The overpopulation of cats continues in Canada

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QMI agency

Saturday, 30 December, 2017 18:46

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Saturday, 30 December, 2017 18:46

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Although it is the favorite pet of Canadians, the cat is not entitled to the same treatment as the dog. One of the main consequences of this phenomenon is the overpopulation of the feline population that persists in the country, despite efforts to stem the problem.

This is the conclusion reached, the Fédération des sociétés canadiennes d’assistance aux animaux (CFHS) in its five-year report published recently.

In Canada, 62 % of households have a pet. The cats remain the companions of the most popular. In fact, 36.9 percent of canadian families have a cat whereas 35,2% of them have a dog. In total, there would be 9.3 million of cats adopted in the country.

On average, 94 % of cat owners say that their has been sterilized. This is a clear improvement compared to 2012, while this rate was 80 %.

Nevertheless, two-thirds of the respondents felt that there was a problem of overpopulation of the feline in their neighborhood.

In addition, two times more cats than dogs are taken in by shelters. The proportion of young cats is also two times higher than that of young dogs in shelters.

In addition, the number of complaints relating to stray cats is only 10 % as opposed to 68 % for dogs lost.

Improvements

The report of the CFHS, however, reveals new positive trends. Among them, two times more cats are admitted to shelters have identifications compared to 2012.

The rate of euthanasia of cats has also decreased, while the number of adoptions has increased. In fact, 60 % of cats brought to the shelter found a foster family, compared to 43 % in 2012.

Despite these improvements, the amount of cats in this country is always greater than the number of homes that are ready to welcome them. The reproductive system of cats, which is active at a very young age, is one of the main causes of this phenomenon of overpopulation.

The Federation of canadian companies assistance to animals, therefore, recommends the systematic use of sterilization for cats in all adoption programs in the country.