The post Cat Hoarding: How It Starts by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying the entire article violates copyright laws. You may not know it, but all these articles are assigned, contracted and paid for, so they are not considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continue to share just the first paragraph of an article, then link out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.
Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.
Some of my friends and colleagues have many pets, and I have often considered adopting a cat or dog to comfort Olga and keep her company when I am away. When I was growing up, my family had a Cocker Spaniel, and I had a Parakeet, but that was the only time I kept more than one pet. Honestly, my parents did most of the hard work, like taking them to vet appointments, because I was a lazy, selfish kid.
Cat Lover or Cat Hoarder?
I respect pet owners who love and take good care of multiple animals, and I know a few “crazy cat ladies” with healthy and energetic cats, but I have also encountered hoarders a cat I will not discuss the psychological aspects of hoarding, but as far as cat hoarding is concerned, the number of cats is less important than their health or the condition of their environment.
The Pungent Residence
In college, I visited an old friend who had recently moved into a small house with two roommates and at least 20 cats. I didn’t see any cats when I walked in, but the smell of ammonia was so strong it made me howl. As I entered the kitchen, the smell of feces grew stronger, and it seemed to fight the aroma of urine for dominance.
The kitchen is a horror show that I can’t get out of my memory. Most cats sit near the overflowing litter box; some are on tables, chairs, and counters, and one rests in the refrigerator. The kitchen floors and the counters were covered in dirt, and I had to leave because the smell was so bad. This is an extreme example of cat hoarding, but I don’t think it’s common.
Transitioning from Pet Parent to Hoarder
Most cat owners have good intentions when they want to save as many cats as possible; they don’t aspire to be hoarders. They start with a few cats, but often look at online ads from rescue centers and shelters, and eventually give up and adopt more. It’s hard for them to ignore the pictures they receive every day of needy, adorable cats.
However, as they add more cats, taking care of them and giving them attention becomes more difficult. Like people, some cats do not enjoy sharing their homes with strangers, and fighting is more likely to occur when several animals share a small territory.
Not Sustainable Environment
Vaccinating 20 cats and making sure they visit the vet every year is expensive, and most cat keepers, at least the ones I’ve met, avoid the vet unless one of their cats is seriously injured. . They may do better in a crowded house than a small cage in a shelter, but they won’t live as long or be as happy or healthy as other domestic cats in more favorable environments.
Most states do not limit the number of cats you can own as long as you can care for them, and they are not a threat to public safety. Cities are stricter, but hoarders are rarely fined unless they have dozens of cats and neighbors notify the authorities.
I’m okay with taking care of one cat, but I like to visit friends who have several cats and dogs. It’s nice to have a colony of animals following you around and begging for your attention. The only problem is when the home becomes unsanitary and smells like a landfill.
- Read her previous article: Vacation With Your Cat: Olga’s Favorites
The post Cat Hoarding: How It Starts by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying the entire article violates copyright laws. You may not know it, but all these articles are assigned, contracted and paid for, so they are not considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continue to share just the first paragraph of an article, then link out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.
