* No Global Cat Census: There isn't a global organization that tracks cat populations.
* Varied Definitions: "Cat" can mean different things: pet cats, feral cats, wild cats (like lions and tigers).
* Constant Change: Cat populations are always fluctuating due to births, deaths, and changes in pet ownership.
Estimates:
While we can't get a precise number, some organizations have made estimations based on available data:
* The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) estimated in 2017 that there were around 600 million pet cats worldwide. This was based on extrapolated data from specific countries.
* Other estimates suggest that the total number of cats, including feral and wild cats, could be significantly higher than 600 million.
In Conclusion:
While we don't have a concrete answer, we can safely say there are hundreds of millions, if not billions, of cats living around the world.