How many pets is too many?

[BuffyGirl]

We currently have 3 cats and I am very happy with that. I know there are a lot of people who have 2x that amount, and also have dogs, etc.

Our goal in life is to take care of animals as much as we can. There are currently sibling kittens who are up for adoption that if not adopted soon, will be placed into a shelter.

A lot of times kittens can take spaces away from other cats who have been at a shelter for a while. They will put them down. Also, these siblings will likely be split up, and in the off chance they don't find homes...well you know.

It's been weighing on my mind because I know I can't save every animal. But I feel like I have this option to help, right in my face. But I'm struggling. 5 cats? That's just an insane thought. But what is supposed to be the bother? The fact that it's a number? Because the money part is no issue.

Anyone have any honest, thoughtful opinions on this? Any advice or even support will help.

 

[sithjedi171]

For some people 1 is to many. It depends on your space and your own set of circumstances.

 

[Josette]

I think that's an awesome goal to have. It's true that you can never save every animal, but to put in effort to save as many as you can gets my total admiration and respect.

If money is no problem, and you have the ability to care for them, then I would probably say go for it, just 'cause that's most likely what I would do. But ultimately it's up to you.

 

[crows]

 

[The Ween]

We currently have 3 cats and I am very happy with that. I know there are a lot of people who have 2x that amount, and also have dogs, etc.

Our goal in life is to take care of animals as much as we can. There are currently sibling kittens who are up for adoption that if not adopted soon, will be placed into a shelter.

A lot of times kittens can take spaces away from other cats who have been at a shelter for a while. They will put them down. Also, these siblings will likely be split up, and in the off chance they don't find homes...well you know.

It's been weighing on my mind because I know I can't save every animal. But I feel like I have this option to help, right in my face. But I'm struggling. 5 cats? That's just an insane thought. But what is supposed to be the bother? The fact that it's a number? Because the money part is no issue.

Anyone have any honest, thoughtful opinions on this? Any advice or even support will help.

Well, you could always try it and see how it goes, and possibly look for homes for them. You could be their foster parents for now.

 

[ProgMatinee]

Depends whether you're giving each one enough time and affection.

The ability to feed an animal because you can afford it is a pretty bad judge of whether you should get it. If that's the case, you'd probably do better to donate the extra money to shelters that work to get animals healthy and in loving homes.

Personally, I find 2 animals enough. Beyond that I think you start compromising the care, love, space each gets.

 

[The Ween]

Depends whether you're giving each one enough time and affection.

The ability to feed an animal because you can afford it is a pretty bad judge of whether you should get it. If that's the case, you'd probably do better to donate the extra money to shelters that work to get animals healthy and in loving homes.

Personally, I find 2 animals enough. Beyond that I think you start compromising the care, love, space each gets.

Prog, I agree with you if you're talking dogs, but with cats, they pretty much just let you pay attention to them once in awhile then go about their business.

 

[Lejuan]

Environmentally if they're going to be a predator to the local bird population you'd want to consider that... but if you can care for them, and want to care for them.. go for it. 5, 10, 20, who cares? Every neighbourhood needs a catlady.

 

[crows]

Depends whether you're giving each one enough time and affection.

The ability to feed an animal because you can afford it is a pretty bad judge of whether you should get it. If that's the case, you'd probably do better to donate the extra money to shelters that work to get animals healthy and in loving homes.

Personally, I find 2 animals enough. Beyond that I think you start compromising the care, love, space each gets.

so you're saying is better for the cats to be DEAD, than say, sharing affection from one person in a house with food,
interesting

Environmentally if they're going to be a predator to the local bird population you'd want to consider that... but if you can care for them, and want to care for them.. go for it. 5, 10, 20, who cares? Every neighbourhood needs a catlady.

says the man, with a Cat in his sig LOL
I was going to use this Gif but I used the other one because it made me laugh LOL

 

[Eli26]

Our city law says we can't have more than 3 cats or 3 dogs... so I guess that means I can have 3 cats and 3 dogs to a household.

Either way I have two cats and a large dog. That's plenty enough pets for me.

I look at it this way... it's only too much if it gets to the point you can't look after their well being/health, the health of your home, and yourself. Take on what you can handle, and don't go beyond that. If you truly know your boundaries/limitations, then you know the answer to that question. Unfortunately some people don't... and then there are those who do, but choose to ignore it. In the end, those are selfish ignorant people, who will only end up hurting themselves and their pets.

 

[Jen]

I agree with what most have said here...just know your limits. Cats are different than dogs and don't always require as much personal attention..and cats will let you know when they want it and go about their own business when they don't. In some ways they are easier than dogs.

I have 1 dog and couldn't imagine having another pet. I give my dog lots of attention and love and I would worry how she would feel having to share my attention with another dog. Maybe she wouldn't care at all...but it would still bother me.

 

[AllisonAmy]

We have 4 indoor cats and for us, that isn't too many. I was afraid it would be, at first. They have enough space to roam around and the kids give them more attention than they probably want. We keep their litter boxes in the garage and have a cat door going into the garage, so the smell and mess isn't that bad. I feel good about taking them in because they were all from litters born in fields near my work and their mothers were likely killed by coyotes.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[crows]

yeah i dont think 5 cats is too much, at all, I know people that have 10 cats, another coworker has 6 dogs, I mean, like most of you guys were saying, cats are different than dogs, i think 5 cats would be more than ok

 

[ProgMatinee]

10 cats. thats just gross. at what point does it become "collecting" animals rather than getting them because you truly want them.

 

[Darth Snoopy]

It's great to see that you care deeply for animals, Christina, I commend you for that!

Ween's idea of fostering animals is a good idea. The animals are cared for and when/if the time comes they go to a good home.

Just know your limits, don't go overboard and cause yourself unneeded heartache.

 

[ProgMatinee]

I have 1 dog and couldn't imagine having another pet. I give my dog lots of attention and love and I would worry how she would feel having to share my attention with another dog. Maybe she wouldn't care at all...but it would still bother me.

I had 1 dog for about 4 years and then got another from an adoption agency. The dynamic was not working at all. We ended up "returning" the other dog to the shelter (I'm sure he found a good home). Then a couple of years later we adopted another and the dynamic works really good. They play together and both get plenty of attention.

I've heard that 3 is usually a crowd with dogs. 2 end up ganging up on 1 of them a lot or 2 will fight and the other will just bark at it all.

But 2 works really well as long as they like each other.

 

[barryo]

the number of pets one should own is 3..........why 3?

because 3 is a magic number.......

 

[Nitro]

We currently have 3 cats and I am very happy with that. I know there are a lot of people who have 2x that amount, and also have dogs, etc.

Our goal in life is to take care of animals as much as we can. There are currently sibling kittens who are up for adoption that if not adopted soon, will be placed into a shelter.

A lot of times kittens can take spaces away from other cats who have been at a shelter for a while. They will put them down. Also, these siblings will likely be split up, and in the off chance they don't find homes...well you know.

It's been weighing on my mind because I know I can't save every animal. But I feel like I have this option to help, right in my face. But I'm struggling. 5 cats? That's just an insane thought. But what is supposed to be the bother? The fact that it's a number? Because the money part is no issue.

Anyone have any honest, thoughtful opinions on this? Any advice or even support will help.

I think you have your heart in the right place. If you have the space and money to add 2 more cats to the 3 that you own, then go with your gut feeling (rather than your heart). I know that you would bring love and care to those kittens. It's matter of what makes the most sense for you to do in your own personal surroundings.

The best way to take care of as many animals as you can to to lobby for "No Kill" shelters in your area. I hate the fact that defenseless domestic animals are killed everyday in shelters around the country. They are born into the world as innocent beings brought to bring people love and companionship...yet the cruelty that people bring to these animals are appalling.

 

[BuffyGirl]

Okay, so update:

I stay home full time. So our cats get all the attention in the world that they possibly can. Most pet families go to work full time. So not only do they get two great and loving parents, but they get 1 of those throughout the day. When we do go out, it's usually for dinner, or a movie, etc. We don't ever leave our boys for more than a few hours. But even if we did, they can handle it.

In other news, we may have found someone who will take 1. And taking 1 is better than them going to a shelter and being split up anyways, or possibly being in there for a long while. He's going to give us the 100% word by lunch time today. If he takes the little boy, then we're going to take the little girl. She is the runt of the litter and so cute. They are also both orange/cream. So if we do get her, she will have an orange/cream brother. Our middle one, Bailey is cream colored. Hopefully that helps the transition. Even though they will smell different.

I see a lot of outdoor cats in our neighborhood and sometimes they are limping, or I have to rush outside to break up a fight. I just can't stand to see animals hurt. I would feed them all if they weren't so afraid of humans. But I see their conditions and I would rather not have these two outside.

Anyways, that's the scoop for now. I have highly valued all of your opinions and will keep this updated.

Thank you!

 

[Mad Old Lu]

If you lived nearby I would have taken those beauties!

Seriously though, you did a good thing. And think of this: anything is better for them than living in a small cage for months at a time. With you being a foster parent while you tried to find suitable homes, you're giving them a wonderful beginning of life with lots of love, attention, care, and space!

And since you decided to keep one and found a home for the other, I think it'll work out for everyone!

My wife and I have 2 and we're always tempted to get at least one more, especially when we go to PetSmart and see all those sad kitties in their cages.