This may be an unpopular subject, but it's something that I really would like to discuss here.
How does one know when their good intentions surrounding pets turn into a hoarding situation?
I have four cats, two dogs, a cockatiel, and a betta fish. I have had other pets in my home including small animals who have now passed. But, currently, I am not looking to open my home to any other small animals and feel confident that, aside from the possible addition of another betta fish or aquatic frog in the future, I have the perfect number of pets for me in my household. So, how did I decide that the animals I currently have under my care are enough?
I live in a large modified 2-family home. My roommate and I live together, but have our own separate living areas. She has her own pets and I have mine. Aside from the dogs, none of the other pets cohabitate together. I have quite a lot of space for my pets and there is no crowding. However, that being said, I don't think that space is necessarily an indicator of how many is too many (there are members here with multiple cats in a relatively small space, but those cats are in a wonderful, loving, and caring environment -- that is not what I'm getting at). Financially, after being unemployed for a couple of months, I am feeling the burn. But, I am able to more than provide for myself and my pets. I do think that finances are important when considering how many pets to have in the home, but I don't think it's the only concern. More than anything, I think that time (the ability to clean regularly and provide a healthy environment for the humans and pets in the home alike) as well as emotional stability (the ability to be present for both yourself and the pets in the home) are what should decide the number of pets in the home...along with the financial responsibility and the ability to house all of the animals and yourself comfortably (this differs from person to person).
I'm having trouble wording this properly, so please bear with me. I hope I'm making sense here. Please keep in mind that this is not meant as an attack on anyone, I'm just trying to have an open, respectful discussion...
I think, as animal lovers, we'd all like to save the neighborhood cats and the pets in the shelters who possibly await euthanasia. And, in many instances, we can do a lot in our communities to work with animals in need. There are many members here who foster and many others who have fostered, but who have adopted their fosters and can no longer take others in without infringing on the well-being of the others. We have members here who do TNR and who volunteer at shelters. I'm sure there are others too who support local shelters monetarily. These are not the situations that concern me. But, what about the individuals who take in every stray or feral cat, but who don't find them homes? What about the ones who take in pregnant females, but never place the kittens and have a continual cycle of new kittens? Eventually, their numbers rise and it makes me wonder what the quality of life is for all of the animals under their care. And, that's not mentioning what the quality of life is for the individual or their family. What about those who don't have the financial means to care for all of those animals and, therefore, they go without proper medical care? What about the cats that are fed less than because the owner has accumulated too many? There are other situations as well that make me wonder, but the issue is that every situation is different. How does one determine when too much is too much? And, as a cat lover myself, how can I not be concerned when I read of a member that has, what appears to me, and as exorbitant number of cats? I'm not pointing fingers at anyone here on the forum, but these are questions and concerns that I have.
All of my animals eat quality pet food (and, by quality, I don't necessarily mean expensive -- they eat what works for me budget-wise and what they need in order to be healthy) and receive both preventative and emergency vet care. I have time to clean their litter pans as well as the house and provide a safe living space for both myself and them. I have the ability to give them all individualized attention and meet their needs -- not just physically, but emotionally as well. I know when one of my pets is unwell and I can be conscious about what is going on in my home. I know there are many people who can have many more pets than I do in the home and still provide the same level of care. But, there are others who I don't think can manage the pets that they have. We read about them in the health forums and we see patterns arise throughout the rest of the site. I don't want to cause trouble or open a can of worms, but I can't pretend that it doesn't worry me when I read or see (in my community as well) some troubling things.
What is your opinion on this situation? How does one know when there is one too many? Again, I'm not pointing fingers at anyone and don't harbor any ill feelings for anybody on this website. I'm just merely opening this up for a discussion.
I hope I'm not coming off as rude or holier than thou. I certainly do not feel that way. But, I think sometimes the fine line between pet ownership and hoarding blurs and I would like to know others' opinions or experiences on the matter.
How does one know when their good intentions surrounding pets turn into a hoarding situation?
I have four cats, two dogs, a cockatiel, and a betta fish. I have had other pets in my home including small animals who have now passed. But, currently, I am not looking to open my home to any other small animals and feel confident that, aside from the possible addition of another betta fish or aquatic frog in the future, I have the perfect number of pets for me in my household. So, how did I decide that the animals I currently have under my care are enough?
I live in a large modified 2-family home. My roommate and I live together, but have our own separate living areas. She has her own pets and I have mine. Aside from the dogs, none of the other pets cohabitate together. I have quite a lot of space for my pets and there is no crowding. However, that being said, I don't think that space is necessarily an indicator of how many is too many (there are members here with multiple cats in a relatively small space, but those cats are in a wonderful, loving, and caring environment -- that is not what I'm getting at). Financially, after being unemployed for a couple of months, I am feeling the burn. But, I am able to more than provide for myself and my pets. I do think that finances are important when considering how many pets to have in the home, but I don't think it's the only concern. More than anything, I think that time (the ability to clean regularly and provide a healthy environment for the humans and pets in the home alike) as well as emotional stability (the ability to be present for both yourself and the pets in the home) are what should decide the number of pets in the home...along with the financial responsibility and the ability to house all of the animals and yourself comfortably (this differs from person to person).
I'm having trouble wording this properly, so please bear with me. I hope I'm making sense here. Please keep in mind that this is not meant as an attack on anyone, I'm just trying to have an open, respectful discussion...
I think, as animal lovers, we'd all like to save the neighborhood cats and the pets in the shelters who possibly await euthanasia. And, in many instances, we can do a lot in our communities to work with animals in need. There are many members here who foster and many others who have fostered, but who have adopted their fosters and can no longer take others in without infringing on the well-being of the others. We have members here who do TNR and who volunteer at shelters. I'm sure there are others too who support local shelters monetarily. These are not the situations that concern me. But, what about the individuals who take in every stray or feral cat, but who don't find them homes? What about the ones who take in pregnant females, but never place the kittens and have a continual cycle of new kittens? Eventually, their numbers rise and it makes me wonder what the quality of life is for all of the animals under their care. And, that's not mentioning what the quality of life is for the individual or their family. What about those who don't have the financial means to care for all of those animals and, therefore, they go without proper medical care? What about the cats that are fed less than because the owner has accumulated too many? There are other situations as well that make me wonder, but the issue is that every situation is different. How does one determine when too much is too much? And, as a cat lover myself, how can I not be concerned when I read of a member that has, what appears to me, and as exorbitant number of cats? I'm not pointing fingers at anyone here on the forum, but these are questions and concerns that I have.
All of my animals eat quality pet food (and, by quality, I don't necessarily mean expensive -- they eat what works for me budget-wise and what they need in order to be healthy) and receive both preventative and emergency vet care. I have time to clean their litter pans as well as the house and provide a safe living space for both myself and them. I have the ability to give them all individualized attention and meet their needs -- not just physically, but emotionally as well. I know when one of my pets is unwell and I can be conscious about what is going on in my home. I know there are many people who can have many more pets than I do in the home and still provide the same level of care. But, there are others who I don't think can manage the pets that they have. We read about them in the health forums and we see patterns arise throughout the rest of the site. I don't want to cause trouble or open a can of worms, but I can't pretend that it doesn't worry me when I read or see (in my community as well) some troubling things.
What is your opinion on this situation? How does one know when there is one too many? Again, I'm not pointing fingers at anyone and don't harbor any ill feelings for anybody on this website. I'm just merely opening this up for a discussion.
I hope I'm not coming off as rude or holier than thou. I certainly do not feel that way. But, I think sometimes the fine line between pet ownership and hoarding blurs and I would like to know others' opinions or experiences on the matter.