Agriculture Ministry Pet Survey: National Cats Reach 1.74 Million, Surpassing Dogs for the First Time
Taiwan's Agriculture Ministry announced its latest survey, revealing that the number of pet cats has reached 1.74 million, surpassing pet dogs (1.46 million) for the first time. This trend is linked to societal changes and urban living spaces, with pet registration and sterilization rates also steadily increasing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 13:48
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 14:01 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 16:11 (2h 9m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Correspondent Wang Shufen, Taipei, April 20) The Ministry of Agriculture announced today the results of its 114th year (2025) survey on the number of pet dogs and cats nationwide. The estimated number of pet dogs nationwide is 1.46 million, a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to 2023, while the number of pet cats is 1.74 million, an increase of over 30%, surpassing pet dogs for the first time. However, households with dogs still outnumber those with cats.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, the estimated number of pet dogs nationwide in 114 (2025) is 1,462,528, a decrease of 18,109 (1.2%) compared to 1,480,637 in 112 (2023), showing overall stability. The estimated number of pet cats nationwide is 1,742,033, an increase of 430,584 (32.8%) from 1,311,449 in 112 (2023).
The Ministry of Agriculture analyzed that the proportion of households raising pet dogs nationwide is still slightly higher than that of pet cats, by about 1.2%. However, the proportion of Taiwanese households raising two or more pet dogs has not significantly changed compared to the 2023 survey. In contrast, the proportion of households raising two or more pet cats has increased compared to previous surveys, leading to a significant increase in the total number of pet cats.
Chiang Wen-chuan, Director of the Department of Animal Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture, told the media that the increase in cat ownership is mainly due to changes in social structure, with more single people, especially in urban areas, and smaller living spaces making cat ownership more convenient. Many people also adopt more than one cat, leading to a rapid increase in the cat population.
The Ministry of Agriculture stated that this survey continues the framework of previous surveys and has continuously improved the sampling design and estimation methods. Compared to the sampling method based on residential telephones in 110 (2021), mobile phone samples have been included since 112 (2023), and in 114 (2025), the sample allocation has been further optimized to better represent different regions and population characteristics, enhancing statistical representativeness.
The Ministry of Agriculture's survey also found that the national dog registration rate and sterilization rate continue to increase, but the registration rate and mother dog sterilization rate in some counties and cities are lower than the national average.
The Ministry of Agriculture's comprehensive review of the survey results from 110 (2021), 112 (2023), and 114 (2025) shows that the national dog registration rate has increased from 69.5% in 110 (2021) to 77.2% in 114 (2025). The pet dog sterilization rate has also increased from 66.41% in 110 (2021) to 71.75% in 114 (2025), showing a stable upward trend. The mother dog sterilization rate is a key indicator for controlling reproduction and reducing the number of stray dogs, and it has maintained a relatively high proportion, indicating that the source management measures are gradually taking effect.
In addition, on December 16, 113 (2024), according to the Animal Protection Act, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that pet cats are included in the scope of mandatory pet registration. A one-year grace period has been given, and formal enforcement will begin on January 1, 115 (2026).
The Ministry of Agriculture's survey this time also shows that the cat registration rate has increased from 58.45% in 112 (2023) to 66.48% in 114 (2025). However, according to the legal awareness results from the survey, a considerable proportion of owners are not fully aware of the cat registration requirement, indicating the need for continuous publicity and support measures from central and local governments to strengthen enforcement.
This survey shows that the dog registration rate in some counties and cities is lower than the national average, including Chiayi County (44.7%), Yunlin County (63.6%), and Changhua County (66.2%). Additionally, the mother dog sterilization rate in some counties and cities is also lower than the national average, including Chiayi City (52.6%), Yunlin County (70.5%), and Keelung City (72.4%). However, the overall trend is mostly stable or gradually improving, indicating room for improvement in local promotion.
The Ministry of Agriculture will strengthen supervision in counties and cities with relatively low dog registration rates and mother dog sterilization rates. Through policy guidance, resource assistance, and targeted publicity, it will assist in strengthening pet registration and mother dog sterilization efforts. It also calls on owners to register their pets and implement sterilization according to regulations to reduce the generation of stray dogs and cats at the source. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150420
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(Central News Agency Correspondent Wang Shufen, Taipei, April 20) The Ministry of Agriculture announced today the results of its 114th year (2025) survey on the number of pet dogs and cats nationwide. The estimated number of pet dogs nationwide is 1.46 million, a slight decrease of 1.2% compared to 2023, while the number of pet cats is 1.74 million, an increase of over 30%, surpassing pet dogs for the first time. However, households with dogs still outnumber those with cats.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, the estimated number of pet dogs nationwide in 114 (2025) is 1,462,528, a decrease of 18,109 (1.2%) compared to 1,480,637 in 112 (2023), showing overall stability. The estimated number of pet cats nationwide is 1,742,033, an increase of 430,584 (32.8%) from 1,311,449 in 112 (2023).
The Ministry of Agriculture analyzed that the proportion of households raising pet dogs nationwide is still slightly higher than that of pet cats, by about 1.2%. However, the proportion of Taiwanese households raising two or more pet dogs has not significantly changed compared to the 2023 survey. In contrast, the proportion of households raising two or more pet cats has increased compared to previous surveys, leading to a significant increase in the total number of pet cats.
Chiang Wen-chuan, Director of the Department of Animal Protection of the Ministry of Agriculture, told the media that the increase in cat ownership is mainly due to changes in social structure, with more single people, especially in urban areas, and smaller living spaces making cat ownership more convenient. Many people also adopt more than one cat, leading to a rapid increase in the cat population.
The Ministry of Agriculture stated that this survey continues the framework of previous surveys and has continuously improved the sampling design and estimation methods. Compared to the sampling method based on residential telephones in 110 (2021), mobile phone samples have been included since 112 (2023), and in 114 (2025), the sample allocation has been further optimized to better represent different regions and population characteristics, enhancing statistical representativeness.
The Ministry of Agriculture's survey also found that the national dog registration rate and sterilization rate continue to increase, but the registration rate and mother dog sterilization rate in some counties and cities are lower than the national average.
The Ministry of Agriculture's comprehensive review of the survey results from 110 (2021), 112 (2023), and 114 (2025) shows that the national dog registration rate has increased from 69.5% in 110 (2021) to 77.2% in 114 (2025). The pet dog sterilization rate has also increased from 66.41% in 110 (2021) to 71.75% in 114 (2025), showing a stable upward trend. The mother dog sterilization rate is a key indicator for controlling reproduction and reducing the number of stray dogs, and it has maintained a relatively high proportion, indicating that the source management measures are gradually taking effect.
In addition, on December 16, 113 (2024), according to the Animal Protection Act, the Ministry of Agriculture announced that pet cats are included in the scope of mandatory pet registration. A one-year grace period has been given, and formal enforcement will begin on January 1, 115 (2026).
The Ministry of Agriculture's survey this time also shows that the cat registration rate has increased from 58.45% in 112 (2023) to 66.48% in 114 (2025). However, according to the legal awareness results from the survey, a considerable proportion of owners are not fully aware of the cat registration requirement, indicating the need for continuous publicity and support measures from central and local governments to strengthen enforcement.
This survey shows that the dog registration rate in some counties and cities is lower than the national average, including Chiayi County (44.7%), Yunlin County (63.6%), and Changhua County (66.2%). Additionally, the mother dog sterilization rate in some counties and cities is also lower than the national average, including Chiayi City (52.6%), Yunlin County (70.5%), and Keelung City (72.4%). However, the overall trend is mostly stable or gradually improving, indicating room for improvement in local promotion.
The Ministry of Agriculture will strengthen supervision in counties and cities with relatively low dog registration rates and mother dog sterilization rates. Through policy guidance, resource assistance, and targeted publicity, it will assist in strengthening pet registration and mother dog sterilization efforts. It also calls on owners to register their pets and implement sterilization according to regulations to reduce the generation of stray dogs and cats at the source. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150420
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Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.