How do people find out if you have too many cats?

Answer 1

It depends on the exact meaning of "too many cats". Some communities have a by-law that limits the number of animals that any householder can own, typically to six or less, unless they have a special license; some closed communities and apartments have more restrictive covenants. In these cases, it is a simple matter to count cats, when they are sunning themselves in your windows during the winter. Other communities have no such laws, but may act to remove animals from an "animal hoarder", one with more animals than he or she can actually care for. What that number is will depend on how much help the individual gets. Most often, an animal hoarder is identified by a persistent smell of urine from the house, or by an animal control officer on a "wellness visit" or with a warrant finding animals in need of care, or dead and dying untended.