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Dogs vs cats: which animal is the favorite of Parisians?

undefined undefined 1 février 2025 undefined 09h30

The Editor

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Team chat or team dog? According to the latest data from Icad, cats are in the majority in France, and even more so in Paris. This trend is confirming itself year after year.

Four-legged animals never fail to warm our hearts, and more and more, they are considered an integral part of the family. While dogs are quite popular in the capital, they are still far fewer than their feline counterparts, who seem to have truly won the affection of the French, especially the people of Île-de-France. According to the National Identification Database for dogs, cats, and ferrets (Icad), Paris had no less than 322,832 identified cats in 2023, making it the department with the largest feline population. It is followed by Nord (298,868) and Bouches-du-Rhône (255,298). 


Cats and Dogs on the Rise for the Last Ten Years 

According to the cat population map of Paris published by Apur, districts like the 11th, 15th, 18th, and 20th show a great interest in cats, as this is where the feline population is the densest. If Paris stands out as the ultimate cat city, these observations can also be applied on a national scale. According to the annual barometer of dog and cat identification in France from Icad, 758,439 dogs were registered in the Hexagon in 2023 (-0.85% compared to 2022), while 917,590 cats were recorded (+5% compared to 2022). 

A significant increase in the number of these animals has been observed over the last ten years, as since 2018, the number of cats and dogs has risen by 16%. However, these figures only refer to animals identified by Icad. Even though identifying an animal has been a legal requirement since 2012, the National Register reminds us that less than one in two cats are actually identified.


Many animals available for adoption 

While the number of dogs and cats is rising in France each year, the number of abandoned animals remains significant. Between January and June 2024, 15,929 pets were abandoned by their owners, according to an initial report from SPA. In total for the year 2023, 44,844 animals had been abandoned. 

About a hundred animals.

In a majority of cases, cats and dogs have been rescued by the Franced-based organization Règne Animal and are waiting for a foster family. If you’d like to welcome a four-legged friend into your home, consider giving them a chance!