Female domestic cats can give birth to litters of kittens from spring through late autumn in regions with

temperate climates. In equatorial areas, they are capable of reproducing year-round. Typical litter sizes
typically vary from two to five kittens. Domestic cats are selectively bred and showcased at events as
pedigreed cats, a pursuit known as cat fancy. Efforts to control the cat population often involve spaying
and neutering, but due to their rapid reproduction and the abandonment of pets, feral cat populations
have proliferated globally, contributing to the endangerment of various bird, mammal, and reptile
species.

In 2017, the domestic cat held the distinction of being the second most popular pet in the United States,
with a staggering 95.6 million cats owned and approximately 42 million households housing at least one
cat. In the United Kingdom, 26% of adults are cat owners, resulting in an estimated 10.9 million pet cats
as of 2020. As of 2021, the global cat population numbered around 220 million as owned pets, with an
additional 480 million cats living as strays.