Hey everyone, I’m a junior in college living in a house with three other students. One of my housemates will be graduating this May, but they all seem pretty excited about getting a cat. The cat they have in mind is about 5 years old, and I’m not really sure if it’s a good idea. I told them my concerns, but they seem pretty determined.
Our situation is like this: we live on a busy road with a speed limit of 55 mph, so cars are constantly zooming past. We keep the doors closed all the time, though. The house is big but quite old, and there’s also a bit of a mouse problem. We could make it safe for a cat, but I’m still not sure. We have a plan for the cat to stay somewhere during breaks, and after graduation too.
Anyone got advice or reasons I can bring up to my housemates about why this may or may not be a good idea?
Teegan said: @Ty
Good point. That’s one of my worries.
If things get tough, you might have to reach out to your local humane society or animal shelter for advice. They might say to bring the cat back to a shelter or rehome it yourself because a lot of shelters are overcrowded. Honestly, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with a cat near a road with a 55 mph limit, even if it’s meant to stay indoors. There’s always a risk it could get out.
I think getting a pet before your living situation is stable is risky. A cat can live for 10+ years, and during that time, there will be job changes, travel, and new relationships that could complicate things. Also, pets can cause stress between housemates, especially if someone isn’t doing their part. It just seems like too much to add to a shared space.
@Phoenix
Totally agree. When it gets overwhelming, the responsibility might just fall on the person who was unsure about it in the first place, and then the cat ends up needing to be rehomed.
The cat might help with the mouse problem, but everything else sounds like a bad idea. The main issue is ownership. Whose cat will it be? Who takes it home on breaks? What happens if one of your housemates lets it out and it gets hurt? Pets are best left to individuals who can take full responsibility.
Your housemates should wait until they graduate and have stable jobs before getting a pet. They’re probably thinking, ‘Oh, a cat would be cute,’ without considering the cost of food, vet bills, and everything else. It’s not fair to the animal.
@Nyx
That’s exactly what’s happening. They’re all about how cute the cat is, but not really thinking about the work involved. Unfortunately, I’m outvoted, so I might just have to go along with it.
Teegan said: @Nyx
That’s exactly what’s happening. They’re all about how cute the cat is, but not really thinking about the work involved. Unfortunately, I’m outvoted, so I might just have to go along with it.
Check your lease agreement. There might be a no-pets rule that could give you a solid reason to avoid this situation.
Teegan said: @Nyx
That’s exactly what’s happening. They’re all about how cute the cat is, but not really thinking about the work involved. Unfortunately, I’m outvoted, so I might just have to go along with it.
Be firm with them. Tell them it’s not fair to the cat or responsible to get one without thinking it through. Sometimes you have to be the voice of reason, even if it’s not popular.
Teegan said: @Nyx
That’s exactly what’s happening. They’re all about how cute the cat is, but not really thinking about the work involved. Unfortunately, I’m outvoted, so I might just have to go along with it.
Don’t let them make you responsible for the cat. If they want to go through with it, make sure they take full responsibility and have a plan for who’s paying for what.
@Raleigh
Make them write up a ‘cat contract’ that outlines who will do what, including paying for vet fees and who takes care of the cat daily. This could be a reality check for them and might make them reconsider.
Unless everyone’s 100% on board, getting a pet isn’t a good idea. Pets can become a major point of tension. Also, group pets don’t work in the long run. If one person is ready to take on all the costs and responsibilities, that’s different, but if not, it’s just a bad setup.