Kitten Sisters...yes Or No

[catlady76paws]

Recently I took Amara into our home and I was on the lookout for a friend. I found one in Dotty, a little handicapped kitten, I suspect radial hypoplasia. I have to pay a foster fee for her.

Yesterday I was talking to her owner and she kinda fosters, taking in kittens and finding good homes. I was fawning over the new kittens and she offered Dotty's sister, Dash as the two got along so well and Dash is like Dotty's bodyguard. I don't have to pay extra for Dash.

However, my head is screaming no and my heart is aww, we have room for one more.

I'm going back and forth to last year when Beau died and Small Fry had that horrible giardia infection, then Baby got sick from oxolate stones. Dotty is a special needs kitten and I'm game but we'll house 20 cats if I take both...won't the two sisters be too much for Amara? Our house is big enough for all but I would have to introduce the Hallway Cats back to the Room Cats.
My other concern is people have accused me of hoarding and if I take Dash as well, that's food for the rumors. Plus we would have 3 girls to spay later on.

What should I do?

 

[neely]

Obviously only you can make the final decision but if I'm understanding your dilemma it sounds like you have already made up your mind, i.e. concern over hoarding, vet expenses to spay 3 more cats with one of them being a special needs kitten which could require a feline specialist. I don't know if anyone can tell you what to do but my best suggestion would be to make a pro and con list. Perhaps that would be helpful in making your decision. Best of luck, please keep us updated.

 

[MoochNNoodles]

That's tough. Listing pros and cons is a good idea. Personally I have to think with my head instead of my heart. I would love for my kids to have a pet they can love on and who loves them (and they've asked). One they can play with and snuggle like they do my Mother's cats. But that's not in Mooch and Noodles' best interest. Partially because of age, but also health concerns. And those extend to my DH; who is allergic to cats. So taking care of who I already have comes first. I committed to them first; so even when opportunities have come my way; I've had to say no.

So I think the first step is to try to look at your situation rationally; how will adding more cats affect the ones you already have? What can you afford financially but also physically and emotionally? We all have limits and boundaries are a good, healthy thing to have too.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[susanm9006]

I do think there is such a thing as too many cats, whether it is due to space, cost of care, physical space and demands on our time and attention. If your gut is saying room for no more than one, I would go with it. Perhaps this pair would be better off in a smaller cat household, hypoplasia cats need special protection and sometimes even room furnishings so they don't hurt themselves.

 

[catlady76paws]

Thank you for the input. I have been able to make a decision.
Only Dotty will be coming to our lovely cat family. She will have to be the final addition to this house

Next step is introducing the Hallway cats to the Living Room cats. I don't have a scent switching room so I'll probably work with hooks and opening the door more until they're used to each other's smell. Any tips on that?

 

[maggiedemi]

I would love to see some pictures of the Hallway and Living Room cats. It sounds very interesting. I wish I could have a house full of cats.

 

[catlady76paws]

I'll have to make a topic then. I need tips to merge the groups