Russia leads world in cat ownership — yet has 2.8 million strays

Russia has the highest rate of cat ownership in the world, with nearly 59% of households keeping at least one cat — and an estimated 2.8 million stray cats living on its streets, a number that rose sharply after the 2022 mobilisation order sent thousands of pet owners fleeing the country or to the front amid Russia's ongoing all-out war in Ukraine. According to a 2024-2026 study by analytics platform Seasia Stats, Russia ranks first globally for cats as pets. Romania ranks second in Europe at 48%, followed by Poland at 41%, Latvia at 37% and Hungary at 35%. Outside Europe, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, New Zealand and the US also make the top 10.