How do I get my kitty back?

Question

Well...
My little brother was allergic to cats and we gave the kitty, Cuddles, to our cousins to look after her. After a year, my brother was fine with cats. Today we finally got to go back and see our cousins to get the cat back and celebrate Thanksgiving...but now they say it's their cat and they won't give it back. Actually they put the choice on a 5 YEAR OLD and she says it's her cat, it wasn't mine in the first place, and we gave it to her. She won't be moved. My mom is crying with Cuddles, the other adults don't care, and I am about to cry... they don't care. Please give me something to say to them that will make them change their mind :(

Whynot-Yes, they did. They did clearly. And I know.

o...yeah!-YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! My parents got her when I was 4. I have been attached to her ever since. You probably have never had a cat before that you actually loved. And it's hard because they are 7, 5, 4, and 3 years old...they must cause her so much grief and stress.

HarleyQuine-She isn't...they are really mean to her they pull her tail, they tackle her, and they rough house her around.

LolaC-She likes us better. But they just refuse to give her back.

JohnySmith- We have tried...many, MANY times...and they don't care they say it's theirs and it's their choice

jlindirt- the 5 year old doesn't care they are never home anyways. and i am 11 dude! don't break a child's heart by taking away a cat that i have had for most of my life!

Kathyw, you dont know HOW MAD your answer made me. WE HAVE A CAT AND HE PLAYS WITH IT AND ADORES IT!!! We have 2 dogs. You people don't understand how hard it is to have a pet STOLEN from you with you knowing!
It is impossible to predict the future. So don't act like it is people...we didn't know when his allergies would stop. We have tried everything. Don't think about me, will you...MY HEART WILL BE BROKEN BY A 5 YEAR OLD.
So please use some common sense and JUST answer the question instead of telling me it's not right.

and btw kathy did you read the conditions it was in? it barely has attention, it lives in very high altitudes (loveland), and just because they love the cat doesn't mean that the cat loves them. actually consider the cat.
and we would never of put Cuddles in a pound or get her euthanized because my little brother was young and still getting used to everything. we knew the allergies were only temporary.

You have NO clue about my brother, or my family, so stop. We already have dogs. They aren't attatched to her they just don't have any other pets and since we do it isn't fair. You don't know how much Cuddles means to my family.
She isn't perfectly fine. She misses us.
And, we have a cat that ONCE AGAIN, I say he loves and adores. His allergies are NOT back. Note he was younger than 5 when we gave the cat to them to watch after, and guess what? WE CAN'T SEE THE FUTURE.
WE DIDN'T KNOW WHEN HIS ALLERGIES WOULD STOP.

Answer 1

OMG, I hope your cousins let you have your cat back. This does not seem fair @ all, especially if they knew from the beginning that they'd only be taking care of Cuddles temporarilly & that you expected to bring her home tonight. Maybe you can calmly remind them of the conversation about Cuddles not belonging to them, but only being in their care til your bro's allergies were resolved.
It's so sad that your mom is in tears over this & they're letting a 5-year-old make this decision-- I'm not saying she wouldn't miss Cuddles but kids @ that age very often don't know what they want & make "serious" decisions on the whim of the moment-- I've known enough young kids, inside & out of my family so I've seen this a lot.
For most of the spring & summer, my SO & I fostered a dog who belonged to some neighbors who had moved. We had him so long (and his family *never* came to visit him) that we'd begun to think of him as "our dog" but eventually his people decided they had room for him after all & took him home-- this was a surprise & we totally miss him but my SO has been to see him several times & he's so happy to back with his family & that's what's important.
I'm glad your brother's allergies have gotten better-- allergies are kinda strange & they can go away unexpectedly, & I've seen this more in children than in adults.

Answer 2

You can't get a gift back that you gave to someone, especially a cat. If you give an animal, or anything, for that matter, to someone 'to take care of' for awhile, you have to tell them how long that while is going to be. Then you have to get them to agree that they must give it back by a certain date and guess what - you had better have that in writing!
These cousins were doing you a favor, taking your cat from you when your little brother was allergic. Some people would just put the cat in the animal shelter and possibly, it would be adopted by strangers or possibly and more likely, they would euthanize the cat (put the cat 'to sleep').
The cat is alive and loved and in a new household. If you took the cat back and your brother's allergies started to act up again (they would, no doubt in my mind), you would give the cat back to the cousins.
You can't do that; take the cat back and forth and expect people not to get attached to the cat. It's also confusing to the cat, I think (although some cats can deal with it better than others).
Your mom may be crying but tell her that the cat's comfort is what she should be thinking of. Don't waste your tears on a cat that is perfectly fine. Just get another cat - but in this case, I really think your brother is still going to be allergic. So, then, just get over it. Get an animal he is not allergic to - a short haired dog or another type of animal.

Answer 3

there are numerous techniques to getting what you want. Try explaining to your cousin that you were just letting her borrow it and stress that learning to borrow is important.

Or tell your aunt and uncle the whole situation and WHY you gave the cat to her in the 1st place and shed some tears.

And if you really have tried everything, think about your familys relationship. Are you and your cousins family very close? If so........ tell your cousin how much you care about Cuddles and that you'll get her a new kitty for christmas/ holidays. If not.......... tell your cousins family your leaving in the morning. Pack your bags and leave in the middle of the night with Cuddles. Besides, if you oringinally purchased Cuddles, so they cant argue or make a good case. the farther away they live the better. besides, cuddles truley is yours.

Answer 4

Don't break the 5 year olds heart. If they have had the cat for a year, they are attached now. If your mom wants a kitty, she she go get another one. Its not good to pass the cat back and forth anyways.

Answer 5

If the cat's happy and healthy there then as hard as it might be you should leave it there. Can people develop a tolerance to cats if they're allergic? Never heard of that happening. If your mum and you are so upset why not go to a shelter and adopt another cat? There are plenty that need your time and love.

Answer 6

Explain to the 5 year old how much more exciting puppies are ; and that you will take her to pick up a brand new puppy to replace the kitty.And explain how you and your mom are heartbroken without cuddles, and she can name the new puppy cuddles!!

Answer 7

tell them the truth. the cat means alot to you, and you will be really REALLY sad without the cat. and also tell them that a 5year old wont take good care of the cat. and that you will.
hope that helps

Answer 8

That's terrible. Did they understand this was temporary?

Answer 9

I think you should see who the cat likes more. (Be sure to stuff your pockets with catnip).

Answer 10

it is just a cat... get a new one!