{"id":640154,"date":"2024-08-26T10:00:09","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T14:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=640154"},"modified":"2024-09-07T02:58:44","modified_gmt":"2024-09-07T06:58:44","slug":"cat-hoarding-how-it-starts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/felines-weekly\/cat-hoarding-how-it-starts\/","title":{"rendered":"Cat Hoarding: How It Starts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, I\u2019m Christopher!\u00a0Read my introduction<\/a>\u00a0to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Several of my friends and colleagues have multiple pets, and I\u2019ve often considered adopting a cat or dog to entertain Olga and keep her company when I\u2019m away. When I was growing up, my family had a Cocker Spaniel, and I had a Parakeet, but that was the only time I cared for more than one pet. Honestly, my parents did most of the hard work, like taking them to veterinary appointments, since I was a lazy, selfish kid.<\/p>\n

Cat Lover or Cat Hoarder?<\/h2>\n

I respect pet owners who love and properly care for numerous animals, and I\u2019ve known a few \u201ccrazy cat ladies\u201d with healthy, energetic felines, but I\u2019ve also encountered cat hoarders. I won\u2019t discuss the psychological aspects of hoarding, but regarding cat hoarding, the number of cats is less important than their health or the condition of their environment.<\/p>\n

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This is my thumbs up pose.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Pungent Residence<\/h2>\n

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\u2019t see any felines when I walked in, but the ammonia odor was overpowering and made me gag. When I walked into the kitchen, the smell of feces became more prominent, and it seemed to be battling the urine aroma for dominance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The kitchen was a horror show I cannot erase from my memory. Most of the cats were sitting near the overflowing litter box; some were on the tables, chairs, and counters, and one was resting on the refrigerator. The kitchen floors and counters were covered with excrement, and I had to leave because the odor was so pungent. It\u2019s an extreme example of cat hoarding<\/a>, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s uncommon.<\/p>\n

Transitioning from Pet Parent to Hoarder<\/h2>\n

Most cat owners have good intentions when they want to rescue as many cats as possible; they don\u2019t aspire to be hoarders. They start with a few cats, but they frequently check online ads from rescue centers and shelters, and they eventually give in and adopt more. It\u2019s hard for them to ignore the photos they receive daily of needy, adorable cats.<\/p>\n

However, as they add more cats, caring for them and giving them attention becomes more challenging. Like people, some cats aren\u2019t happy to share their homes with strangers, and fighting is more likely to occur<\/a> when several animals share a small territory.<\/p>\n

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You can’t ignore me when I’m in your face!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Unsustainable Environment<\/h2>\n

Vaccinating 20 cats and ensuring they visit the vet every year is expensive<\/a>, and most cat hoarders, at least the ones I\u2019ve met, avoid the vet unless one of their cats is severely injured. They may be better off in a crowded house than in a tiny cage at a shelter, but they won\u2019t live as long or be as happy or healthy as other pet cats in more favorable environments.<\/p>\n

Most states don\u2019t limit the number of cats you can own as long as you can care for them, and they\u2019re not a threat to public safety. Cities are more restrictive, but hoarders are rarely fined unless they have dozens of felines and the neighbors notify the authorities.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m okay with caring for one cat, but I like visiting friends with several cats and dogs. It\u2019s nice to have a colony of animals following you and begging for your attention. It\u2019s only a problem when the home becomes unsanitary and smells like a landfill.<\/p>\n

This article is a part of Christopher and Olga's series.<\/div>
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