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