How do you decide when you have enough?

[sirrahved]

We have more than one church member offering us kittens. One cm has a pregnant cat now, and I could have pick of the litter when they are weaned. It's sooo tempting.

How do I decide on the right amount of animals for our house? We're already over city limits, so that's thrown out the window.

[Catty1]

Leave some spay-neuter flyers at the church, for one.

It's up to you if you want another one - but it is keeping irresponsible owners from spaying and neutering their cats.

In my email signature, I have a quote that I found on another forum:

"Those who wish to see the miracle of birth should witness the miracle or euthanasia."

It is harsh. I am a church member myself, and every pet owner I meet there is very responsible about the care of their pet, and not allowing it to reproduce.

I welcome the day when we have too FEW cats and dogs. That will be easy to fix! ;)

[jazzcat]

I know the right number of pets for my house and it's not the number I'm at which is too many. I never meant to have seven cats but Moxie and Decker just kind of happened upon us with finding them in the backyard. Thank goodness we found someone to take two of their siblings.

Before they arrived we were at five cats and although manageable I still felt like it was too many. Four would have been better for us probably but it's a mute point now.

All I know is I have to stay strong and cannot take in any more. I've promised Richard that we will not add to our numbers and that way down the road when these guys are gone I will not have more than two cats.

I still think I'd like to have a dog again some day but only if I move somewhere with more land so I can have a larger dog. I really doubt that will happen though.

[Laura's Babies]

I would always keep in the back of my mind that the city has a limit... You are over that limit... What happens to them if someone reports you having that many and you HAVE to get rid of some of them in 14 to 30 days... You need to plan on that day coming.

I would hand that church member a flyer from a local spay/neuter program and I would have to ask how she could breed when so many are PTS every single day because there are NO homes for them...ending with... do the "Christian" thing and get your cat fixed!

[catmandu]

I Have 12 Cats And Thats Enough As I Am Not 100 % In The Pink, And Might One Day Have To Go To An Apartment With Assisted Living.
Its Very Hard When I Know There Are Porchies Out There Who We Would Love, But We Do Have To Draw The Line Somewheres.
Sad To Say.

[Medusa]

Laura is right; you're already maxed out. If you've exceeded the city limit, you could face a real problem should someone decide to report you. One of the PTers got evicted from her apt. for just that very situation and is having to rehome some of her cats. I'd hate to see you have to do that. We all have soft hearts and want to rescue every cat that crosses our paths but it just isn't possible. Myself, I was comfortable at 4 but I took it to 8. Financially, it's been tough, especially when I was actively rescuing and had 27 outdoor cats that I was caring for. I don't know your age but I think about my cats outliving me since the average life span of an indoor cat is 17 1/2 years and I'm down to 7 now, the youngest of which is 3. And should one of them need major surgery, I've got to be sure I have the money set aside for it. So, there are lots of things to consider but my philosophy is "people first". Love your cats, help the ones you can and tell the people who try to pawn off their problems onto you that they need to step up to the plate and get busy and get their cats spayed and neutered. Everyone loves a little kitten but then they grow up and become cats and then suddenly no one wants them any more. They need to be responsible. Good luck. :)

[Freedom]

I think the city limit is the key factor for you.

But in another situation , i.e. MINE, where there is no limit on cats, just dogs, I know I can handle 8 cats. The few months I had 9 cats, both times, I've found it too overwhelming. The other thing is, Dad doesn't do much except play with them. (Alright, that is a big help, getting them tuckered out. :) ) But, if I get sicck, even jsut a 48 hour bug, I still ahve to haul myself up and feed them 3 times per day, scoop those boxes, and fill the water.

And as someone already mentioned, you have to plan for the emergencies and the old age illnesses. Last week, I had SIX pets taking pills and or eye drops. Today I just have 2, thank heavens. It was an all consuming hour long ordeal. Most of the pets have ended their course of treatment; Ruffles is no longer with us. And I am amazed at the amount of "free" time I have now that I am not dealing with her age issues. I am working hard not to add any more, as I am right at my limit now.

Hope all these ideas help.

[sirrahved]

Anyone know how to get ahold of city ordinances? I wanted to read exactly what it says, not just what we were told by the humane society.

I've found rather lengthy (20 pages) lists of ordinances that have to do with domestic pets, licensing, etc, but no information on pet limits at all.

[Catty1]

Call the switchboard at city hall, and they will direct you.