Because the precursor to the Million Cat Challenge was issued in late 2012 and again in early 2013, the million cats are counted based on intake and outcome data at the original participating shelters compared to 2012. We use the calendar year prior to registration as the basis for calculating the contributions of post-2014 sign-ups.
Data collected to document lifesaving success are feline intake, euthanasia, and live outcome for the baseline year and each calendar year of participation. The National Federation of Humane Societies’ definitions will be used for each of these terms. Learn more here about our methodology.