Many misconceptions circulate about stray cats. These beliefs, often passed down through habit or ignorance, hinder action and contribute to the suffering of millions of cats in France. Yet, by understanding the facts, everyone can take simple, effective, and responsible action.
Here are the 5 most widespread misconceptions… and the truth that debunks them.
1. "Stray cats know how to fend for themselves" – False
Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of stray cats were not born wild.
- 9 out of 10 stray cats are either abandoned or descended from unsterilized domestic cats.
- They lack the instincts necessary to survive in a hostile environment
According to the SPA, up to 50% of stray cats do not survive their first winter without human help.
The truth: They are not adapted to long-term survival outdoors. Providing them with shelter or food is often their only chance.
2. "If you feed the cats, they will multiply" – False
Food is not the cause of overpopulation. The real cause is the lack of sterilization .
- A female can have up to 20 kittens per year
- Feeding without sterilizing creates a cycle of suffering
- But feeding AND stabilizing (via shelter) allows for sterilization and therefore lasting control
The truth: Installing a Miawi shelter and participating in sterilization is the most effective solution against overpopulation.
3. “Stray cats carry diseases” – Partially false
A stray cat left without care can indeed develop diseases…
But that is not a reason not to act: it is precisely abandonment and indifference that cause these diseases.
The truth: Stabilizing, feeding and protecting cats drastically reduces the risk of transmissible diseases.
Sterilized and monitored colonies have a 70% lower infection rate (Bardot Foundation).
4. "They don't need shelter, they find places to hide" – False
Taking refuge under a car or in a bush is not shelter.
- Damp ground causes hypothermia
- Car engines kill thousands of cats every year.
- Stray cats die not from the direct cold… but from dampness and lack of shelter
The truth: An outdoor shelter, like those from Miawi, really does protect the cat from bad weather and urban hazards.
5. "It's not my problem, it's the role of associations" – False
The associations are overwhelmed:
- More than 45,000 cats are taken in each year.
- Not enough resources to cover the entire territory
- They are counting on citizens to take action at their own level.
The truth: Every person can make a difference with simple actions: setting up a shelter, providing water, reporting a cat in distress.
"Animal protection begins at home."
30 Million Friends Foundation
Conclusion: to act is to understand
These preconceived ideas prevent action and perpetuate animal suffering.
But knowing the reality, we understand that stray cats are not a problem to be ignored , but lives to be protected.
With Miawi, we want to break down myths and provide concrete solutions that are accessible to everyone.
Because helping a stray cat is not a burden… it’s an act of responsibility and humanity.
Changing your mind is the first step to saving a life.
