-
Global research reveals how many stray animals are on the streets
January 29, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
Global research reveals just how many stray animals are living on the streets, with pet homelessness rates soaring worldwide.
The State of Pet Homelessness Project report has put a spotlight on the staggering number of pets living on the streets or in shelters in 20 countries.
→ What are the best pets for kids? Read the expert’s top choices online now
New research has revealed just how many stray animals live on the streets, with the staggering statistics highlighting the scale of global pet homelessness.
The research was spearheaded by a coalition of animal welfare experts in partnership with Mars. The group had a shared ambition to end pet homelessness.
‘The State of Pet Homelessness Project’ reveals there’s approximately 362 million homeless pets across 20 countries surveyed.
The findings indicate approximately 35% of cats and dogs live on the streets or in shelters.
That’s about 143 million dogs and 203 million cats on the streets. While approximately 12 million dogs and four million cats in shelters.
The project is the largest international study of its kind and aims to understand the extent of pet homelessness. It also looks at the factors contributing to the issue.
Jeffrey Flocken, President of Humane Society International, stresses the complexity of pet homelessness.
“This new data will help animal welfare organisations, policymakers, pet professionals, academics and researchers to better understand the scale and factors influencing the issue,” Flocken says.
“Which can, in turn, support the most impactful interventions.”
Stray cats in the Middle East (image supplied)
Global pet homelessness crisis
The data was gathered from over 900 sources, 30,000 public surveys, and 200 expert interviews.
The 20 countries involved are Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, The Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, Thailand, the USA, and the UK.
While each country has different challenges, the data also reveals several common themes across the twenty countries:
Pet–friendly housing limitations: Almost one in five people that are considering giving up their cat or dog in the near future say it’s because they are moving home and cannot take their pet with them. And almost half of those who have rehomed a pet in the past did so for that reason.
Pet ownership challenges: Globally around 15% of pet owners are considering giving up their pet in the next 12 months.
Personal health and fitness challenges to still be able to care for a pet being the number one reason globally. Housing related factors come second, and time pressure to be able to look after a pet being the third most common reason. Other factors like behaviour, family allergies and cost also appear in the data.
Homeless, lost population increase: A concerning finding is the high number of pets lost and not reunited with their owners. Additionally, the low sterilisation rates of pets contribute to unplanned litters, exacerbating the homelessness issue. A surprising number of people lose their pet, and often don’t get reunited. Almost half of people surveyed had lost a pet, and of those almost 60% were never found.
Globally, pet owners report that only about 50% of dogs and 60% of cats are sterilised. Meaning the remainder can result in unplanned litters, exacerbating the problem.
Top products to help reduce stray animal problem
There are a number of items that every pet owner should have to ensure their pets are safe, secure, and don’t end up on the streets after running away.
We’ve listed our top picks below, as well as products to help stray animals already living on the streets in your neighbourhood
Pet ID tags
Without a doubt one of the most important items every pet parent needs to purchase is an ID tag for their dog or cat. Every day, animals are found wandering and taken to the local shelter because they don’t have a tag with their owner’s contact details. Having one can save a lot of worry, time, and even money!
Our pick are these custom pet ID tags from Bright Star Buddies: they offer personalised dog identification tags and there’s many gorgeous options with countless design choices available in their cat identification tags also.
We also love Bright Star Buddies’ range of personalised pet collars, which pair perfectly to whichever pet ID tag you choose! colourful collars
GPS pet trackers
GPS trackers can help prevent pets from becoming strays by enabling owners to locate their pets if they go missing.
Our top picks are the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker, and their GPS cat tracker.
Microchip scanners
Microchip scanners help identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners. These devices are crucial for shelters and rescue organisations. But there’s also some affordable microchip scanners that animal lovers can keep at home or in their car in case they come across a lost dog or cat.
We’ve chosen these three from Amazon that highlight the broad range available
- Animal Reader’s handheld microchip scanner
- FDIT’s portable universal handheld scanner
- Generic’s Bluetooth device allows scanning from 9cm away and gives readings in multiple languages.
Flea, tick, and worm treatments
Stray animals often suffer from infestations. Providing flea and tick treatments can greatly improve their health and quality of life. It’s also an essential item for every pet owner to have on hand.
Revolution Plus has six-pack boxes available for small cats and kittens, medium cats, and large adult cats.
They also have treatment packs available for puppies, which can be the highest risk category for infestations, especially when stray.
Humane animal traps
Humane traps are essential for safely capturing stray animals for rescue and relocation. They are designed to ensure the safety and comfort of the animal during the capture process.
There’s a large range available online, from smaller traps for humanely catching and removing animals that wander into your backyard, to large humane animal traps.
Research reveals interventions needed to reduce how many stray animals on the streets
Loïc Moutault, Global President of Mars Petcare, highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve the lives of these pets. Mars aims to support 30 million vulnerable pets over the next five years through various initiatives.
Mars has also donated $500,000 to Humane Society International. That money will fund projects in India, South Africa, and Mexico, focusing on reproduction control, training, and care.
This effort is part of Mars’ ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable pets globally.
Australian statistics www.stateofpethomelessness.com.
Stray animals in Australia
Reports have been made for all the countries surveyed. Australia’s report highlights the overwhelming number of homeless cats compared to dogs.
The State of Pet Homelessness website says three percent of Australia’s cats and dogs are homeless. This means, there’s roughly 328,ooo homeless pets out of 10.5 million.
While there’s almost 62,000 dogs in shelters across the country, there’s almost double the number of cats – 117,000.
Street cats are also significantly higher than dogs: 110,ooo compared to 38,ooo.
(image: State of Pet Homelessness Australia report)
→ Read our article on how pets have become the latest victim of the global cost-of-living crisis.
Challenges making Australian pet ownership harder
Australia is a nation of pet lovers, known for our overall responsible pet ownership. But, in recent years we’ve seen just how many stray animals are on the streets.
A number of challenges contribute to this rise in pet homelessness. We’ve listed some of the most crucial challenges, all of which highlight the need for more supportive policies and community initiatives to help pet owners.
Rising cost-of-living: The increasing cost-of-living in Australia is a significant concern for pet owners. Expenses such as veterinary care, pet food, and other essentials have seen a notable rise. This increase strains the budgets of many people, making it challenging to provide the necessary care for their pets.
Pet-friendly rentals: Finding rental properties that allow pets remains a major hurdle in Australia. Despite pets being a beloved part of many Australian households, a significant number of landlords and rental properties still maintain a ‘no pets’ policy. This restriction often forces pet owners to make the difficult decision to rehome their pets when moving.
Limited access to pet care services: In some areas, especially rural and remote regions, access to veterinary services and pet care facilities can be limited.
Urbanisation and lifestyle changes: As more Australians move to urban areas, the change in lifestyle can also impact pet ownership. As does smaller living spaces, busy work schedules, and urban environments with limited outdoor space for pets.
Breed-specific legislation and restrictions: Certain breeds of dogs are subject to restrictions in various parts of Australia. This legislation can create additional challenges for owners of these breeds.
Environmental hazards: Australia’s unique environment also poses specific challenges, such as the threat of wildlife, extreme weather conditions, and the prevalence of ticks and other parasites. Pet owners must be vigilant and proactive in protecting their pets from these environmental hazards.
READ MORE FROM ANIMAL FRIENDLY LIFE
Sign up to raise funds for breast cancer research by dog walking this February
Trees for Pets; unique pet memorial using trees to honour lost pets