Cross Breeds

Why are there more cats in shelters than dogs?

I've noticed that whenever I look at different shelters websites there's always way more cats on the site than dogs. Same goes for when we go to shelters looking to adopt. There'll at least 100 or more cats. Yet, you only see 20 - 30 dogs. Are people more likely to throw cats out than dogs? Do cats have more kittens than dogs have puppies?

Public Comments

1. Because I think alot more cats roam freely than dogs. They also go into heat more frequently, as well as younger than dogs. Most people who have dogs keep them in the backyard. If someone has a cat that is indoor/ outdoor they just run around everywhere.
2. Unless kept indoors at all times, cats are difficult to contain. Some cat owners don't bother having a cat spayed or neutered, so yes they have more offspring.
3. Cats breed at a very high rate and many people do consider them more disposable. Some people are less inclined to spay and neuter cats, which only makes the problem worse. And most people want a kitten so adult cats often wait longer for adoption. Personally I prefer to adopt relaxed, uncrazy adult cats, but hey, that's just me.
4. well cats reproduce faster and run away easer than dogs. cats can have 7 litters of 6 a year
5. Probably because cats are more prone to wandering, getting into trouble and being picked up. Most owners don't seem to think of calling shelters to try and trace their cat. Plus you have more hoarders of cats than dogs which means more get reported and taken away. Sad fact of life. Yes, cats do breed more litters than dogs. Dogs only come into season twice a year, whereas cats can get 'caught' again shortly after producing a litter.
6. The main reason is because people let their cats go outside especially when they are not spade and neutered! You never see dogs roaming the streets by themselves, at least in North America. Other reasons are because some people can't train their cats and when their cat doesn't do certain things, people often abandon them more readily than a dog.
7. Cats are temperamental, independent, and just not dogs... I think that turns some people off and they can't deal with them. Plus, cats are a bit more sneaky and capable of running away easier.
8. cuz People wont fix there animals for one cats rome get lost and if pregent they have and then these to will be out and about to as thy please, which is soooooooooooo sad if only this person who had the cat or cats fixed in the first place there would not be this promblem we all see, plus cats can Get pregent while she is still nursing the 1st bunch, cats and dogs have the same number of off spring some dogs will have more depends on size. another factor is alot of these poor cats are abanded.................... why cuz people are plan stupid if u dont want the kitty find it a home or better yet DON'T EVEN GET THE KAT. SAME GOES 4 DOGS YEA love the critters till they get bigger or do some thing wrong then boot the critter out.... all boils down to THINK BE U DO.
9. i think because most of people like dogs more than cats
10. Cats are more popular as pets than dogs. Owned cats outnumber owned dogs by about 15 million in the US, and stray cats are obviously much more numerous than stray dogs.
11. Because the laws are more strictly enforced as far keeping dogs on leash or confined. Cats sort of get ignored, & many people don't bother to get their cats spayed, so there are even more kitties..
12. I used to volunteer at a local shelter where I live. I found it to be just the opposite. There were twice as many dogs than cats. But, I did see a lot of kittens. People would come in looking for puppies and we hardly ever had small puppies. The kittens always got adopted quickly though. An observation that I have noticed though, people are always giving away puppies in front of our local Walmart, but I never see people giving away kittens. I don't know why??