Teen Asks If It Would Be Wrong Not To Give The Cat They’ve Been Looking After For Four Years To “Real” Owners

by Damjan

People get pets for all sorts of different reasons. But not all pet owners can keep their pets.

Life is strange and ever-changing, and new circumstances often make us give our pets to someone to look after them, for a shorter or longer period. However, there is a line.

When does pet sitting turn into pet ownership? If you ask a friend to take care of your pet, and you don’t come to visit, ask about it or pay any of the expenses every pet ownership carries, are you also renouncing the actual ownership?

One scared teen shared their problem on Reddit:

“One of my mom’s friends asked us to care for her cat while she couldn’t keep her. it’s been about four years since we’ve had this cat and they do not visit, pay for any of her necessities, or ask about the cat.”

So, not a very good owner, right? However, she chose the person to take care of it wisely. The cat and OP bonded.

“I have become very attached to this cat and I don’t think I could ever give her up. She’s a cat that does not trust anyone and is bad with new people.

I think it’s because she wasn’t socialized correctly but I’m not too sure. now she follows me everywhere, practically lives in my bedroom, and comes out whenever she hears my voice.”

Now OP is afraid the previous owner might want the cat back. Read the full story below:

OP asks:

One of their mom's friend asked them to take care of her cat while she couldn't keep her. She doesn't visit, ask about the cat, or pay for any of the expenses

OP has become very attached to the cat , and the other way around

OP found out that this person now has a house where she can keep the cat. And they are afraid she might want it back.

OP posted an edit:

Redditors agree:

OP says:

Redditors suggest OP to have the cat microchipped

But the general notion is that OP has nothing to be afraid

Cat sitting for four years? If they want the cat, OP should give them the bill for pet sitting and the expenses. That will make them change their minds

A pet is not a plant. It has become a part of their family

That is now their cat. That's it. Four years is a long time.

That poor kid. Can you imagine how stressed they are?

“It’s my understanding that they have a house now where they can have the cat. they haven’t asked for her back and if they do, I want to say no.”

They are afraid that their good friend might be taken away from them. It is so wonderful to see a bond like that, but also heartbreaking to see such stress.

On a lighter note, we don't really think that the previous owners would want the cat back. They probably don't ever remember having it and giving it away, judging by their lack of interest.