The District of Columbia, like a lot of cities, has a cat dilemma. Stray and feral cats roam the streets of Washington, protected by neuter-and-release policies.

They prey on wildlife and carry diseases that are dangerous to humans, concerning conservationists. Their quality of life can be poor.

As cat populations continue to flourish, scientists and animal advocates are searching for the best and most responsible way to manage them. A new initiative called D.C. Cat Count might provide some answers. It is spending the next three years counting all the cats that live in Washington, and observing how they move around.

And you read that right — all the cats, including pets.

While other cities have embarked on smaller efforts to count segments of their cat populations, D.C. Cat Count, which started this week, announced it aimed to count every cat in the nation’s capital, not just those living on the streets or in shelters but also all the rest, whether living indoors, outdoors or both.