8/89Ratio of American children to American cats and dogs: 1:2

U.S. Bureau of the Census/Pet Food Institute (Washington)

8/93Number of American cats fitted with pacemakers last year: 800

American Animal Hospital Association (Denver)

9/87Percentage of cat owners who say they confide in their cats about important matters: 57

Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian (Lawrenceville, N.J.)

3/90Estimated number of pounces it takes a cat to catch a rodent: 3

Dennis Turner, Zoology Institute, University of Zurich

1/05Total number of cats that entered the Cat Fanciers’ Association 2004 “Best Cat in Championship” competition: 31,899

Cat Fanciers’ Association (Manasquan, N.J.)

    Points by which a cat named Colin Powell defeated the runner-up: 114.35

Cat Fanciers’ Association (Manasquan, N.J.)