Quote Originally Posted by Freedom View Post
My thoughts (beyond the YIKES of many others, lol!) --

1. most of us with multiple indoor cats don't have collars and ID tags on them. I did get all that and USED it when I had the kitchen renovation going on, as escapes were a higher possibility. Didn't happen, thank goodness. But I wonder if the person with 23 needs to have collars and IDs on for YOUR benefit and her cats' safety. Not for escapes -- you won't let that happen, you are a cat person. But if some issue arises and you need to get one to the vet, can you match a cat to a photo book with 23 pics? Also for her cats' comfort, as with the friendlier ones you will be able to address them by name as you cuddle them.

2. I like the photo book idea, don't get me wrong. Cats who aren't used to wearing collars do get them off quickly. (Tommy and Tuppence declined to wear theirs at all the entire 6 weeks of my renovation. ) Having a listing of the cats, any food or meds issues listed, it great, and a photo in case the collar comes off.

3. Don't need to tell you, with that many, are there any who don't get along with each other? Does she allow all the run of the house, or do 6 stay upstairs, 9 stay downstairs, several in the cellar. You get the idea.

4. How many litter boxes does she have? YOWSER!! I have 8 boxes and it takes me 15 minutes to scoop (alright so I am playing with cats as I go. And everyone seems to need to use THE BOX I am scooping which slows me down.) You will need to build in enough time for your daily visit.

Not sure what more to add. Be sure to let us know how it goes!
She has some on one floor, some on another and some in the basement, so apparently there are issues w/them getting along w/each other. I'll meet w/her next week. I told her that I can't give her a definitive answer until we meet and I see what her set up is, how her cats take to me, etc. Once I see what's really going on, I'll have a better idea. My rescue friend did tell me, though, that in rescue circles, 23 cats is not uncommon; some have more. I assume, though, that they also have help w/taking care of so many so to ask me, one person, to take care of all of them is a bit of a stretch but I won't make any judgments until I see for myself.

I have 10 litter boxes and it takes me a good 15 minutes to clean them, too. So I figure that I'll also either have to charge her extra so buy litter because she'll be gone for 6 weeks or she'll have to really stock up before she leaves. Same w/cat food. If I'm going to be running to the store for supplies, I'll need to be compensated for gas and time but, hopefully, she'll have planned ahead and will have enough of everything.