Too many pets?

[Chilli]

For dogs, I know four is our limit. =] I'd much rather keep the number at 2-3, though.

Overall limit, I know we could handle more, but I really don't want to go past having 3 cats at a time. And we have plenty time, room, and money for our birds, fish, & rodents. Basically, I know when we've reached our limit, and we're not at it yet. Nor are we going to go out seeking many new family members, either.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

We have 5 pets- 3 dogs and 2 cats, which feels like the limit for our space/resources. We live in a smallish house, but we do have a nice big fenced in yard. If we had a bigger house I would consider getting a 3rd cat but I think 3 dogs is plenty for me.

[BC_MoM]

I will never have more than 2 at a time. Mickey really is a only-dog home dog. He likes to be the center of attention and feels very left out with other dogs here.

[Freedom]

I think the answer will vary from person to person with some of the factors including:
- financial resources, keeping in mind that as the animal ages, the expenses "could" go up.
- emotional resources
- size of property
- time available (working one job, working and going to school, working from home)
- local laws.

My city limits you to 3 dogs. Beyond that, you have to get a kennel license and have certain kennel facilities. Some surrounding cities don't have that limit. We have no limit for cats, in this city. Two cities over, they did put in a limit for cats.

My personal limit, I think I am just about there. I intended to stop at 6 cats and then tried fostering. Discovered that is not a talent / skill I am capable of handling. If the animal steps into my home, I am going to love it and keep it, ha ha ha. So I kept Ebony - and love her to pieces! - but I know I can't take on more.

I got a bit of a wake up call 2 weeks ago, shortly after Sugar arrived. Sugar was taking antihistamines twice per day; having eye drops three times per day in both eyes and eye gel twice per day in one eye; Vita developed a URI and needed ears drops twice per day and antibiotics twice per day; Ruffles developed hyperactive thyroid and needed extra feedings and a pill each morning, and monitoring to see if the dose was working. (I had all 3 to the vet in 48 hours, whew!) AND, in case you aren't familiar, I am taking care of my 80 year old Dad who thinks he is still 40; he takes 11 pills per day and 4 insulin shots per day, and a B12 shot once per week. I felt like I had a pharmacy going, half the kitchen table was covered! And I worried about giving someone the wrong meds. All that, I was feeling fine; no cold, flu, no sore muscles from overdoing it, etc. So I need to keep all this in mind when I look at another homeless one. Can I really do it justice?

Just my thoughts on this topic!
Sandra