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Some useful facts and figures about Cats Protection, the UK's leading cat welfare charity, founded in 1927...

We have over 6,500 cats and kittens in our care at any time.
We rehome and reunite 55,500 cats every year.
We help to neuter 120,000 cats per year.
We have 29 adoption centres spread across the UK.
We have over 250 branches are run by volunteers nationwide.
We have around 7,000 active volunteers.
We reunite 3,500 cats with their rightful owners every year.
Our helpline answers over 100,000 calls per annum.
Two-thirds of UK schools make use of our education packs.

To find out about our current campaigns, or to discuss the statistics in more detail please contact our Media Office.

Further cat facts...

 UK Cat population trends
(source: Pet Food Manufacturers Association, www.pfma.com)

  • 2003 Feline population was approx. 9.2 million. Twice the number it was 30 years ago.
  • Cats are the UK's favourite pet. They are low maintenance, affectionate and independent, and fit in well with urban, working lifestyles.

 UK Cat ownership trends
(source: TGI 2004)

  • There are 1.28 million male-cat owners in the UK, the majority of whom live in London.
  • There are 4.7 million female-cat owners, the majority of whom also live in London.
  • Male cat owners are most likely to be aged 45-54. Female owners more likely to be aged 35-44.
  • Both male and female cat owners are more likely to be separated, widowed or divorced.
  • Male cat owners are more successful than their cat-less male counterparts and are less likely to have children than female cat owners.

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Grey kitten looking up

Why cats come into our centres...

Reason per cent
Stray/abandoned31.5
Owner circumstances19.3
Kittens14.2
Cat transfer within CP9.3
Problem behaviour7.4
Can't cope4.8
Allergy/asthma4.6
No reason3.3
Too many cats2.2
Owner pregnancy/child2.1
Cat ill/pregnant1.2
Other0.1

Reg Charity
203644 (England and Wales)
SC037711 (Scotland)
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