[Pastelito de limon]

Do you guys think there is such a thing as too many animals?

I'm thinking of adding a puppy and I know I'm going to get a lot of flack from my family about it. They like calling me a hoarder.

I was lonely as hell about 3 years ago and got a dog. I love him to bits, he's my furchild and goes everywhere with me that is legally permitted. A few months later, a sad, sick little kitty was in my yard and I thought he'd be good company for the pup, so I kept him. They are great friends.
Later, my parents wanted to get rid of their aquarium so I took it. It was really fun and interesting learning how to maintain one, and I got a bigger tank later. The last addition to the pack was a couple of ferrets. I got enchanted with them everytime I went to petco and I adopted a couple of older ones that someone wanted rid of.

In summary, I'm up to 1 small dog, 1 cat, 2 ferrets and 2 aquariums. They get vet care at the drop of a hat and premium food. I enjoy taking care of them and find it very rewarding. I got married and am not lonely...I don't think that's my driving force...the husband is down with all the pets. I'm off work during the summers, but am starting again soon. It bothers me that the dog spends the day laying around waiting for me to get off work. The cat sleeps all day and doesn't play with him until the evening rolls around. The ferrets have to stay in the cage when they're not supervised. So the boy spends 8 hours chilling in the house while I'm gone, and 8 hours sleeping...I feel bad about that and I think it would be good to have a (small) canine pal to hang out with. I'm closing on a new house this month so I'll have a 1000 sqft place with half an acre yard. Sufficient?

I figure as long as they are all getting attention and care, and I keep the house (relatively) clean, then it's not a big deal if I take on another?

"Hoarding" is only when people are taking on animals they can't care for, yes?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Yes! I think all pets need a buddy of their species, 2 dogs, 2 cats. You have the others covered. Usually an opposite gender about the same age works best.

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[Pastelito de limon]

Yeah, my dog is super picky about his associates. He doesn't get along with male dogs or dogs that are even slightly larger than he is...he gets aggressive when they try to rough house with him. I'd like to get another rat terrier, but the husband complains that I got to pick all the other animals so it's his turn. So we're looking for a female Boston terrier.
People's comments get me paranoid sometimes and make me wonder if I'm turning into a collecter or something...I don't know anyone else that has as many pets as I do. I think I just like spending time with animals...but then I worry that I'm going to end up with a crazy compulsion...

[foxywench]

if your a hoarder im in BIG trouble...
my current in the house pets are 2 adult cats, 3 dogs, a 55 gal aquarium a 7 gal aquarium, 2 1 gal aquariums, 2 lineolated parakeets and a macaw
then add to that 2 goats, 6 rabbits, 7 guinea fowl, 6 ducks and 2 geese
and ive plans to add another small dog soon and another large dog in about a year to 1 1/2 yrs.
plus unnaccounted for aditional farm animals...

so yeah, im pretty sure your fine in terms of "escessive numbers" lol.

my personal opinion is that a hoarder is somone who "collects" animals to a point that they cannot properly care for or give individual attention to them all.
a hoarder is someone who doesnt realize their animals are underweight, or have illnesses...
a hoarder is someone who cant keep their electric on or pay their water bill but stillbring home 10 more cats...
a hoarder is someone who doesnt see that their efforts to help these animals are actually hurting them...


as for the origional question...i think the how many is a very individual thing...i have a friend who shouldnt even own a pet rock, even a fish would be "too many" for him...yet ive also got frend with 8 large dogs and could easily handle more due to her expertese, time available ect...

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I agree with Foxy. I had 3 large dogs(75, 80, 110 lbs) and 4 cats until a dog and a cat died this Spring. And all are inside pets.

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[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by foxywench

if your a hoarder im in BIG trouble...
my current in the house pets are 2 adult cats, 3 dogs, a 55 gal aquarium a 7 gal aquarium, 2 1 gal aquariums, 2 lineolated parakeets and a macaw
then add to that 2 goats, 6 rabbits, 7 guinea fowl, 6 ducks and 2 geese
and ive plans to add another small dog soon and another large dog in about a year to 1 1/2 yrs.
plus unnaccounted for aditional farm animals...

Wow, foxy - I think you might even beat me, especially if you count each fish! But if I were to count up all my feeder rodents (numbers vary), it could be a draw.

My current menagerie consists of 1 dog (46lb mutt), 3 cats, 29 snakes, 2 mice, and a cage full of feeder rats - usually ranging in numbers from 5-20+ altogether. Oh, and I live in a 711sf apartment right now. This might sound absolutely crazy, but somehow it works just fine... especially since the snakes are in professional racks, which take up little space, and they're also very low-maintenance pets. Sometimes I even forget they're here, LOL. You also get into a comfortable routine with multiple pets, just as a parent with multiple children eventually does.

So to answer the original question, I guess "too many" is a matter of opinion. I'm sure most people think I have too many pets, but they're all healthy, happy, and extremely well-loved. Even my feeder rats are treated like normal pets, with weekly cage cleanings and the highest quality food I can get. As long as you can handle them financially/emotionally, and all of their needs are being met, it's really your call when enough is enough. Honestly, I'd have even MORE pets if I lived in a bigger place and had unlimited funds!

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by Pastelito de limon

"Hoarding" is only when people are taking on animals they can't care for, yes?

Btw, I think this statement is fairly accurate... my friends have teased about getting me on that "Animal Hoarders" show, but in reality they know I'm not like those people! I've watched the program a few times, and it literally made me sick to my stomach. When somebody has 20+ cats (or whatever animals), most of whom are sick and/or underweight, un-neutered, and even dying without the owner noticing - THAT is a problem hoarder.

This one lady had more cats than she could handle, and the house cleaners found something like 3-4 mummified kitty bodies under furniture & garbage. Her reaction? "Oh, I was wondering what happened to them." So not only was she an animal hoarder, she was also a disgusting slob, and probably needed some serious mental help too.

[foxywench]

all hoarders need serious mental help, its and incredibly dibilitating mental illness, most animal hoarders are also "STUFF" hoarders keeping everything from old newspaprer to empty cat food cans like there treasures...they simply cannot help themselves and these hoarding tendencies are usally linked to serious depression and various social disabilities (agoraphobia, social anxiety, PTSD ect)
alot of people dont realize that hoardersdont do this because they "want" to, its a complusion, and they REALY dont see what the outside world sees.

lol Gizmo 980, i always count my fish tanks as "1 pet" i think the snakes wudl be the same lol, they require os little daily wok that 29 snakes, 1 snake, there about the same lol.
my house is about the same size as your apartment. lol!

[CSD610]

I have one dog and one cat, more than enough for us but if you can properly care for more it is your choice. Personally I can barely stand all the animal hair around the house with just the 2 I have, I cannot imagine what it would be like with more.

[Pastelito de limon]

Ahhhh! He showed up from work with a puppy. She is too cute! So far my other dog and my cat are taking it well.