13 Feb Second Chance: How Many Cats is Too Many? + Upcoming!
For 30+ years, the Animal Resource Center and Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been serving Ouray, San Miguel, and Montrose Counties. Adoption hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. View shelter pets and services online at www.secondchancehumane.org.
“Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives.”
View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.
Please reach out to our dog den staff with any questions about these deserving dogs. animalcare@secondchancehumane.org
Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432.
Go here for more options from Second Chance.
We’ve all seen situations where someone clearly has taken in too many. But what is that number? Where does the scale tip from several beloved cats to being overwhelmed?
There are things to consider when you are a multiple cat household. It’s basically a question of your resources, time, and willingness. Are you prepared to be a good pet parent to multiple cats? Having several/many cats will affect your home, the cats, and you.
The first consideration is space. You need to avoid overcrowding and make sure that there is sufficient space for all cats to escape or hide when they need to. Vertical space is another key ,- tall cat towers and access to high perches scratch their itch to climb. Speaking of scratching, you should provide multiple horizontal and vertical scratching surfaces and posts made from different materials.
Of course, as the number of cats in your home increases, so does the number of litter boxes. You should have one litter box per cat plus one extra. And remember, as the number of litter boxes increases, so does the odor and the time spent cleaning. Litter boxes should be cleaned daily; with multiple cats, there’s a lot to scoop and sweep.
Another thing to consider is that cats can become territorial if they live close to cats from different social groups. You’ll know cats are from the same social group if they share mutual grooming or sleep next to each other. Cats from different social groups can get cliquey and lash out at each other. Cats from different social groups should eat and eliminate in different areas. So, you may find yourself with a scenario like a junior high dance- with one clique on the first floor of your home and another clique on the second.
Cats need attention and interaction from you. You may have too many cats if forming emotional bonds becomes harder and your cats become clingy, depressed, or develop poor socialization skills.
Of course, you should have all your cats spayed and neutered – the earlier, the better. This will reduce the urge to defend territorial boundaries. It can also decrease the chances that your cats will spray urine to mark their territory.
You should be aware of the local ordinances. In some places, there are laws about the number of animals you are allowed to have in a single home.
Be very honest with yourself and evaluate what you can reasonably take on. Your time, personality, and resources are what should guide you. If it is not in the best interests of the cats and you, resist the urge to take “just one more.” If you need to get an extra kitty fix, volunteer at our shelter! We always need cat-loving people to play with and love on our many cats.
Helios
Helios is a young, torbie girl who came from a home that had too many cats. Her person had taken in so many cats that the home became overwhelmed. We spent several days recovering cats and kittens from under furniture and in closets. Helios took a while to trust people, but is now a sweet lap cat. She will need a quiet, safe sanctuary room in her new home to take time to decompress. Foster or adopter needed.
Upcoming:
1/2 Off Adoption Fees ends Sunday, 2/16
Emily Scott Robinson Concert tickets are on sale. At the Sheridan Opera House 3/23/25
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