And she said over the phone that I could keep her, but now my friend called and said she wants her cat back! I've had the cat about 6 months. Is there any way I can keep the cat???
2006-11-04 02:11:34 · 14 answers · asked by waterglass 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
My friend does not want a new cat, she wants this one back.
2006-11-04 02:15:02 · update #1
i know you will miss the cat, but please give it back to its owner. take the excellent suggestion of going to a shelter and rescuing another cat (or two!). you will save the friendship as well as another life.
2006-11-04 06:42:08 · answer #1 · answered by woodpecker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should give the cat back. You can technically keep the cat; your friend said you could, so that's a verbal agreement; but I think this is one of those times when it's better to come up short than to lose a friendship. You could get your friend to give you "visitation rights"--She agrees that you get the cat whenever she's busy, or on weekends, or for a week out of the month, or whatever. People have successfully shared a cat before, and it's possible you and your friend can make it work. Say, "Okay, I know she was your cat; but I love her now, too, and I'd really miss her if I had to give her up completely--can we work something out?"
Those who have suggested adopting a shelter cat are also onto a good idea. These cats are in danger of being put to sleep just for being unwanted; or, if in a no-kill shelter, of spending the rest of their lives there--alive, but bored and at least a little lonely for human company. Either shelter you adopt from, you'll be saving a life, directly or by making space for another cat who'd otherwise be put to sleep in a kill shelter. Consider especially adopting a pair of cats who have befriended each other; an older cat (or even an adult cat--many shelters keep only cute kittens). And spay/neuter your new cat right away. Too many kittens means too many useless deaths.
Whatever you decide, try to do it so that you, your friend, and the cat are the happiest possible. Be rational, not emotional: If you do things out of anger or possessive love right now, you may hurt someone. You better believe cats pick up on anger and resentment and other bad feelings--it won't make kitty feel any happier, either.
2006-11-04 02:32:02 · answer #2 · answered by lisa450 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She may have possibly meant that, "Could you keep her while I am in the hospital?" type of keep her. Did she just get out of the hospital? Or has she been out, having fun for awhile and now wants the cat back? Personally, I would give the cat back because I know that if I was in this situation, I would really want my kitty back. The friendship might be ruined if you don't. So talk it out and get all the facts and then you and your friend can make a decision. I get attached to any cat easily and would hate to give it up, but go to an animal shelter and pick one out for yourself! There are plenty that need homes and would love to go home with you.
I hope everything works out!
2006-11-04 02:42:19 · answer #3 · answered by cupidliedtome 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She gave the cat up to you. She should not be asking you to give it back. Remind her of that, if it doesn't work you have a few options (one of which I don't suggest).Either get your friend a new cat , give it back, or keep the cat and wait for the cops or Animal Control. You have bonded with the cat and no doubt that the cat has bonded with you. Since she has gone into the hospital (depending on the reason why) tell her it's not a good thing because she is healing or that she could go back to the hospital.
I wish you well.
2006-11-04 02:17:56 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should let her have the cat back and then get yourself a kitten. That way you can have a special bond with the cat from the beginning, and if you are good friends you can always visit it. Maybe she thought she was doing the righ thing at the time giving you the cat, but now she is realizing that she would like her back.
I've actually been in this situation myself and I was seven. We took care of a friends cat for her while she went on vacation, but when she came back I wanted the cat. So she bought me my own little kitten.
I think it will work either way too, whether you are kid or not.
The cat I currently have now, one of the cats I uset to have before gave birth to him and my mom told me that we had to get rid of the mom (for a lot of good reasons, she is living in a farm house now) but I could choose a kitten. I didn't think I would be happy with him but now you can't ever get me to get rid of him. I've had him since the day he was born pretty much.
2006-11-04 02:46:25 · answer #5 · answered by hopefulgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a touchy situation for sure. It seems unfair to take the cat away from you now and if your friend has been ill I think you should return it to her. Sometimes being ill makes you feel you can't take care of your cat and now she feels up to it.
Cats are wonderful creatures. Go to a shelter - there is a cat there wanting and needing you to give it a home. You will then not miss the cat you have cared for so long. You did your friend a great favor and you will love a new cat just as much as you do this one.
2006-11-04 02:17:03 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That was admirable of you to offer to care for the kitty.. What a friend you are/were. What disgust, however, of YOUR so-called friend to want the cat back now. I see cases like this on Judge Judy all the time. IN a court of law.. you would probably wiin in order to keep the cat.
You can do one of two things..(a) Keep the cat and NOT offer to get her a new cat; (b) give the kitty back and never speak to her again; or (c) keep the cat and prepare to take it to a court if necessary
2006-11-04 02:38:42 · answer #7 · answered by Benjamin J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure. Is she home from the hospital yet? If she is not then ask her if you can keep the cat till she gets back. Im sorry but that may be the only way. To spend little more time with her before she gos.
2006-11-04 02:15:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll need to get together and talk this one over. Obviously you both love the cat. How long did she have it before her hospital visit? This is a time to spend some time talking to each other to work it out. Maybe one of you can keep the kitty, and the other gets liberal visitation privileges. Good luck!
2006-11-04 02:20:22 · answer #9 · answered by Mrs. Strain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! Either way your friendship will be strained..Let her have her cat back -sorry I know your attached to it. Maybe you can work out something with her.. Think of it this way maybe everytime you visit your friend you can visit the cat too..Bring it new toys or treats..
2006-11-04 02:21:58 · answer #10 · answered by Rain32 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋