The Alley Cat Allies survey yielded responses from a nationally representative sample of 1,205 adults. Among the questions asked were two that explored the general public's views on which would be more humane: leaving a stray cat to live outside or having the stray cat caught and put down. The first question asked was: "If you saw a stray cat in your community and could only choose between two courses of action --leaving the cat where it is outside or having the cat caught and then put down -- which would you consider to be the more humane option for the cat? The responses reveal that an overwhelming majority of Americans - 81% - believes that leaving a stray cat outside to live out his life is more humane than having the cat caught and killed.

According to Alley Cat Allies, these results reveal a significant disparity between the public's humane ethic and the operating policy of most U.S. animal pounds and shelters.

To read the entire survey and results, click here alleycat.org.