foreign nationals who seek out immigration officials and request asylum once they illegally cross the U.S. border, gotaways are observed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials escaping into the interior of the country before being apprehended. The Department of Homeland Security says it isn’t unable to track their whereabouts in the U.S. The number of known gotaways has steadily climbed over the past several years. There were more than 1.6 million known gotaways recorded between fiscal years 2021 through 2023, according to previously reported CBP data. That number eclipses all known gotaways recorded in both the Trump and Obama administrations from fiscal 2010 through fiscal 2020. Due to the huge influx of asylum-seekers appearing at the U.S.-Mexico border, an increasing number are released from physical detention and allowed to roam freely in the interior of the U.S., being enrolled in ICE’s Alternative to Detention program. This non-detained docket, which includes 7.4 million cases, has more than doubled since Biden entered office, the Daily Caller News Foundation confirmed. Green noted in his statement that the Biden administration “consistently” has requested fewer ICE beds to detain more illegal aliens and isn’t using all the beds currently available. “Would-be border crossers around the world are making the bet that if they cross under this administration, they will be released into the interior,” Green said. “These numbers show that’s usually a winning wager to make.” ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation The post Illegal Alien ‘Gotaways’ Near 2 Million Under Biden Admin appeared first on The Daily Signal.

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An elderly woman in Texas was seconds away from being scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars when an alert bystander called police and helped save the woman. Myndi Jordan said she knew something was wrong when she saw the woman frantically shoving hundred dollar bills into a cryptocurrency machine at the gas station in White Settlement on Thursday. 'What you're doing is committing a crime! That makes it my problem!' “She’s all bent down trying to put hundred dollar bills in,” said Jordan. "And I could hear the people on the phone and I’m like, 'Ma’am, do you know these people?' and she’s like no.” Jordan said she suspected the woman in her eighties was the victim of a scam, but she couldn't persuade her to stop shoving money into the machine. She said that woman had already put in $23k of her money into the machine. “The lady was just really, really scared she had $44,000 cash money in her hands,” Jordan added. “I said, Ma'am, I believe you're being scammed. And she said, 'No, no, no. It's the bank, I got to pay this back.'” When that didn't work, Jordan alerted the police and Sgt. James Stewart arrived at the gas station and spoke to the woman. She told him that she was being directed by a person at Chase Bank to send her money to a cryptocurrency account. KCPQ-TV obtained body camera video of the interaction and published clips of it in its news report. “This woman was just a couple of years older than my own mom and I couldn’t imagine someone doing this to her,” Stewart said. The video shows Stewart taking the phone from the woman and yelling at the scammer. "She is not clicking on anything!" says Stewart to the scammer. "Do you really want to fight this fight with me?!" "It is not your problem," says the man on the other end of the phone. "Yes, it is my problem! Because what you're doing is committing a crime! That makes it my problem!" he answers. 'The only thing that could’ve made it better is if I could’ve gotten my hands on him.' The officer said that the woman was moments away from sending thousands of dollars to the scammer and losing that money forever. "I was irritated. Not just as a police officer but as a human being," said Stewart. The woman was able to file a fraud report with the company that runs the cryptocurrency machine and will receive her money back. “It has nothing to do with vulnerability, really. It has to do with the terror and the bullying that these people do to them," said Stewart. “The only thing that could’ve made it better is if I could’ve gotten my hands on him. I would’ve loved to have taken him to jail.'" Stewart said that after the ordeal, the woman hugged him and thanked him for his help. Experts say that scammers can spoof phone numbers and people who suspect they are being scammed should hang up when they receive a call and instead call in to the company through a confirmed phone number. They said people should avoid giving personal information to people over the phone and added that institutions will not ask people to send money via cryptocurrency. White Settlement is a suburb of Fort Worth with about 18k residents. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Daily Mail went mega-viral on social media after a that Britons would be suffering under a 48-hour "heatwave" that was mocked and ridiculed online. "UK to be blasted by 48 hour 26C heatwave with five cities in England the hottest," read the missive from its official account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. 'How the f*** did they manage to truly colonize the planet.'The post was mocked so thoroughly that it garnered more than 142 million views on the platform. "This is literally the temperature we set for our home’s air conditioning," responded scientist Dr. Phil Metzger. "Retiring from YouTube and moving to the UK to start an air conditioning business. Wtf are you guys doing over there? Even broke people in the Midwest had window AC units when I was growing up. Letting the condensation drip onto you while trading Pokémon cards with the homies," replied podcaster Tyler Wine. "How the f*** did they manage to truly colonize the planet when they can’t tolerate a mild 79 degrees…," read another tweet. "When I first went to England in summer 2018, they were having a 'record breaking heatwave.' People were passing out, it didn’t rain for weeks, the ground was so dry ancient ruins were popping up. Meanwhile it was a pleasant 75 and sunny everyday. Best summer I’ve ever had," read another popular response. Others defended the Brits by pointing out that they had to suffer the mild weather with poor ventilation. "For Americans who think this is not bad, imagine if homes were old, poorly ventilated and almost never had any kind of AC, and also the humidity was 90%," responded podcaster Ed Zitron. "Listen. As an American who was living in London in 2017 with 28 years of experience in New England swamp summer..93F in a building with zero air flow - and a city sold out of fans AND air conditioning units..is not pretty. Don’t get me started on the tube in the heat either," read another response. Some even blame global warming for the alarming rise of heat in Britain to that of enjoyable room temperature in the U.S. One of the major differences between the U.K. and the United States is the proliferation of air conditioning units. As recently as 2020, two thirds of U.S. homes used centralized air conditioning, and another 22% used some other form of air conditioning. A 2021 report from the British government estimated that only 5% of homes in the U.K. had air conditioning. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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A record more than 20 NATO member nations are hitting the Western military alliance's defense spending target this year, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday, as Russia's war in Ukraine has raised the threat of expanding conflict in Europe.