This article, “Mass Cat Breeding: How It Started” by Christopher Bays, first appeared on Catster. Copying the article in its entirety is a violation of copyright law. In case you didn’t know, these articles have all been assigned, contracted, and paid for, and therefore are not considered to be in the public domain. However, we would appreciate it if you enjoyed the article and would appreciate it if you would share just the first paragraph of the article and link to the rest on Catster.com.
Hi, I’m Christopher. To find out more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga, please read my about me.
Several of my friends and colleagues have multiple pets, and I have often considered getting a cat or a dog to keep Olga entertained and company while I was away. When I was a child, my family had a cocker spaniel and I had a parakeet, but that was the only time we had multiple pets. To be honest, I was a lazy and spoiled child, so my parents did most of the heavy lifting, like taking us to vet appointments.
Are you a cat lover or a cat hoarder?
I respect many animal owners who love and take good care of their animals, and I know some “cat ladies” who have healthy, happy cats, but I’ve also met people who have mass cat ownership. I won’t discuss the psychological aspects of mass cat ownership, but when it comes to mass cat ownership, the number of cats is not as important as the health of the cats and the state of the environment.
Panjent Residence
In college, I was visiting an old friend who had recently moved into a small house with two roommates and at least 20 cats. I didn’t see any cats when I walked in, but the smell of ammonia was so strong I felt nauseous. When I walked into the kitchen, the smell of feces became even stronger, competing with the smell of urine.
The kitchen was a horrifying sight that I will never be able to erase from my memory. Most of the cats were sitting near the overflowing cat litter box. Some were on tables, chairs, and counters. One cat was even resting on top of the refrigerator. The kitchen floor and counters were covered in feces and the smell was so strong that I had to leave. This is an extreme example of cat overpopulation, but I don’t think it’s uncommon.
The transition from pet parent to pet hoarder
Many cat owners have good intentions and want to rescue as many cats as they can. They don’t dream of having a huge cat population. They start with just a few cats, but they frequently check online ads for rescue centers and shelters, and eventually they give in and start taking on more cats. For them, it’s hard to ignore the photos of adorable cats in need that arrive every day.
However, a large number of cats can make it more difficult to provide care and attention to them. Just like people, some cats don’t like sharing their home with strangers, and conflicts can easily break out when multiple animals share a small territory.
Unsustainable environment
Vaccinating 20 cats and taking them to the vet every year is expensive, and most mass cat owners, at least those I’ve met, avoid vet visits unless one of their cats is seriously injured. While they may prefer living in a crowded home to the cramped cages of a shelter, they are not likely to live as long, happy, or healthy as other pets in more favorable conditions.
Most states don’t limit the number of cats you can have, as long as they’re carable and don’t pose a threat to public safety. Cities have stricter regulations, but large cat owners rarely face fines unless they have dozens of cats and neighbors call the authorities.
I don’t mind having one cat, but I also like to visit friends who have several cats and dogs. It’s fun having a pack of animals following me around, begging for attention. The only time it becomes a problem is when the house becomes unhygienic and smells like a garbage dump.
- Read the previous article: Holidaying with a cat: Olga’s preferences
This article, “Mass Cat Breeding: How It Started” by Christopher Bays, first appeared on Catster. Copying the article in its entirety is a violation of copyright law. In case you didn’t know, these articles have all been assigned, contracted, and paid for, and therefore are not considered to be in the public domain. However, we would appreciate it if you enjoyed the article and would appreciate it if you would share just the first paragraph of the article and link to the rest on Catster.com.
