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Learn the difference between stray and community cats, and find out how to help cats near you.
One of the largest challenges facing animal welfare organizations today is the sheer number of animals in need of assistance. Every year, approximately 6.3 million companion animals arrive at one of the community animal shelters nationwide.
Although animals enter shelters for a variety of reasons, the majority of shelter populations are comprised of strays, rescues and surrenders:
Due to these overwhelming intake rates, shelters often struggle to adopt out all—or even most—of the animals who come through their doors. With so many lives at stake, it’s important to understand exactly what we’re up against:*
*These estimates are based in part on Shelter Animals Count data and other known and estimated sources, 2019. These are national estimates based on data obtained from shelters and rescues; the figures may vary from state to state.