Fast Facts: Pet Overpopulation in the United States

It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States; estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.

The average number of litters a fertile cat produces is one to two a year; average number of kittens is 4-6 per litter.

The average number of litters a fertile dog produces is one a year; average number of puppies is 4-6.

Owned cats and dogs generally live longer, healthier lives than strays.

Most strays are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.

Only ten percent of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. About 75 percent of owned pets are neutered.

The cost of spaying or neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for a year.

Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them.

All data are ASPCA estimates.

Find this article and more at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals