Pets are totally fine if you consistency/reliability arent that important. Homelabs can be fun ;)

28 is a lot of pets.

There is something satisfying in handling a home server as cattle though!

I don't do it because I don't care; I do it because it is super satisfying when it has been boringly running for weeks without me doing anything to keep it up beyond paying the electricity bill, upgrades are extremely predictable, etc.

Boredom is a feature :D