I am glad to see they are paying rent to you. It can get very sticky if that isn't clearly defined and not just with parents and kids, but with any relatives/friends.

Sounds like a great menagerie. My sis gave me a welcome plaque with all kinds of critters on it. It says "Welcome to the zoo!" That was when we have eight cats, two dogs, several fish and about 5 birds. I draw the line on snakes and rodents though, ever since a Siamese female figured out how to open a hamster cage and let them out to *play* with her!

Best way to intro a new cat is keep it in its own room (after you've brought it in, in its own kennel and let them all look at each other and sniff for a while) and let them howl and sniff at each other through/under the door, then gradually leave the door open while you keep watch, all the while talking to them all by name, praising when they make "nice" contact, warning when they get a little "touchy" with each other. Keep a water bottle with sprayer handy or a soda can with a couple of pennies in it. Spray or shake the can if they start to fight.

The other important thing is to have enough litterboxes. Rule of thumb, or should it be "paw?" says one per cat plus one extra.

Good luck and is does sound like FUN!

kat