An estimated 480 million stray and community cats worldwide face welfare challenges from disease, injury, predation, and harsh weather.
Community cats experience chronic welfare challenges that indoor cats do not face. Untreated injuries from fights and vehicles cause prolonged suffering. Respiratory and parasitic diseases are endemic. Seasonal temperature extremes cause hypothermia and heat stress. Malnutrition from competition and prey scarcity is common. Kittens born outdoors have very high mortality rates. Trap-Neuter-Return programs improve welfare for existing cats while humanely stopping population growth.