How Many Cats Are Abandoned Each Year In The Uk: A Startling Revelation

With approximately 11 million cats residing in roughly one out of every four households, cats hold the title of being the most favored pet in Britain. However, up until recently, the precise number of homeless cats in the UK remained a mystery. As of October 28, 2021, data on the scale of the country’s stray cat population had not been fully determined. This information is crucial for understanding and addressing the issue of cat homelessness in the UK.

In the UK, there were a staggering 38,087 reported cases of animal abandonment last year. This averages out to over 3,000 reports per month, or approximately 104 cases each day, highlighting the severity of this issue. Even more distressing is the fact that the number of abandoned animals is steadily increasing. Between 2020 and 2021, there was a concerning 17% rise, and this trend persisted into 2022 with a 24% surge. This data, reported on August 31, 2022, underscores the urgent need for awareness and action regarding animal welfare in the country.

Using official urban population statistics for towns and cities across the UK, we applied the findings to estimate the total number of unowned urban felines. This groundbreaking study revealed a national estimate of 247,429 unowned cats, providing the first comprehensive insight into the extent of this issue in the country. The findings have been published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports, shedding light on the magnitude of the challenge posed by unwanted cats in the UK.