We are seeing more and more stray cats in our streets, our countryside, and even in our gardens. Behind this observation lies a complex reality, which explains why France now has more than 11 million stray cats . Understanding the causes is also key to finding solutions to reduce this problem.
1. Abandonments, the primary cause
Every year, around 100,000 animals are abandoned in France , a large proportion of them cats. This is a sad European record. Many of these cats, once left to fend for themselves, reproduce and contribute to the stray cat population.
2. Uncontrolled reproduction
A cat can have its first litter as early as 6 months old. A female can give birth to up to 20 kittens per year . Without sterilization, the cat population explodes rapidly.
- One female cat and her offspring can give birth to more than 20,000 cats in just 4 years .
It is this vicious cycle that explains the massive proliferation.
3. Lack of sterilization and identification
In France, sterilization is not mandatory, and 80% of stray cats are not sterilized .
Added to this is another problem: identification. Although the law requires cats to be identified, only 40% of domestic cats are actually registered. As a result, when they get lost, many become permanently stray.
4. The limitations of shelters and associations
French shelters take in over 45,000 cats and dogs each year , but they cannot absorb the entire influx. Local associations do considerable work, but they often lack financial and human resources.
5. Awareness remains insufficient
Finally, many individuals are unaware of the scale of the problem or believe that stray cats “can fend for themselves”. However, on the street, their life expectancy drops drastically: 2 to 4 years , compared to 12 to 15 years for a domestic cat.
What should be done in this situation?
The solution lies in three main areas:
- Mass sterilization to limit reproduction.
- Empowering owners , with better identification of domestic cats.
- Local solidarity , through the installation of shelters, supervised feeding and support for associations.
At Miawi, we want to contribute to this solution by offering practical and accessible shelters, in order to reduce the suffering of stray cats and give them a dignified chance of survival.
