For decades, stray and feral cats have presented animal welfare groups with several ecological, economic, and ethical problems. Yet, the issue of unowned cats has always been a community concern. Currently, it is estimated that there are between 60 and 100 million stray and feral cats in the United States.

According to the Humane Society of the United States there are about seventy million strays nationwide. Of those, an estimated five million to seven million and animals wind up in one of the nation's 3,500 shelters.

Some pet parents take the time to find a safe, loving forever home for each of the kittens. However, some cat parents choose to release the kittens onto the streets. Since the adult cat was never spayed or neutered, the kittens are forced to fend for themselves. Big life changes also contribute to the stray population.

In the U.S., 20 percent of cats and dogs are homeless; there are 5.9 million dogs living in the streets, 2.3 million dogs in shelters, 35 million cats living on the street, and 2.1 million cats in shelters.