I have two older cats, Maya and Ailey. Ailey is a good natured old man, but in his elderly years he really truly wants to sleep most of the day. Playing with string, chasing balls, etc. really isn’t on his To-Do list. Maya, although we love her, barely tolerates Ailey (since he was here first) and in her old age, she really wants to sit in my lap (and she doesn’t share well). We used to have five cats, but the last three have moved onto Kitty Heaven, and due to the aging of my current cats, and the fact that Maya is a bitch towards other cats, I promised them both that I wouldn’t bring any more cats into the house while they were still alive.
However…My local Humane Society is having a Christmas in July sale…cat adoptions are only $10. Hallgirl 1 adopted her first kitty from them, and they have a generous selection.
Because he wants the cats he already has to enjoy their well-earned old age without being bothered and pissed off by a kitten.
I can only tell you my own experience: When my dog Lady was 14 and no longer the fun companion she had been in her youth, I got a new puppy, deluding myself that it would be a companion for her. She loathed Linus, who in his puppy innocence would not leave her alone unless either he or she was shut away in another room – and whichever one was, was deeply unhappy about it. My having introduced another dog to the house made Lady miserable and I came to believe that her unhappiness probably contributed to a quicker decline and death. After I lost her, I wished I had done better by her in terms of allowing her the dignity and quiet of a peaceful old age. It seemed in retrospect like the least I could have done for her, in exchange for nearly 15 years of unconditional adoration.
I understand that there are always animals that need good homes, but IMO you have continuing obligations to the animals you already have. It sounds like you know or at least strongly suspect a new cat will make your old cats unhappy. On that basis alone, I’d say you should keep your promise to your cats. Kittens are always with us; there will be one to adopt when the time is right.
Just MHO.
ETA: I should also add that before I actually got Linus, I had no idea Lady would dislike him and resent his presence the way she did. If I had known previously that she was a “bitch to other dogs” (like your Maya is a bitch to other cats), I’d like to think I would not have considered another dog until she passed away.