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Story summary
- Russia reports the world’s highest cat ownership rate, with 58.8% of households owning at least one cat.
- A 2025 study estimated 2.8 million stray cats roamed Russian streets.
- Stray cat numbers surged after the September 2022 partial mobilisation order.
- Russia’s 819 shelters, mostly private, house about 5-7% of strays, roughly 170,000-250,000 animals.
- Seasia Stats study (2024-2026) ranked Russia first worldwide for cats as pets.