Cat Limit

mystery250

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I know there is a limit to how many cats you are allowed to have in most areas.

Do you think that someone could help me find this limit for Savannah, Georgia, or Chatham County?

We currently have "too many", and my brother will not let us get them adopted out, or take them to save a life, as he wants all of them to stay in the house all of the time.

Could someone look this up for me?

Thanks,

Stephen
 

valanhb

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Most cities and counties have their codes online, and if they don't the answer is just a phone call away. Call the local animal control or rescue organization and they should know it easily.
 
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mystery250

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By "Limit" I mean:

Most cities have a "limit" of how many of a specific breed, and a limit of total animals (cats/dogs) you can have in one household/house.

I saw the limit for cats on the news somewhere for Chatham county, however I cannot find it online..

Stephen
 

beckiboo

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I don't know about limits in your area, but I guess the fact that you are checking shows that you are concerned about the numbers.

Are you living in the same home as your brother and the cats? Are the cats spayed and neutered, so they aren't reproducing further? Does he take good care of the animals?

Sometimes, families just disagree on how many pets is the right number. However, if there is any concern that he could be hoarding cats, you may need to get very involved.

Hoarding is more of a sign of mental illness, like OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.) Of course, TCS is a very cat friendly site, and I myself was up to 11 cats recently, as a foster Mom. Now I'm down to 3, because that seems to be my maximum to provide good care.

Others here have less, and some have more. I know of someone in foster care who has about 80, but honestly, she is basically running a shelter in her home. I wouldn't recommend that for most people.

I'm not trying to judge you or your brother, just trying to find more info. I know some people with multiple cats who refuse to adopt any out, and it is because they are all considered pets. Much of the issue comes down to how adequate is the care provided? Are litter boxes clean, and is food and clean water provided? Is he able to provide vet care?
 

katachtig

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I found the following two links See section 22.142 which states :
§22-142 Limitation on Cats.
No person who is the owner or custodian of any single family
residence shall have greater than eight (8) cats, unless all
animals are permanently confined to the actual living space of the
family residence. The owner or custodian in violation must also be
in compliance with Chatham County provisions as stated in this
chapter. This prohibition shall not include any cat that has a
litter less than four months of age which will be confined to the
actual living space of the family residence.

Also, here is a link for the fees

I think Beckiboo has probably the best advice. We see people on the boards with a dozen or more cats who have no problems and others who add a 4th cat and find themselves over their limit.
Originally Posted by Beckiboo

Much of the issue comes down to how adequate is the care provided? Are litter boxes clean, and is food and clean water provided? Is he able to provide vet care?
 
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mystery250

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He doesn't do anything. My mother and I have to do everything for the cats.

Only one is spayed, and that is the one we have had for ten years.

The rest haven't beed fixed. They are multiplying, as one cat just had five more kittens last night, and another female had babies about a month ago.

There are just too many of them.

We can provide adequate care, however he is unwilling to do anything for them, and it is much too expensive as we are basiclaly living off of Food stamps and one low paying job.

I am unable to afford anything for them myself, due to physical issues (trying to get SSI...) so my mother has to pay for everything for the cats.

---

Update: She is going to try to sneak some of them off to the pound tonight, there's not much else we can afford to do, even though I am anti-pound, and would rather take them to save-a-live.

Save a life has to have them each tested, then charges $20 though.

I have no idea what his reaction is going to be when he notices a few of them gone, and I really don't even want to imagine what it will be.

We are not going to tell him that my mother took them, as it would make his well let's just say "very angry".

Stephen



Originally Posted by Beckiboo

I don't know about limits in your area, but I guess the fact that you are checking shows that you are concerned about the numbers.

Are you living in the same home as your brother and the cats? Are the cats spayed and neutered, so they aren't reproducing further? Does he take good care of the animals?

Sometimes, families just disagree on how many pets is the right number. However, if there is any concern that he could be hoarding cats, you may need to get very involved.

Hoarding is more of a sign of mental illness, like OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.) Of course, TCS is a very cat friendly site, and I myself was up to 11 cats recently, as a foster Mom. Now I'm down to 3, because that seems to be my maximum to provide good care.

Others here have less, and some have more. I know of someone in foster care who has about 80, but honestly, she is basically running a shelter in her home. I wouldn't recommend that for most people.

I'm not trying to judge you or your brother, just trying to find more info. I know some people with multiple cats who refuse to adopt any out, and it is because they are all considered pets. Much of the issue comes down to how adequate is the care provided? Are litter boxes clean, and is food and clean water provided? Is he able to provide vet care?
 
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mystery250

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In fact, he does have OCD, even though he's never been diagnosed, due to he will not go to a psychologist.

Stephen
 

muttigreemom

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Originally Posted by Beckiboo

Much of the issue comes down to how adequate is the care provided? Are litter boxes clean, and is food and clean water provided? Is he able to provide vet care?


I know cities set certain limits, but unless someone causes a problem or is deemed a hoarder, I've never seen anyone actually check up on it. But in your case, if he does have OCD and is unwilling to provide care for them - especially since you've said most are unspayed/neutered - that's a problem.
 

katachtig

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Stephen,

You and your family are in my prayers. You have a difficult situation and I hope you find a way to help your brother and his cats. Thanks for caring enough to find a solution with your limited means.
 

beckiboo

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Hopefully you can find a cat rescue to give them to, so you will be sure they will find good homes. If you look up Petfinder in your area, you will see lots of rescues listed.

If he has OCD, he may never be able to give any cats up without starting treatment/medications. So for his sake, and yours, and the kitties, I'd say you are right to rehome some of them. May I suggest you try to get rid of the females, since they are the ones reproducing. As I'm sure you are seeing, the problem just gets bigger and bigger if not addressed.

Sounds like you are in difficult circumstances. I wish you, your family and the kitties only the best. Thank you for caring enough to do what will be very hard!
 

ashleyjade

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I hate to suggest this, but call the local SPCA, and tell them about your brother. I am sure they would be willing to help. They are worried about the animal's welfare, and it sounds like you love your animals, but dont have the means to care for them properly.

-Jade
 
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mystery250

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My mother took four to the pound earlier tonight.. We simplyhave too many, and every place that will take cats, and does not euthanize them is full of cats.

The pound in a neighbouring county will take them for us, and give them several weeks to get adopted, which is the best we can hope for I suppose.

One cat just had another litter(5) kittens the other day, and one of the poor kittens stomach has popped out right around it's umbilical cord. I don't know if that one will survive or not.

We'll probably keep the litter until it's about six weeks old, then see if save-a-life will take the kitten and the mother, as you only have to have one of them tested if it's a litter.

Stephen
 

beckiboo

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If you handle the kittens, and tame them, they will be more adoptable. Sounds like the one has a hernia. Maybe he should go to the pound, too, if he is in pain. They can at least end his life peacefully!

If you go look at the feral forum, you could contact (pm) someone who lives near you who is working in rescue. I know my rescue is short of kittens right now, and would gladly take a Mom with kittens, and foster them until they are old enough to adopt out. (I'm in NW Illinios).
 
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