How Many Pets Are Too Many?

To determine how many pets are just too many varies in every situation. When I think about having too many pets, I am constantly reminded of that crazy old lady in the Simpsons who had a lot of cats. That never ceases to make me snicker. So when do we say that enough is enough?

First of all, before having a pet, one has to consider the following:

- Local Laws, Neighborhood Laws, Landlord Lease Agreement, if any

- Financial capabilities in owning a pet

- Pet care (Ensuring quality care for pets which includes food, medicine, shelter, time and attention, etc.)

- Space

Local Laws, Neighborhood Laws and Lease Agreements

Before getting a pet, you have to find out whether you can actually keep it. No one wants to get a pet only to find that they can't actually keep the creature. It's disheartening and puts a lot of emotional distress on the family and pet. Find out about your local, neighborhood laws first and look into your lease agreement whether your landlord permits pets in your place of residence.

Financial capabilities in owning a pet

To own a pet is a huge responsibility. Many pet owners would say that having a pet is like having another child in the household. This is true. You have to ensure that you have the adequate financial support to be able to provide your pet with all its necessary needs. If you cannot do this, then I strongly advise against getting a pet.

Pet Care

Caring for a pet is much like caring for a toddler. Since pets can't effectively communicate with us humans, they need constant care and attention. Of course, if you're Dr. Doolittle then that, perhaps, is another story. In taking care of your pet, you need to invest your time and effort. Your pet will need your attention. It will need medical care and assistance for health checks and shots every now and then as well as a good home to live in. Since pets don't do very well if they are constantly left alone, you must ensure that someone will always be available to your pets in case you will be out for long hours. My family and I never leave our pets unattended. We always ensure that someone is at home to accompany them. It may be okay to leave them for a short while but for safety reasons, we prefer that they have an adult companion at all times.

Space

All pets need adequate space to move around, play and exercise. They need their "alone time" where they can just be what they are - animals. The amount of space varies between animals so this matter cannot be ignored. It is unreasonable and cruel to house animals in cramped living spaces. Feeding them doesn't justify keeping them in such living conditions.

Since every situation varies, these are just some very salient points to consider when getting a pet or when you choose to adopt/ buy another. The main point is to be sure that you're not breaking any laws, to ensure that you have the financial capability and space to keep your animals.

In Manila, my family and I have three mixed Labrador Retrievers and ten Cats. Yes, believe it or not, ten. Are we Cat collectors? No, we are not. We do, however, have enough space and the financial capability to be able to care for these animals.

All our cats were dumped in street corners to die as kittens. Some of the Cats just walked into our home as kittens and they never left since. We had to bottle feed many of them since they were still very young. Since the local shelters no longer had enough space for them, we decided to take care of them as best as we can. We tried giving them away but we could not find a proper home. We were not comfortable giving up the Cats to just anybody. We wanted a proper home and one where we know they will be happy. Unfortunately, we couldn't locate one.

So are they well cared for? Yes, they are. Have they been spayed/ neutered? Yes, they have been. They are well fed (we buy them proper cat food). They do have a happy home and as far as we're concerned, we're not breaking any laws.

Since every situation varies, the most important thing of all is to make sure that you can handle your responsibility as a pet owner whether you have just one pet or more. Otherwise, it is not you who suffers. It is the animal itself and that is just not fair. For some people, one pet may be one too many. Be realistic and know your limits.