How many pets is too many?

13

Replies

  • JohnMessmer
    JohnMessmer Posts: 536
    I don't think you are worried or upset at all about the number of people and pets living there, or the condition they live in. I think you are upset because they owe you money and "you" think they can not afford the animals since they have not repaid "you". Unfortunately, people often spend money as they see it and not how others would prefer they do so. There is an old saying that goes along the lines of ...if a friend borrows $20 and you never see them again, it was $20 well spent. Life is to short to worry about what others are doing in their house or why they have not repaid a debt to you. Move on, if they pay you back, then YAY; if not, well at least you will never have to loan them money again (at least not that you should expect to get back).
  • BogQueen1
    BogQueen1 Posts: 320 Member
    A flatcoat retriever/border collie mix (about 65 lbs) and a chiuahua and a pomeranian mix.

    And let me guess. The Chihuahua is the non pottytrained one. Stupid little rat dogs, I've never run across one that actually 'figured it out' that potty goes outside, not in the corner right when you get back in.
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    I don't think you are worried or upset at all about the number of people and pets living there, or the condition they live in. I think you are upset because they owe you money and "you" think they can not afford the animals since they have not repaid "you". Unfortunately, people often spend money as they see it and not how others would prefer they do so. There is an old saying that goes along the lines of ...if a friend borrows $20 and you never see them again, it was $20 well spent. Life is to short to worry about what others are doing in their house or why they have not repaid a debt to you. Move on, if they pay you back, then YAY; if not, well at least you will never have to loan them money again (at least not that you should expect to get back).

    You make some valid points, but at the same time, I was simply bringing up a topic that I thought might garner some interesting responses. For example, I had not considered the city pet limits.
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    A flatcoat retriever/border collie mix (about 65 lbs) and a chiuahua and a pomeranian mix.

    And let me guess. The Chihuahua is the non pottytrained one. Stupid little rat dogs, I've never run across one that actually 'figured it out' that potty goes outside, not in the corner right when you get back in.

    You are correct! 100 points to you!
  • mattagascar
    mattagascar Posts: 708 Member
    However many "pets" it takes.
  • bgeer34
    bgeer34 Posts: 135 Member
    A flatcoat retriever/border collie mix (about 65 lbs) and a chiuahua and a pomeranian mix.

    I don't want to guess what is "too many" as I am sure it's different for everyone... but it's not fair to the collie mix to be in a small apartment. We have a border collie and they need lots of room to run and they need lots of exercise and attention. Being in a small apartment with only 1 or 2 humans would be too much for our guy to get what he needs...
  • thelaurameister
    thelaurameister Posts: 689 Member
    As long as you have adequate resources to keep the pets healthy and happy, then it's your choice. Just don't put yourself and animals in a dangerous environment by having over crowding.

    I'm currently living with my parents in their 3 bed/2.5 bathroom house with a basement. My boyfriend and I have 2 cats, my parents have 2 cats, and we're "cat sitting" my sister-in-laws 2 cats while her and her husband try to find a permanent place to live so the cats aren't stressed by having to move every month or so. They are all happy and healthy. Some people might see 6 cats under one roof as excessive, but I am able to feed them top of the line food and I make sure the litter box is cleaned daily. It's all a matter of how dedicated you are to caring for your animals.
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    I don't want to guess what is "too many" as I am sure it's different for everyone... but it's not fair to the collie mix to be in a small apartment. We have a border collie and they need lots of room to run and they need lots of exercise and attention. Being in a small apartment with only 1 or 2 humans would be too much for our guy to get what he needs...

    Yes, I worry about that as well. She seems happy but I know she has a ton of pent up energy.
  • Midnight_Sunshine
    Midnight_Sunshine Posts: 369 Member
    Pets outnumber people in my family.

    It's probably a bit excessive, but I've no problem taking care of the herd and the herd does a pretty good job of taking care of me.

    I love you.
  • kimosabe1
    kimosabe1 Posts: 2,467 Member
    over 3 is to many because your house starts to stink. Yeah, u probably can't smell it but do u want people in your house saying it reeks after u leave and u won't know? Just something to think about.......
  • footiechick82
    footiechick82 Posts: 1,203 Member
    If I had unlimited funds, I'd buy acres of land, build a complex, and adopt every single animal from all the shelters. I'd hire care-takers, people to play with them, etc.

    Back to reality, when you can't take care of them = too many.

    I'd do the same... with pitties... all the sheleter pitties I could get to re habilitate them and love them and just stare at how adorable and amazingly beautiful they are :D

    But I think that's a bit much for a 2 bedroom apt :/
  • SuperSophie73
    SuperSophie73 Posts: 5 Member
    I have 3 cats and 2 dogs...and I am a foster home for cats and dogs waiting to find a permanent home. So right now I have an extra dog and 6 extra cats...my way of making a small difference and allowing those pets to have a second chance!
  • crimsoncat
    crimsoncat Posts: 457 Member
    If you are consistently unable to pay your bills (no home, can't feed yourself) or unable to provide proper food, cleanliness, water, and shelter for your animals then you have too many. The rule of thumb I use is "would this animal be better off in a shelter?" If yes, then you should not obtain any more pets and think about finding good homes for the ones that you have.
  • fuzzieme
    fuzzieme Posts: 454 Member
    too many animals for the space, I love animals, and having that many in that space sounds cruel.
  • crimsoncat
    crimsoncat Posts: 457 Member
    Some people might see 6 cats under one roof as excessive, but I am able to feed them top of the line food and I make sure the litter box is cleaned daily. It's all a matter of how dedicated you are to caring for your animals.

    I agree with this. You can have a ton of animals, but you must be caring for them as they need to be happy and healthy.
  • fuzzieme
    fuzzieme Posts: 454 Member
    i'm at my limit. we have a big old fat happy lab, and three crazy cats. out family was just big enough with the two cats, and then we found percy out on our front porch. so now we have three cats. we care for all of them, everyone is fed very well, everyone goes to the vet regularly. we love them all dearly. i couldnt imagine life with out them.

    it is hard work tho.. i clean the cat boxes (there are 4) twice a day, we feed them very expensive food. the brushing and cleaning of cat and dog hair is never ending. we go to the vet at least once every couple of month. its the joy of having animals.

    but really, i do love them. they are the weirdest, funniest bunch of crazy animals i've ever had the pleasure of cleaning up after :)


    Your house is my dream, can I visit? ;)
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    If you are consistently unable to pay your bills (no home, can't feed yourself) or unable to provide proper food, cleanliness, water, and shelter for your animals then you have too many. The rule of thumb I use is "would this animal be better off in a shelter?" If yes, then you should not obtain any more pets and think about finding good homes for the ones that you have.

    Two summers ago part of this group was living in an area with a housing shortage. They ended up living in the campground for the entire summer. With two dogs, two cats, two snakes and a child.
  • ElizabethRaeBarnes
    ElizabethRaeBarnes Posts: 74 Member
    I live in Utah out side of SLC. In my town they allow 3 pets per home. If you are caught with more they take them from you and either put them down or place them for adoption.
    I have 2 cats and somedays I think it is to much to handle.
  • fuzzieme
    fuzzieme Posts: 454 Member
    I don't think you are worried or upset at all about the number of people and pets living there, or the condition they live in. I think you are upset because they owe you money and "you" think they can not afford the animals since they have not repaid "you". Unfortunately, people often spend money as they see it and not how others would prefer they do so. There is an old saying that goes along the lines of ...if a friend borrows $20 and you never see them again, it was $20 well spent. Life is to short to worry about what others are doing in their house or why they have not repaid a debt to you. Move on, if they pay you back, then YAY; if not, well at least you will never have to loan them money again (at least not that you should expect to get back).


    John, you're one intelligent man <raises hat>
  • MsYanaBanana
    MsYanaBanana Posts: 45
    I don't think you are worried or upset at all about the number of people and pets living there, or the condition they live in. I think you are upset because they owe you money and "you" think they can not afford the animals since they have not repaid "you". Unfortunately, people often spend money as they see it and not how others would prefer they do so. There is an old saying that goes along the lines of ...if a friend borrows $20 and you never see them again, it was $20 well spent. Life is to short to worry about what others are doing in their house or why they have not repaid a debt to you. Move on, if they pay you back, then YAY; if not, well at least you will never have to loan them money again (at least not that you should expect to get back).

    This
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    My town has a limit. 5 pets per household. They also do inspections every few months to make sure the home is safe for the pets and that the pets are being fed and not abused. I don't know many towns that do this, and it's mandatory.

    Wow, I would seriously take issue with that...

    If you live in a town that has this law/bylaw/whatever it's called than you agree to it if you want to have pets in your home. If you don't like it, don't get a pet.

    Personally, I agree with it as there are far too many people who do not properly take care of their animals.
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    A flatcoat retriever/border collie mix (about 65 lbs) and a chiuahua and a pomeranian mix.

    And let me guess. The Chihuahua is the non pottytrained one. Stupid little rat dogs, I've never run across one that actually 'figured it out' that potty goes outside, not in the corner right when you get back in.

    I have a "stupid little rat dog" that doesn't go to the bathroom inside. It isn't all of those "stupid little rat dogs" that don't know where the proper place is to go. Mine is very well trained and knows he is to go outside and not in the house. I also know five other "stupid little rat dogs" that don't go to the bathroom in the house.
  • coliema
    coliema Posts: 7,646 Member
    A flatcoat retriever/border collie mix (about 65 lbs) and a chiuahua and a pomeranian mix.

    And let me guess. The Chihuahua is the non pottytrained one. Stupid little rat dogs, I've never run across one that actually 'figured it out' that potty goes outside, not in the corner right when you get back in.

    I have a "stupid little rat dog" that doesn't go to the bathroom inside. It isn't all of those "stupid little rat dogs" that don't know where the proper place is to go. Mine is very well trained and knows he is to go outside and not in the house. I also know five other "stupid little rat dogs" that don't go to the bathroom in the house.
    My sister has two "stupid little rat dogs" and guess what? They both will sit at the back door and let you know they need to go. Neither of them has ever had an accident inside.
  • fuzzieme
    fuzzieme Posts: 454 Member
    stupid little rat human that can't train
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    stupid little rat human that can't train

    True, though some animals are more difficult to train than others.
  • fuzzieme
    fuzzieme Posts: 454 Member
    stupid little rat human that can't train

    True, though some animals are more difficult to train than others.


    I know
  • HappyNinjaStar
    HappyNinjaStar Posts: 353 Member
    So what's the background on these people? Did all of the adults live together and then get these pets in the 2 bedroom apartment? Did they combine households, bringing all of their individual pets with them? Did they at one point have a better living/financial situation?

    Just from personal experience, people don't generally start out with that many people/pets in that small of space. I know my husband is a huge animal lover, and at one point he tried to save a pack of puppies (nine total) that would have been put in a sack in thrown in the river (yeah, that's the kinda backwoods place I live...). Unfortunately we couldn't find homes for any of them and they turned into BIG dogs. It was a huge strain financially, and when they were just reaching adulthood, my husband lost his job, making it a daily choice about what kind of food we were going to eat, the animals were going to eat, and which bills were going to get paid.

    Just because life goes bad, you can't just stop feeding/taking care of your family, and that goes for pets too. It sucks, but they are dependent on you. Like I said, I don't know the surrounding circumstances of the OP's people in reference, so I withhold judgement.
  • lizlkbg
    lizlkbg Posts: 566
    One side of my family has 4 adults, one kid, three dogs, three cats, 6 snakes, about 15 rats, a lizard, and a frog in a 2 bedroom apartment.

    What do you think, excessive?

    Yes.
  • cuterbee
    cuterbee Posts: 545
    My town also has limits, unless you foster for the animal shelter or the Humane Society. In that case, it's waived. I like fostering for many reasons, one of which is that I can have puppies as often as I like (which is sad in itself that people dump them off before they're even six weeks old, and due to parvo concerns they can only be sent to fosters or euthanized).
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    I guess I am a little confised as to your specific question...

    The houshold is two couples, combined last summer. The animals are split fairly evenly between the two households. I have more of an issue with the household with two small dogs and two cats and two snakes (plus rats), because they have not had a place to live for more than a few months in several years and yet they seem to keep adding animals, and those animals have no preventative care whatsoever. They have had two litters of puppies in the last 8 months or so because they cannot afford to get either dog fixed. THAT is they kind of care that concerns me.

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