Our study aims to analyze the various factors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, namely the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and intake of cat populations from animal shelters, that could have impacted free-roaming cat populations. We collected data from Animal Care Centers focusing on the intake and adoption of stray cats from 2014 to 2024. Our data suggests that the decreased intake of stray cats in NYC’s animal shelters correlates with the sudden increase in free-roaming cat populations. We also collected data from rat sightings to measure the possible impact that the free-roaming cat population would have on NYC’s rat population. Our data suggests that there is a positive relationship between the free-roaming cat population and the rat population in NYC.