In most countries, there are too many cats and not enough people with homes to take them in. This sad fact extends across national borders and affects everyone. In France, 12,000 kitten are born everyday but only one out of twelve of those cats will find a good home.

That’s why people in France are urging people not to take a cat to a shelter because there’s a good chance it might be destroyed. Instead, take time to find the cat’s owner such as through an identifying tattoo or microchip. Better yet, if the cat seems to need a home, consider adopting the cat for yourself. This advice applies to everyone regardless of what country they may be in.

To learn more about how the French deal with lost cats, click here.