Question please - need opinions/options!

[jenluckenbach]

Of course I do not think 8 cats is crazy (now 17, that is probably right on the edge of insanity )

But let's ask this.....since you rent, how does the landlord feel about that number? What would happen if you needed to move? (this was always my biggest fear when we rented)

As far as the size of your home, sounds fine to me. I had 6 cats in a 1 bedroom appartment, so 8 cats in a 3 bedroom sounds luxurious.

So go with your heart. Some people are going to think TWO is too many, so don't even consider what they think.

[orangemm]

So go with your heart. Some people are going to think TWO is too many, so don't even consider what they think.

What Jen said.

We have had as many as 7 cats in our household; it was a lot of work, but they all got along and our house was clean and orderly, plus it was a lot of fun!

My husband built a kitty condo and huge scratching post for them, so they were always entertained; they had plenty of company when we were at work and spats were at a minimum.

I'm sure it's heart-wrenching to adopt them out, particularly when you've raised them this far.

So "go with your heart".

[Catlady711]

Thank you all for your support, comments and compliments!!!

The surprising part of all this is that my husband has been totally supportive of it and he told me after the other two kittens left for their new home that he couldn't believe I let them go.

You are a very lucky wife! My hubby thinks 4 cats is too many, but then again it was HIM that found Cami (#5) and called to me in the house and said 'honey, there's a cat out here and she looks hungry, bring out some food.' He also named her....Cami-flage because of her coloring. ROFL But basically he doesn't do well when the cats act like...well....cats! They sometimes irritate him when they're underfoot, and when they do things that they're not supposed to do but do anyways.

But let's ask this.....since you rent, how does the landlord feel about that number? What would happen if you needed to move? (this was always my biggest fear when we rented)

Well that actually is a concern here. Back when we thought we'd have to move (ended up not needing to) we only had 4 cats then and a horrible time finding a place big enough, that would even accept pets (let alone 4), that we could afford. As far as the landlord goes.....well.... When we moved in we only had Dusty and he didn't have any problems with that. We never actually asked him before adding any of the others. However he's been here when we've had just the 4 and never said a word, and the cats don't damage the house in any way. However hubby did bring up the point that our landlord doesn't know how many we do have.

Another concern is if I didn't work where I do (not that it looks like I'd lose my job anytime soon, but no guarantees in life). I do get ALOT of discounts on medical stuff and that does play a major factor in being able to keep all the cats current on their vaccinations (Distemper, Leukemia, Rabies, FIP) plus the spays/neuters. I get discounts on the food also as I feed them all Science Diet, not some off brand stuff, prior to this we were feeding Iams without having a discount.

We have had as many as 7 cats in our household; it was a lot of work, but they all got along and our house was clean and orderly, plus it was a lot of fun!

Yes taking care of the 8, particularly when the kittens needed 4 hour round the clock feedings, IS alot of work, however it doesn't seem all that bad to me most of the time, and rather rewarding at times.

My house isn't always 'neat and orderly' regardless of the number of cats, I'm not exactly Martha Stewart and both of us are pack rats to boot. It's cluttered at times, and sometimes I don't always get the pet hair vacuumed up as often as I should, the 6 sandboxes are kept reasonably clean (I could always do better in that dept. though) but my house doesn't stink even to non cat owners that visit, my light colored carpets are shampoo'd twice a year, and if someone vomits I have a spray to keep the stains out until the next shampooing. I try to spend time with each cat every day playing/petting etc, some days one more than the others, but I rotate who gets the most attention based on who's wanting/needing it.

I'm sure it's heart-wrenching to adopt them out, particularly when you've raised them this far.

YES! Between the three though my favs are (in order) Josh, Sassy, Sabrina. Mostly because Josh had so many problems with his 'wee wee' in the begining and was the smallest at the time, and Sassy got so thin when bucking the weaning from the bottle. I worried more over those two, so I guess I got more attatched to them, but I'd feel bad separating the sisters as they spend alot of time together.

I want to do the right thing for the cats and not just myself. I don't want to get myself into a position where I can't take care of the cats in the manner I think they should be taken care of.

Thank you again for your thoughts and comments. It will give me something to think about, and pray about.

[catmandu]

For sme Cta People 1 is too many, for some 7 0r 8 is fine.
You sound like a Good Guardian who knows what the costs of taking in New Faces would be, There are 12 Found Cats, and when the Vet came there were 3 who got away, that I simply cannot catch.
I had John in a carrier but he went ballistic and I had to let him out before he hurt himself.
He and Rocca have not had shots in two years.
Right now 12 is the limit due to age budget and infirmity.
We hope that you can help as many as possible without taking in too many.

[Freedom]

I think it is good that you are recognizing that you are or may be at your limit.

I had 4 cats in a 2 bedroom apartment, without the landlord's OK. It wasn't "crowded" until my Dad moved in, ha ha ha! The landlord was a big company, and that was always a worry for me. So in terms of size, I think your home is big enough for 7 or 8.

Sounds as though you have looked at all aspects - emotional support for all of them, time, finances, living situation. You are not just working on impulse, and that is important to keep in mind. You ARE thinking this through. Good for you.