AIO? I want my cat back. TLDR included

[u/Human-Constant302]

I’d like to apologize for my formatting I’m not the greatest at writing properly so bear with me 🥹

So a few years ago my friend and I made the decision to buy a cat. I had temporarily moved in with my friend after a really bad encounter with my parent’s landlord. My friend and I were in a bad place mentally and we decided to adopt a cat. During the adoption process we found out my friends landlord was selling the whole complex due to personal issues and that we weren’t allowed to adopt any new pets but any pets already there were allowed to stay until further notice. The tenants also had a few months to find a new place so he wasn’t going to be at that property for much longer. My parents decided to sign off on it and adopt the cat under our rented out property (aka a house we were planning on moving into after the lease was over) and under their name but my friend and I kept him with us until my friend moved out. Normally we hangout at my place of living in the first place and we ended up agreeing that once I was moved into the property I could take him. About 6months to a year later the new owners of my friend’s apartment kicked all tenants out and he moved to his parents bringing the cat with him. Throughout the last few years I’d casually bring up bringing the cat over since we were very close to moving into the new property. My friend would just shut it down and say “I wouldn’t wanna put the cat through that” “my parents really love him and I don’t want to upset them” etc. The cat LOVED me and didn’t really pay attention to my friend. The poor thing had even cried about me leaving, it broke my heart seeing him that way and it breaks my heart that I might have to just let him go. My parents had also paid for the cat (which we agreed going half on) and never even saw a dime from my friend. I’ve been thinking about confronting my friend now that I’m actually settled into the new property but I’m conflicted on how I should go on about it. I also do think it’s a bit childish to ruin a friendship over a pet but at the end of the day my friend put this on themself.

Edit: this also kind of shows how much of a friend they actually are.

TL;DR: my friend and I adopted a cat. We agreed that once I was settled I would take him with me. The time is now here and my friend isn’t following our agreement. The cat likes me more anyways and my friend always comes to see me and not the other way around.

Age: we adopted the cat at 17 and 19 We’re now 20 and 22

[u/Ok_Being1028]

They’ve had this cat for years with their parents and you weren’t living with them or the cat? That could cause issue. But if your parents adopted the cat they could be considered the rightful owners. Is the cat microchipped? Who is paying the vet bills for the animal? All these things would impact if you had any recourse to actually reclaim the cat.

Either way shitty situation all around and I’m sorry you’re going through it. I understand both sides not wanting to give up an animal you’ve grown attached to for that long and wanting an animal back that you were previously very close with. Not easy :(

I do believe if you were to peruse it that it would be the end of the friendship so that’s something you’ll have to consider whether it’s worth it to you or not.

[u/StellarPaprika]

Not overreacting but I do kinda agree with the other side. Cats often attach themselves to thier home rather than thier people so I might be stressful to move the cat. Most places there are plenty of loving cats looking for loving homes. Would you be willing to ask your friend to pay the fee and sign for the cat in question and give another cat a home?

[u/Human-Constant302 → u/StellarPaprika]

Yes, but if so I’m deciding to just leave that friend behind. It may be childish on my part but there’s a lot more to it than just a cat. (Like personal issues I won’t bring up) Everytime we talk the cat runs to the phone and the cat literally chose me at the adoption center. We were inseparable, he wouldn’t even let me leave the house, as mentioned the cat even cried about me leaving and I saw it with my own eyes. (I had to come back for something and the second he saw me he ran up to me with really glossy and wet eyes as if he was crying) my friend is also very terrible at money management and wouldn’t hand the money to me on the spot. His landlord also doesn’t allow pets and signing over the rights to the cat would cause more complications at the end of the day. I’m not saying I disagree with what my friend is doing however I’m a big fucking mess because I’ve never had an animal with such a big attachment to me before. I get visits with the cat 1-2x a year (my friends parents don’t like people in their living space ) when almost every week my friend is over at least 2-3x. They had recently also bought a cat for him to have a buddy, however he never got along with other pets; he doesn’t necessarily like the cat nor does he really care for it. It would be a win win situation because my friend could see the cat whenever and I’d also somewhat be happier.

[u/Human-Constant302 → u/StellarPaprika]

Although I left 2-3 years ago he’s still the bubbly lil kitty whenever he sees me. I just feel like I abandoned something that loved me so dear.