We were watching my mother-in-laws bird and our cat got it. Should we tell her or just buy another bird?

Question

I don't mind buying it since I left the birdcage open, but how do I get the money back from her?

Answer 1

Pretend she gave you the cage that way. Tell her you thought you were "cage sitting" and there was never a bird inside. If she protests, just tell her you wanted to spare her feelings as she's getting on in years and is often forgetful. If you play your cards right, maybe she'll commit herself and you'll never have to see her take off her fake nose at dinner again.

Answer 2

You should tell her because if she loved that bird she will know the difference. She put you in charge to watch that bird and you were careless and left the cage open. Why would you ask for your money back if you did buy her another bird?

Answer 3

We have a mother and a daughter cat, and they are exactly like that! I would say that you shouldn't get another cat as it is quite disturbing and uncomfortable for any cat as they are used to their own environment and their own space. You have to be very careful when introducing a new pet into a home that already has animals. I would say avoid getting another cat is at all possible. But if you are really set on the idea, i would say get a female kitten, as this will probably be seen as less of a threat and perhaps the older cat will take on a maternal Instinct, as happened with my cats a few years ago.

Answer 4

What you do first is scope out the angle. See if she recognized the bird as new, or old. If she thinks its her old bird, tell her the bird trashed your house and did $NNN amount of damage. Demand payment for the damages.

If she realizes something is fishy about the bird, explain how her bird viciously attacked your poor cat and the cat had no alternative but to kill it in self defense. But this was after the bird did $500 damage in vet bills to your gentle kitty., Nice guy that you are, you'll settle for the price of the replacement bird.

Answer 5

Step up to the plate. You were irresponsible for leaving the cage open. Tell her what happened at the same time that you present her with a new bird. In no way does she owe you one penny for the cost of the new bird. Mistakes happen, but responsible people own up to them if they are their fault.

Answer 6

I don't think it will be proper for you to buy her a bird in replacement for her original pet and then ask her to pay for it. In the first place, it was your cat that made her lose her bird.

You'd better tell her all about it then say that you are sorry for what happened. If she tells you to replace it, then replace it with your own money. If at the moment you have no extra money to do that, tell her that as soon as you have that extra money, you will buy her such replacement and do that exactly.

Answer 7

I would under no circumstance admit the cat got it, you can turn this to your advantage, tell her if flew out the door while you where gettting the mail and remind her of all those pet movies where the pet goes cross country to find there home. at worst you replace her bird in a few weeks and her vist gets cut short, I would call that a win-win.

Answer 8

The one thing I have learnt from Looney Tunes cartoons is that the bird is never dead. Even now, it should be possible to open the puddy tat's jaws and extract the cute little bundle of feathers unharmed. It will have a pre-loaded wisecrack just ready and waiting.

Answer 9

Well...ethically, if you left the cage open and it was your cat who got the bird, then YOU should pay for the bird. I think it would be really tacky to ask your mother-in-law to pay for a bird to whose death you contributed.

Answer 10

You tell her the truth and offer to buy her a new bird (you pay for it ). You took on the responsiblity to care for the bird - it died in your care by your neglect (leaving the door open).