That's how we got Fez and Rufous!

That's an interesting idea.
Me in the UK: 4 indoor/outdoor cats, 2 bedroom 1 reception flat with
garden, 2 available laps, 1 big litterbox (but they have outside
access), 4 separate food bowls. Approx. cost per year for 4 cats: food
£550, litter £110, regular vet costs (flea & worming, vaccinations)
£255, pet insurance £288. Total £1203 = about £300 per cat per year
(that's around US$541 and AUS$742).
That doesn't include any unexpected vet costs that aren't covered by
insurance, e.g. dentals @ around £60 a go.

Good estimate, Jo - interesting that it's about the same on both sides
of the pond!

FWIW, my 4 are in a stable 'pack' and it's clear they have a hierarchy
of dominance. They all get lots of attention and usually don't demand it
all at once. Bedtime can get a little crowded though! :-) They were all
acquired at different times, but significantly, 3 out of the 4 arrived
as kittens. I would say that it's nearly always OK to introduce a new
kitten to a household. It's introducing new adult cats to an established
group that could cause trouble, but not always by a long way. It depends
on the purrsonality of the new adult cat.

Kajikit, why not adopt a pre-bonded group of cats or kittens? For
example, maybe a whole litter from the shelter? A litter of 3 kittens
wanting a home - it would be a lovely idea to adopt them all together,
finances and space permitting? Or adopt a pair of adult cats that are
already used to each other, then if you wanted more, adopt a young
kitten later on?

Deb.

6 is a crazy cat person?  Then how would you describe someone who has 70,
all indoor, and mostly elderly unhomables and ex ferals? There is someone
like that lives a mile or so away from me.  When the front door is opened
the smell almost blows you back to the roadside.

I have two, that is a nice number for me.  They don't cost a lot to keep
foodwise, but I like to think I'll be able to afford the vet's bill if
something serious happens to one, or even both at the same time and I have
some money stashed away for this.
Now, if my kitties hadn't chosen me themselves, and I was out to get my
first chosen kitties, I'd probably go to a shelter and choose two maybe
middle-aged ones who'd always lived together and would grieve if parted,
something like that.  Some shelters will help with vets fees if you agree to
take on one or two with existing health problems. These are the ones that
are hardest to home.

If I got on well with those, and wanted more, I'd perhaps choose a kitten
just for me after that.

You must be excited, Kajikit to be able to get your very first kitties soon.
May you have many happy years with them  (and of *course* they'll like you,
cats always love their meowmies and paws) eventually...when they feel safe
with you.  Developing a trusting relationship with a shy cat is very special
and can take time.
Cue BF to spring up into the armchair next to me ;-) and he did. Showing off
with his new posh reflective collar which works a treat.  In the torchlight
last night I could see him yards away, or rather his collar.

Tweed

If you start with young kittens, get two.  If you get a mature cat, it
might be best to start with one.  After that, let your conscience be your
guide (also your wallet).MLB

Here is the difference:

1.  Can you feed everyone in the house on good healthy food, including
the humans?
2.  Does everyone get adequate medical and dental care?
3.  Does everyone get along well with everyone else?
4.  Does everyone live in sanitary conditions?

If the answer to all these questions is yes, you're a feline lover.
If any answers are no, you are a crazy cat person.

***

There's no hard and fast "number that is too many".  If you have two
very territorial cats, two may be too many if they are trying to kill
each other.  However, if you have eight cats who all like each other,
and you can afford to look after everyone, then having eight is fine.
Our rule is that if a newcomer cannot get along with those previously
in residence, the newcomer gets re-homed (we haven't had to do that
yet).

In our two bedroom apartment, we planned to have two, maybe 3.  We got
four when my partner found two kittens in the trash.

I would recommend getting a pair of siblings, or two older cats who
like one another.  Cats are natural colony animals and most (though
not all) thrive better when they have the company of their own
species.

Get a litter box for each cat (yes, we have four boxes) and a bowl for
food for each.  ANd enjoy!

--Fil

The question is, did you have to stroke all the cats because she made
you do it, or because YOU made you do it? :)

What was the job?

Joyce

SUQKRT had something important to tell us on 16 Oct 2004 23:03:09 GMT:

I know they have to meet me... you can't just choose a cat on the
basis of a sweet picture and a sob-story on the internet. But little
Perry is SO sweet... John went to visit him and he put his paws out of
the cage to say hello and he just purred and purred when John stroked
him :) If he likes me, then he's ours... Only I'm afraid that he'll be
gone before I get there - I'm actually surprised that he hasn't been
adopted yet because he's an adorable little ginger fluffball with the
sweetest little stripes on his legs and a white throat, and the
shelter said he'd been there a month already! Poor baby...