Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melissa K. Hale on November 12, 2011 at 11:20am

I think you can't pinpoint a specific number. I believe a person is a hoarder when they have so many pets that they are unable to properly take care of them. Some people have multiple animals but are able to feed and take care of them, while another person would be unable to take care of that many.

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Permalink Reply by Jana Arnold on November 12, 2011 at 11:31am

I have four pets and really can't imagine having more. They do each need personal attention and direction (especially the dogs). The number 7 keeps popping into my head as becoming a hoarder. Obviously that would not include a litter of new puppies.

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Permalink Reply by Melissa K. Hale on November 12, 2011 at 11:37am

I have two rats, a small boa snake, and five chihuahuas. Also I am going to help out a friend and take her ferret. I am at my limit after taking the ferret, but I am able to take very good care of all my animals. For some this is too many for others they may be able to take care of more. I think it what each individual family/person is able to handle. Some people do not know their limits and it gets way out of control until they are overwhelmed.

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Permalink Reply by Jana Arnold on November 12, 2011 at 11:40am

That doesn't sound like too many... some animals really don't take as much time as others. We have had rats, snakes, fish, hamsters, rabbits, hermit crabs... much easier that dogs!

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Permalink Reply by Melissa K. Hale on November 12, 2011 at 11:45am

That's true, dogs are harder. Even though my chihuahuas are small they are a handful. Plus when you take into account getting them fixed, yearly shots, and feeding them the right kind of food it gets expensive. Plus when things out of the ordinary happens and they have to go to the vet. it can be even more expensive when it is not an expected.

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Permalink Reply by Ann Sullivan on November 12, 2011 at 12:12pm

I agree with Melissa's response.  I think as long as a person can vet, feed, and love the animals they have, I don't see a problem with having multiple animals (I have 4 small dogs and 3 cats).   Sometimes when my finances are tight, I think I might be wise to "adopt out" one of my babies - but I didn't adopt these animals to farm them out, and luckily, I have always been able to provide what they needed. 

I do know that if you live in a city limits, there generally are limits to the number of animals you can have (in Sherman, I think it's 15 dogs!), but who is going to monitor and patrol this?  

My goal in life is to be an animal hoarder (lol), but only to the extent that I can care for all of them appropriately!  

I love my babies......

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Permalink Reply by Nina Broekhuizen on November 12, 2011 at 12:30pm

I dont think it's the number but more like the conditions in which they live and the health of the animal.

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Permalink Reply by Kristen Dautreme on November 12, 2011 at 2:15pm

Definitely depends on the conditions of both the person and the animals. If the person has so many that they cannot properly care for them or themselves it's clearly a problem. No one should be living in filth. Pets or their humans.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Cash Boyer on November 12, 2011 at 7:38pm

One pet past what you can realistically care for.   For some that could be 5 - 10.  Others would be  higher.  I know a situation where a woman had over 50 -- used her dining room as a litter box.  Definitely a hoarder!  But I also know of people that have land & have 20 - 30 pets but are in & outside animals -- & they care for them.  Pretty much a situational type thing.

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Permalink Reply by Emi Thomas Bryan on November 21, 2011 at 11:27am

10

 

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