Does the "I want to save them all" complex ever go away?

Just look around here... it never goes away, some just learn to ignore it better than others. Three years ago my daughter found our first cat... now they have increased to 5... not counting the 4 ferals living on my deck! I am trying to stick to my "No more" statement, but I cannot be trusted!!

Goodluck!

I don't think it ever goes away . A true cat lover to the core, Supercatwoman !! . My heart always breaks seeing all of the unwanted cats living their lives out in the shelters. So many ...... I now have six. I always said five was my limit. But I honestly think that I would always try to find room for one more, my heart just couldn't turn them away. You do have to have your limits. I have two older dogs too right now. One with failing health. I think someday, when they are both passed to the bridge, and I hope that is FAR away , they are thirteen, that I could take in another cat if it came to me as my other's have. They always seem to find a way into my heart .

I feel the same way! Breaks my heart to see them all in shelters. Luckily where I live most shelters are no kill. The bigger ones do put "unadoptable" cats down...I try not to think about that though. I think I could manage a third cat but I'm also faced with those pet policies. My bf said I can have another cat when we get our own place. I also want a dog and so does he. I think I'll try volunteering and donating to lessen my desire to get another kitty for awhile anyway.

It doesn't go away. We have six right now. Two we intended to adopt. Two were fosters that just couldn't go back to the shelter. And two are fosters we are hoping to get well enough to go back while their still in the cute-as-a-bug stage.

This is what many guys struggle with for life when going to night clubs. Helps to remind myself that the reality of having so many wouldn't likely be as wonderful as it is in my idealistic imagination.

Honestly though, two cats is enough work and expense for me. Can't even play one of my new favorite video games World of Tanks online w/ buddies w/o Wesley or Buttercup jumping up and getting in my way so I can't see the screen or squishing all the keys on my keyboard down with their tootsies!

If that doesn't help, you can always learn to sing the "I want to hug every cat" song.

This is why I never ever look at shelter pages or petfinder. If I saw one that I HAVE to have, I wouldn't be able to stop myself... And I can't have any more than one right now.

Like you said, I keep thinking 'I saved this one from being PTS, opened up a cage space for one, and saved enough food for two. ()'

I am at my limit, that said, I seriously doubt I could turn away a kitty in need.

Another thing that doesn't go away is the disgust for people who don't take care of their animals. You don't have to deal with very many elderly cats brought in by the kids when the folks died, or obviously abused animals, or (as happened to me yesterday), pick up a freshly killed animal out of the street, before you begin to like animals more and people less.

It's never gone away for me. And I hope it never does, even though it breaks my heart. I think those awful people who don't care have it much easier. Not fair.

No, the desire to save them all never goes away. At least, for me, that hasn't been the case. I have always wanted to save them all. And, maybe, in the past, I've felt the need to act on those feelings. But, I've come to the realization that I cannot save every cat (dog, bird, small animal, reptile) and that I need to be constantly vigilant that I do not get over my head.

I do occasionally look at Petfinder and the local humane society's website. And, the fact that I work in a veterinary office means that I come into contact with a lot of people who are looking to rehome their animals. And, to piggyback on what MrBlanche said, I also see cases of abuse and neglect. It's painfully difficult not to want to rescue the ones in need. But, I have to remember that if I were to do that, I would be putting those that I have at risk. That being said, I do help when and where I can -- while I may not be able to bring them into my home, I donate to shelters and organizations that can help pets in need and also work with agencies that foster, sponsor cage space at the humane society, and bring food, toys, and other supplies to shelters. So, there is always work to be done.

I'd love to save them all. And, if I had the financial means and the space, I would likely be quick to take in others. Or, at the very least, foster. But, there are many ways I can help without scanning websites and looking on Craigslist. I have a responsibility to other cats and animals, but, my primary responsibility is to the pets I have at home and those I work with at the vet clinic. As long as I remember that, I can keep everything in perspective. Will the desire go away? No. But, I'm confident in knowing what I can and cannot do. And, it sounds as though you feel the same way.

I said I had reached my limit at three and look at me now! All but one are rescues or strays, and Cinders was my mother's cat who would have gone to the shelter if I had not taken her. But I know now that I really cannot take any more and look after them properly, which is why I foster kittens from time to time - at least that way I can still help a few lost souls.

I always want to help just.one.more. The desire is there, however, I've come to the realization that I just can't save them all. If people would spay/neuter, I wouldn't constantly be put in the position to tell people that I can't take their pet. Wouldn't constantly be working to find homes for animals that others don't want. I'm doing all I can and it still isn't enough but I have to know that as long as attitudes about pets are what they are, it will continue. So now, I work hard to change perceptions of animals as disposable property, get people to understand the importance of fixing their animals and take exceptional care of the ones I've rescued already.

Look where feeling bad for a kitty at the shelter, taking them home to foster & get adoptable has gotten me? I have 13 cats, and yes, it's far from ideal. They get their vet care (S/N/, vaccines, exams, treatment, etc), but is still far too many, even for my huge house. Several were fosters who were deemed "unadoptable" so I either euthanized them or kept them.

But I can still list over a dozen cats at the shelter I'd LOVE to adopt. It's hard when one I love get euthanized. It's been 7 years now (I think?) I've been volunteering, and no - that "I want to save them all" hasn't gone away.

I wish we could save every cat. It's impossible.

When Tabby came to our neighbors and I brought her home, Rick kept telling me, "Pam, we can't save them all. We can't." And I kept saying, "I know that. But we can save THIS one! What else can we do??"

We all do what we can.