Irresponsible roommate with pet. Advice?

Question

I'll try to make this short....

My fiance and I own a three bedroom house. We rent out two bedrooms. I take care of everything roommate related. Anyway, one of the girls is completely irresponsible. She doesn't take care of her cat. She...
• Doesn't clean out the litter box (which stinks up the entire house). Before she moved in she agreed to do it once a week min.
• Doesn't provide him with enough food or water
• Let's him have free run of the house (he's supposed to be either in her room or outside) and cause damage
• He's a violent, uncontrollable pet
When he's in the house he scratched things, gets into stuff, and makes a mess. She won't clean it up. When I confronted her about it she basically told me I was sh** out of luck, that she had to work and didn't have time for him. She has a lease so she can't just leave. I can force her to get rid of the cat but that would cause so many problems and she'd try to leave. Every time I get near him he scratches me. What should I do?

I own the house. She has a pet deposit. I'm just not willing to take care of him anymore. I looked into having someone else come take care of him but it would cost $40/day. That would eat up her deposit (which I'm probably going to need when she leaves). He woke me up four days this week by meowing at my door (at 6:00). When I try to get him he scratches me (usually in the face). I'm afraid that if I tell her to get rid of the cat she'll try to move out and I'll have to take her to court :( It doesn't look like I have much of a choice though does it?

Answer 1

Technically if she signed the lease with you did you include a clause regarding pet ownership? Did she verbally agree with you on the care of the animal? Hopefully she is reimbursing you for the damage to the household furniture, carpeting, repairs to the walls etc.. the unhealthy conditions that spring from the unclean cat box (pest infestation?) If not perhaps you can see if there is a way out of the lease via this damage and unhealthful situation. The cat isnt really the problem here. It is her lack of care and respect for you and your fiance and for the well-being of the cat. ASPCA anyone?
It may be your best bet, even if financially it would be a hardship for you to have her move, to "allow" her to get out of her lease. It isn't in your best interest to have her treat you with such disdain and disregard for your property.

Best of luck in what you choose..

Answer 2

Talk to her again, but it sounds like she's the type who's a bit lazy and won't change her disgusting habits anytime soon. They're her cats, so I wouldn't go about cleaning up after them; that's her responsibility. It isn't really criminal abuse, as one "top contributor" put it (seriously, I don't know why some people are given that title), it's just unsanitary, they still have food water and shelter, but their box is dirty so no wonder the kitties aren't using it! Ask her to put it in her room. If she refuses, remind her gently that it's unsanitary, her cats are suffering from her neglect, and the house stinks, you're stuck together for ten more months, so it's her responsibility as a pet owner, a roommate, and a decent human being to clean the damn box! Or at least get a second box so her cats aren't as desperate. If she still refuses to clean up or put the box in her room, put it in her room anyway while she's out, or take a baggie, clean out the cat poop, and leave it in her doorway. Then again, I'm the passive-aggressive type, but she should get the hint. :3

Answer 3

Call whoever owns the house and complain. tell her that the lanlord said she has to get the cat spayed /neutered and declawed if it were to stay any longer. Then if she refuses tell her that the landlord said if this dosent happen then the cat is to go. also suggest to the landlord that she pay a seperate deposite with the cat. but be sure your clear with the landlord what your up to. 9 chances out of 10 she wont want to comply with these rules and get rid ofthe cat. Have the landlord write the letters as new rules for every tenant so as to raise suspision to you guys.

Answer 4

I would confront her again and if she says, "I work. I don't have time for him," you need to tell her that if she doesn't have time to take care of her own cat, she should think about giving him to someone who does have time for him. Animals are somewhat like children. They need to be taken care of DAILY and need attention, too.

Either that, or you can charge her a pet deposit so that can cover the things that the cat ruins.