The 3 cats are happy together and we plan on moving to a bigger appartment . Do I wish I had two cats? The idea was he would foster them till he could find good homes for him, but now he’s saying he wants to keep him. You can also take into account window access and heights which they can reach. Some Councils require cats to be confined to their owner's property during certain hours. This is how cats have this ‘right to roam’ and they cannot, therefore, trespass in the legal sense. You can call Lee county animal control at: (239) 533-7387 to ask and make sure. We had six cats earlier this year and I begged him for another kitten. I read the other answers, and the other answerers are correct as far as the strict legal issue. One cat has already begun spraying. My dog chases my cat and gets jealous of my cat. Can Ragdoll Cats Go Outside? We have lost 2 to old age and have decided not to get another cat in their place. In most US cities, ordinances often limit the number of dogs to two, and may also limit the number of cats. The golden rule of litterboxes is to have one for each cat and an extra one on top of that. Loving a cat is an amazing experience, but it takes time, dedication, and emotional availability. It is believed that cats have been domesticated as pets for thousands of years. NOTE: Outdoor enclosures will allow for more cats under one home as it doubles as a livable/play area for your cat. Therefore, an owner cannot be legally responsible for where their cats go. ... MARK THE ANSWER AS HELPFUL. Before you take in a pet, you have to be able to be there for it not only for the good times but also for the bad. A two-bedroom apartment really isn’t enough for the wife, husband, and two kids let alone the dogs and cats. Remember though, there is a BIG difference between legally right and morally right. Dog is male. Litter Boxes: One box is enough for 2 cats, BUT you will want an extra litter box for every cat after that. We have insurance for all the babies, but as yet, thank goodness, no one has been sickly. Can I offer this cat financial support for an extended period of time? You need to spend quality time with each of your cats every single day. If you don't, you likely have more pets than you have time for. The county has a limit of four animals per household, a common limit in many communities. One cat per hand. We share the latest posts, giveaways and reviews so you can understand your cat better. Do I still have enough time to spend with my other cats. Going beyond a pair you have to really take your living space, litter boxes, accessible windows, and outdoor space into consideration. It is important to note that although the federal minimum age for possession of cannabis in public is 18, most provinces and territories have raised the minimum age requirement to 19. I think nine is probably our limit. Have you ever felt that it’s difficult to care for your cat? Our Calliope was found nearly frozen to death in a 2013 snow storm; she was just a little baby with pneumonia, even lost the tip of her tail and tops of her ears. If you are a foster, be aware that you do not automatically have the right to keep up to fifty animals in your home. I have a full basement with 2 rooms , the next level is 2 bedrooms and a bathroom, living area and kitchen, then upstairs is a whole attic completely made into my teenage sons room. My boyfriend wants to move in with us and bring his cat. Other pets like rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, or hamsters may also have a number limit in your area. Ask your vet, your cat friend, even email me and I’ll help you. I clean 11 litterboxes twice a day. If not, then maybe you should wait until you do. However, this is not a desirable situation for either the cats or the people caring for them. In the Redlands you can keep up to 2 dogs or 2 cats per residence without a permit. Here are the most important ones: The maximum number of cats described above refers to households without any other pets. Kept one kitten and mother cat. We’re also inspected regularly to ensure cleanliness, supplies, toys, vet care, socialization of the kittens, grooming, nail clipping and (most importantly) record keeping for taxes. To know when you have too many pets, consider whether you have enough time to take care of all of your pets every day. The natural state of a cat is solitary and social interactions must be carefully engineered. Of course, there’s always exceptions. It depends on your emotional and financial availability. However, if you have more no’s than yes’s, then maybe you should reconsider. We also love to foster kittens and support local rescues. So a home that is 1500 square feet, you can usually house 3 cats comfortably. Depending on the size, you can have as many as 3 more cats under one roof. How many household pets you can keep is usually determined by the city in which you live. TYSVM! For some people, even two cats can be too many, while for others, it is perfectly doable to love as many as six cats at once. I’m not a cat person but I’m thinking 8 is rather excessive. For every 500 square feet after 1000, you can add one cat. As you can see, it is entirely up to you to find the answer that fits you. In accordance with Washoe County Code 55.390, within the congested areas of Washoe County, not more than three dogs and seven cats over the age of four months are permitted per household. Other pets that might not be good matches for cats are hamsters, mice, rabbits, gerbils, or even birds and fish. We want to adopt a last one. Ever wondered, "how can i keep my cat in my yard?" If you don’t have the time, you really shouldn’t have the animal. Your rights as a pet owner also apply if your dog is lost and picked up by local authorities. If her animals are well cared for, then it is morally right for them to stay with her while it may be legally right for them to be seized and euthanized. You are well worth assessing the situation in detail before you make a decision. In Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, after five cats you are required to have a cattery license. I have a neighbor & she has 12 to 14 cats in a 600 square feet cottage, plus 2 large dogs. In the United States, cats have been present with European settlers since the 1600’s. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. I have also for the most part had 5 cats in residence. In Ga- how many cats and dogs are too many to have in a home about 1,500 sq ft? Five seems like a lot to me but that is the law. My oldest pets are the Ragdolls that turn 8 this year and the youngest is the rescued Himalayan who is 2. Animals must be kept in a way that does not cause a noise, smell or wandering nuisance to others. Most people will have 2 or 3 in an apartment and that is fine if you know what you are doing , I wish I could agree but there is a limit! After he died at age of 14, I couldn’t imagine a life without a cat, but always thought I’d have only one. As for three-story houses, as many as 7 cats would fit. Aside from the physical space of an apartment or a house, there are a few other things you should consider before taking in a cat. Even with the proper financial means, it can be overwhelming to have to take a large number of cats to the vet on a daily basis. If one cat gets a contagious disease, it can quickly spread it to all the others. Except at certain times of their lives, like mating, mothering, and as kittens, cats seem to be pretty self-sufficient, and in nature spend many hours on their own. Outside of this, individual cat personalities will greatly play a role in how many cats can be in one home. The mother cat has been so stressed out she’s been leaving the kitten in random places cuz she’s trying to find it a safe quiet spot. Learn how your comment data is processed. She is my youngest at age 7. Thanks for your comment Tarah. Cats are both 4 years old. I adopted another kitten as soon as i could find one: which was 2-3 weeks later. Whether you have one cat or several, you should keep in mind that you should care for it emotionally, but also financially and medically. I live in a 2 story house with a nice basement and a nice screened in back patio. Council can issue an order to stop your cat trespassing and if you don't comply you can be fined. Some cats are more forgiving of space, whilst others are more territorial. My boy takes care of himself very well and never mats. I have seen afr to many older animals needing homes when there pet parent passes. With the addition of floors, you can add more cats. She now wants to keep the kitten. I know, I’m a crazy cat lady, but, I’m also responsible, reliable and honorable breeder. The house is only 1,000 square feet. Cats living in overcrowded spaces develop anxiety and all the diseases that this can trigger in the long run. Great post and lotsfor many to consider. I’m old enough to realize that every situation is different, but, if you ask for help, there are people who are willing and ways to help. Dog and cat permits. We have a four bedroom house and we try to keep the cats entertained. I took an animal care course a long time ago so I was taught that it’s stressful for animals to not have their own space. ……….HELP!!! Cats live a long time (or can) and it breaks my heart to see seniors get kittens unless they have a plan for care for their animals. So we are currently at nine cats but did not plan this ahead of time. Anything under 1000 should not have more than 2 cats. Source(s): Cat owner and researcher Most states in the US will allow you to own up to 5 or 6 cats (and up to 3 dogs). What do you think is the maximum number of cats that people should have? I have a few Pet peeves, When it comes to large groups of cats, these bad times are increased by each kitty living under that roof. If you live in a small home and it feels cramped with all of your pets, you probably have too many. And (2) if you can afford to care for (feed, provide veterinary care, etc.) Thanks, Beth, for sharing. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Grab the Floppycats FREE Guide: "Top 10 Pawesome Cat Products" that I know your cat will love. The smell that comes from her house is nauseating when she opens her windows, fortunately she has central air but not fortunate for the animals. Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Everyone spayed/neutered. The laws that address the maximum number of animalsthat you can have in your home differ greatly from one country to another. Do I have the time and resources to care for this cat? My husband and I have had 4 in a large 2 bedroom, 2 floor condo/townhouse. But by the time he was almost 1 year old, I really wanted to have a bengal cat but wasn’t sure if introducing another cat to my resident cat would be a good idea, but thinking that my cat is still young, decided to take a chance, and that’s how I ended up with 2 cats. So, think things through in terms of emotional, financial, and spatial resources before you bring in a new cat into your home. Unlike cat beds, which could be placed virtually anywhere, finding the right place for a litterbox can be much trickier. Make sure you have enough space to keep them isolated from each other, should you need to, before you bring in a cat into your home. They have open boxes, hooded boxes, even 3 built into bedside stands, so each cat can have their choice. Your landlord must deal with this and must resolve the issue by taking action. Cats who eat dry food that you can make readily available may be left on their own for 24-48 hours as long as fresh water is accessible as well. Cats have brought me so much happiness throughout my life. I truly believe she is a hoarder but when you talk to her about it she will get weepy & say they are her family. She has a two bedroom apartment, herself and husband, 2 loud kids, 2 dogs, and the 2 parent cats. These laws are not heavily regulated in many areas which are unfortunately why there are still many hoarding issues in the country. If you already have two cats and you are considering taking in a third, then you should check the local laws, first of all, to make sure that you are legally allowed to do that. She is a hoarder of material things too. The regulations for how new rules can be enacted should be outlined in your CC&Rs—and if the HOA isn't following its own stipulations, you have a valid complaint for any secret swashbuckling. And it can be a big problem—for the welfare of the animals, the hoarder, anyone else in the home, and even the neighbors. With more than two cats in a one-bedroom apartment, things might end up feeling a bit overcrowded. Considering the bedroom guidelines, that leaves you with two cats, three at the most. I have had 11 at one time but that was due to taking a feral Mom and socializing kittens. So owning 4 cats, you will want a minimum of 3 boxes. Was it wrong for me to tell her she has too much going on in her apartment for another cat. I have two which is all I can … Depends on the state you live in. Rudyard Kipling immortalized the stereotype of the cat who walks by himself – and for good reason. If your furbaby is terrified of being combed, get a lion cut for them. Since my husband passed away, I’m the only “cat parent”. For a three-bedroom apartment, the ideal number of cats would be three and the maximum number of cats would be four. Though you might assume there’s some set number of cats or dogs beyond which you’d clearly classify as a hoarder, the designation is not so simply achieved. This is a basic rule that will never get you in trouble with over occupying your space. The maximum number for this space would be two. It was almost instant mutual love. I couldn’t bear being “cat-less”! In Quebec, the age is 21. He just came back from visiting his mom in Wyoming and brought 4 female kittens that his mother found under her house and was caring for them. I am the food and litter person while my husband is the one who plays with them. This means that most or all of the cats could need medical care all at once, which can be extremely difficult to provide, financially, but also in terms of logistics. Here are some laws you should know in case your pet is lost: A loose dog or cat may be legally seized or impounded by local animal authorities, especially if the animal is without identification tags. In my city, we’re permitted 5 animals and need a special license from the county for more (breeding). Some people have one cat, others have two, others have three or four. Take a look at these examples. My boyfriend wants the two cats and dog to sleep in our room. How many cats do you have? What if those pets So, depending on your dedication to your cat or cats, you have to decide for yourself how many cats are too many. I see animal control there often and no animals are ever taken. More info can be found here. I have a dog and a cat. One reason for your cat’s natural solitude is that they are lon… Watch Our Video =). Ask your veterinarian for referrals to reputable shelters and rescue groups that can assist you in finding responsible homes for enough cats so you are not overwhelmed by the remainder.. Even if a city doesn't have a set limit on the number of animals, neighbors bothered by too many animals might sue in small claims court. LEGAL DISCLAIMER: No attorney-client relationship is established on the basis of any information provided by Mr. Birchmore. We live in a basement appartment with 1 bedroom, 1 kitchen and 2 living rooms. If you have a neighbor or family member whose home or property is overrun by too many cats, dogs, birds, or other animals, you’re probably wondering what you can do about the problem. Dogs and cats can get along, as many four-legged friends have demonstrated over the years, but it is not a given. Moreover, preventative measures for large groups of cats are difficult to enforce. If the cats get along and the dog is okay with everything, it should be okay given that you have two-story living and a basement. You said, I would say that is too many pets, you will have to is! Email me and I have the baby have 2 cats per residence without a Permit – you most likely more... Anxiety and all the diseases that this can turn into behavioral problems very fast to two without being.! 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