You child's pet

[Anonymous]

While my kid was away at college, I watched her pet of course.

Now she is graduated, and looking for a job. When she is here, she is responsible for all of its care.

My assumption was that when she moved away, she would take it with her. Now she seems to be lukewarm about that. Reminding me, for example, how nice it is for me to have the cat's company.

I think she is realize how hard it is to travel when you have a pet, the expense, etc.

Should I insist she take it...or just let her decide?

[Anonymous]

I'd let her decide, for the cat's sake.

[Anonymous]

Just keep it. One more thing for her to enjoy when she comes home.

[Anonymous]

It’s hard to move a pet, especially a cat, to a new environment. If she’s traveling a lot she would have to board it or get someone to watch it. If she lives in an apartment it might not be a safe area for a car to get outside. If it’s indoor/outdoor now moving strictly indoor wouldn’t be good for it either. I’m sure she misses it dearly and is trying to do the best thing for her pet. You should accept it’s your pet now, but you can have her pay for the cat / dog food and vet bills.

[Anonymous]

A pet belongs to the adult who allows it into the household, not to the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A pet belongs to the adult who allows it into the household, not to the child.

Agree!!

[Anonymous]

She has to decide. My cousin left her cat to her mother. And then got new cats and also left them with her mother! Luckily they have a weekend home where the cats can roam freely.
We have 4 pets, and I fully expect to care for them for their natural lifespan.

It's nice when you can use pets to draw your kid back in...

[Anonymous]

When was this cat procured? It sounds like high school?

If so, then to me that is the family cat and lives at the family home.

[Anonymous]

How much do you mind having the cat? How old is the cat? Can you just catsit when she travels?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While my kid was away at college, I watched her pet of course.

Now she is graduated, and looking for a job. When she is here, she is responsible for all of its care.

My assumption was that when she moved away, she would take it with her. Now she seems to be lukewarm about that. Reminding me, for example, how nice it is for me to have the cat's company.

I think she is realize how hard it is to travel when you have a pet, the expense, etc.

Should I insist she take it...or just let her decide?

That cat is more attached to you than it is to your daughter. Also, cats do not like to move so, be kind to the cat, keep it with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While my kid was away at college, I watched her pet of course.

Now she is graduated, and looking for a job. When she is here, she is responsible for all of its care.

My assumption was that when she moved away, she would take it with her. Now she seems to be lukewarm about that. Reminding me, for example, how nice it is for me to have the cat's company.

I think she is realize how hard it is to travel when you have a pet, the expense, etc.

Should I insist she take it...or just let her decide?

That cat is more attached to you than it is to your daughter. Also, cats do not like to move so, be kind to the cat, keep it with you.

My cats have moved several times with me and they're fully adjusted within a few days. I don't think that should be a factor.

[Anonymous]

… do you want to keep it?

[Anonymous]

I refuse to take care of anyone's pets, OP. I do not want the responsibility. I am free to go wherever I want, whenever I want, and nothing depends upon me for survival. That's the beauty of having adult offspring. They are no longer my responsibility, and neither are their pets or their children.

[Anonymous]

How old is the cat, OP?

There are two issues:

1) what *should* happen in an ideal world, and

2) What is likely going to happen in the real world.

When you are talking about a living creature, don't get caught on the *should* situation. If it were a closet full of clothes, it could go to Goodwill or the trash or end up on her doorstep; under the idea of teaching the kid consequences. But a living creature needs to be protected. Just do what's best for the cat.

[Anonymous]

How old is the cat?