An estimated 65 million of them roam our country. The majority are unwanted, ending up as highway carnage or imprisoned within steel cages for almost certain death by euthanasia. Much of the death and suffering, sadly enough, is preventable. For despite their fiercely independent nature, cats are dependant on us for their livelihood.
Cats appear to have it worse than their canine counterparts.
Statistics from the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy show that dogs were far more likely to be reclaimed by owners than cats. Furthermore, cats were euthanized at a higher frequency - 72 percent compared with 56 percent of dogs. So many kittens are put to sleep at our shelter because people say they're wild,'' Thomas says. It is baffling to Thomas that so few cats and kittens are adopted from animal shelters. In 70 percent of feline households, cats are allowed to lie on the furniture.