Obsessed with adding more cats to my cat family

I have always been a cat lady since I was a small kid. Growing up I had cat calenders, cat posters, cat notebooks, you name it. My first cat I asked for at the age of 5 after wishing on a star for a cat. That is one of my first memories haha... Thereafter I always had a cat that I took care of on my own while the rest of my family preferred dogs and considered me weird for liking them so much. Over the years I've always saved the ones I could and found them homes.

 Now I am 30. Four years ago my boyfriend and I adopted his mom's 3 year old cat. Then after a year we adopted a kitten, then another kitten to keep that kitten company. Now they are big happy boys. Three was a good sized cat family for us. But then my step-grandmother went to a nursing home and nobody would take her senior cat because he was not litter box trained and he was very malnourished and angry. So of course I took him in. Now he is very, very happy. About 8 months later two kittens were found in the barn and woods outside our home. So we took them in. I find it so amusing how they all relate and how the dynamics change with each new addition. I guess that's the biggest joy for me in my life.

My boyfriend's mom got a new kitten and when he had behavior problems we took him in. He still has behavior problems like trying to run outside at all times and he will growl for no reason and he cannot eat near any of the other cats. But then he will be the sweetest cat ever sometimes, and he gets along well with the others (except at dinner). I love him too.

Anyway I guess my reason for writing is that now it has kind of turned into an addiction for me and I think I'm filling a sort of void in my life. Because I am an artist who has lost my passion for the most part, and I spend all of my time sweet talking my cats and procrastinating. It has turned into a problem because the other day I saw an ad on craigslist for a free cat close to my house and so I went and brought it home (in my mind it was a dire situation, and he was definitely headed for the pound). And although I love this new cat I feel sort of bad about it because it may be too much. I now have 8 cats. They are all vetted and well fed and happy. But I can't stop looking at cats at the shelters or craigslist. I want to save them all. There was a cat outside of the gas station and both my boyfriend and I had to talk each other out of taking it home because it was malnourished and flea-ridden.

I don't consider myself a hoarder whatsoever, I mean I keep a clean house and my cats are well cared for. But with the last addition I feel a little bit sad and guilty about it. I spend almost all of my time with my cats, like I said they are the greatest joy in my life. But I am only 30, and I have no life outside of them.

Any thoughts? Am I crazy or is this just who I am? Everything kind of spiraled out from the first cat, and now I am thinking of my future and I need a better plan than just becoming a cat lady. But like I said I do consider them my family and now I will have 8 forever. I just want to stop needing more.

Honestly, if you can afford to feed them and vet care for each one I don't see a problem. Unfortunately, we can't save them all so don't feel guilt tripped into adopting more than you can afford as that's when people get in over their heads. I don't consider people hoarders if they can properly care for all the animals in their care.

Hoarding is a mental illness when people don't realize they are getting over their head. Just make sure you have enough money to care for the ones you have before adding another. Basic vet care is important. I have 2 cats. I can't see myself with more than 3 at a time but everyone has their personal limits. My cats are needy but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Being a cat lover isn't a sin Some people just aren't cat people... but that is their problem not yours! I don't understand how people can hate cats.. they are very awesome little animals. They're just missing out!

I get it... Don't feel bad, it comes from love and a generous heart.

Enjoy the fur babies that you have and maybe look into volunteering, maybe as a foster, for an established rescue organization in your area.

I think you are very kind to take in these kitties that needed you. [emoji]10084[/emoji]️

I think you are a wonderful person taking in these cats in need.  You do tho have to stop and talk things over with your boyfriend.  You have to sit down and set a limit that will work for both of you or you may find yourself overwhelmed. 

Eight cats is a nice family of our four legged friends and you are lucky they seem to all get along together but if you get one that causes trouble, you will have a big problem.  Just be happy with the sweet family you have and if you see a cat in need, take him/her to a no kill shelter. 

If you feel you have no life outside your kitties, take on some kind of hobby that will keep you busy.  Look deep inside yourself for that passion you had once before, get back into being the artist you once were.  You seem like an intelligent person, you can't make the cats your whole life, you need something more. 

Take one of the most colorful cats and paint them, now I think that is a very good idea

Thank you for your reply! I guess I just feel that people have a judgement towards me for having so many cats! But you're right it's their problem not mine!! :-)

Thank you for your reply and I will take your suggestion, I have been thinking about fostering. :-) :-)

I love that suggestion to paint my cats! I have been thinking of doing a comic series about them because they are so darn funny!!

re: Being an artist and losing your passion, check out a book called The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. The title is a play on the Art of War by Sun Tzu, and it essentially demystifies the creative process so you don't get stuck, bogged down, or endlessly procrastinate. I think this is important, because people just love to romanticize creative endeavors. We like to think our favorite artists, writers, musicians and designers wake up one day inspired by the muses and crank out their masterpieces 

But that's not how it happens, even for musicians. It's work. Keith Richards may have woken up from a dream with the guitar riff from "Satisfaction" in his head, but that would not -- and could not -- have happened if he hadn't put in the time learning the guitar, learning technique, refining technique, etc. Professionals put in the work, regularly and constantly, so that when the muses *do* arrive, they have the skill and knowledge to turn that inspiration into a real work of art.

As for the cats, like others have said, you can't save them all, but it sounds like you're an awesome cat mom.

KittyWinslet said:

 
I love that suggestion to paint my cats! I have been thinking of doing a comic series about them because they are so darn funny!!

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I think it is wonderful that you have taken on the care of the 8 cats who needed homes, but also good that you are aware that probably "Eight is Enough".   

And I also think that you should use your love for cats in creating your art.  And the comic series sounds like a great idea! 

Now you just have to get over your artist's block and get creating!  Good luck!

Thank you for your kind words and you are right. I haven't done art in 5 years. Well I get inspired every now and then. I used to work with people with Autism but then I had a hard time being around people for a long time and became sort of reclusive and moved to the country to save money and that's we ended up with more cats. My boyfriend is a musician and we played together in a band. It was just me and him (he writes the songs and plays 8 instruments, so I played bass and was just an addition) but then it was clash of the egos with our bandmates so we stopped playing and I lost my hope for a long time. Thank you for taking the time to reply!! Because you are right and I need to get back into the heart of things!! Here's a picture of my art <3

Miagi's_Mommy said:

Honestly, if you can afford to feed them and vet care for each one I don't see a problem. Unfortunately, we can't save them all so don't feel guilt tripped into adopting more than you can afford as that's when people get in over their heads.
... Just make sure you have enough money to care for the ones you have before adding another. Basic vet care is important.
...

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LaRussa said:

I think you are a wonderful person taking in these cats in need.  You do tho have to stop and talk things over with your boyfriend.  You have to sit down and set a limit that will work for both of you or you may find yourself overwhelmed. 

Eight cats is a nice family of our four legged friends and you are lucky they seem to all get along together but if you get one that causes trouble, you will have a big problem.  Just be happy with the sweet family you have and if you see a cat in need, take him/her to a no kill shelter. ...

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KittyWinslet said:

Thank you for your reply! I guess I just feel that people have a judgement towards me for having so many cats! ...

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I'm just separating out the above sections to emphasize my thoughts as well... that is, taking good care of the ones you have, all throughout their forever time with you, is what I think you need to make sure will happen, in my view. I am glad you have saved 8 cats. However, unexpected things can happen in a person's life, and you never know if something will happen to you that might prevent the cats from being well taken care of ... now, next week, or years down the road. Jobs, health, moves, etc. The cats will get used to each other's company the longer they are with each other, so if something occurs which prevents you or your boyfriend from keeping them, it will be hard [on them & you] to split them up (place them elsewhere). Don't take on more than you can handle... remember to place their needs above your wants (snip: "...now it has kind of turned into an addiction for me and I think I'm filling a sort of void in my life." ... "I just want to stop needing more.")
Good luck!

Yes I know you are right but I would do anything and everything to keep them together because they are so special and they love each other. But I know you are right that unexpected things can happen so I just try to hope for the best. I am thankful that my boyfriend also sees them as more than just animals, we spend a lot of time with them. But things are uncertain sometimes.

Ten years ago when I first adopted Mooch and Noodles I used to say that I wanted 6 cats and 2 dogs.  Boy has that changed!  I mean I still love every cat I meet; but my life has changed.  Mooch and Noodles are litter mates.  In the last year I've spent a lot of time at the vet with both of them having health issues.  Both needed testing, both are on daily medications, Noodles had an emergency vet visit when her heart started to fail, Mooch had blood work done multiple times.  I've had stress over getting them to eat.  They are on the young side for these health issues; but they have them.  I can't imagine having 6 senior cats on meds, special diets and having frequent vet visits.  Ten years ago DH and I were younger, both working and had no children.  We know we are at our limit with cats.  (DH is also allergic to cats and dogs.)  We might be able to add a dog in the future; but not until our kids are old enough to help with the responsibilities.  Even then I'm not sure.  I'm afraid I would have been overwhelmed with that many cats and dogs when the kids were tiny babies.  I wouldn't have been able to give them enough attention.  

Of course we can't know what the future holds for us or or pets.  Some live to 20 without any big health issues.  Some start them young.  I just know that having a larger number of cats would limit the quality of care I could provide in case of illnesses. The emergency vet quote for all they recommended was in the THOUSANDS.  I have to be realistic with myself.  I've known since Noodles was young that she had a heart murmur; so in the back of my mind I knew she might need some extra care at some point.  I also know now that she should not be put under the stress of having more pets in the house; cat or dog. 

There are ways to help cats without taking them in or fostering.  Sponsoring a cat at a shelter is a good idea.  Helping with fundraisers for shelters or TNR projects are a good idea and maybe something you can put you art talent into too.    

KittyWinslet said:

Thank you for your kind words and you are right. I haven't done art in 5 years. Well I get inspired every now and then. I used to work with people with Autism but then I had a hard time being around people for a long time and became sort of reclusive and moved to the country to save money and that's we ended up with more cats. My boyfriend is a musician and we played together in a band. It was just me and him (he writes the songs and plays 8 instruments, so I played bass and was just an addition) but then it was clash of the egos with our bandmates so we stopped playing and I lost my hope for a long time. Thank you for taking the time to reply!! Because you are right and I need to get back into the heart of things!! Here's a picture of my art <3

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That's cute.  I think you should draw caricatures of all your cats and work on that comic series.  Who knows, you may come up with the next Grumpy Cat-like sensation!    If nothing else, it will get your rusty creative mind back humming again.

I have Bella,Thunder,and Baby and would love to have a Persian but 3 is my limit for now.