'Why don't you give him away': Neighbors Ask Person To Get Rid Of Their Pet Cat Because Their Kids Are Allergic To It

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jun 6, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

For some reason, it seems that cats visiting their neighbors always causes some kind of drama. Usually, it's innocent. Your cat goes out, your cat sets up camp in a neighbor's house, your cat gets extra treats, and then comes back home, and all is dandy. Other times… your cat might become famous in the neighborhood, and that may be for good reasons or bad ones. You won't know until you know. 

Today, sadly, it happened for bad reasons. Apparently, the neighbor's kids are allergic to cats. Tragic but not their fault, can't blame them for it. What you can blame them for is asking their neighbor to get rid of their cat. Now, we get it, allergies can be really, really bad. But so is asking someone to give away their pet. Some solution has to be reached here, so this person reached out to the internet hoping to get some help. What do you think they should do? 

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  • 01
    Posted by u/Clean-View5362 4 days ago AITAfor not giving my cat away eventhough my neighbors kids are allergic to him?
    via u/Clean-View5362

    Look, this may seem like a clear-cut case, but it's a bit more complicated than that. The answer is obvious: no, you do not give your cat away because your neighbor's kids are allergic to it. You just have to try to make sure that your cat does not interact with those kids as much as pawssible. 

  • 02
    I got a lil cat almost a year ago now. We live in a house decided to two apartments. My neighbors live upstairs and didn't had a issue with our cat. Recently I allowed my cat to go downstairs where the basement is( he likes it there bc there are a lot of spiders and I think he likes the huntin idk he's scared of going outside so that's what he does) and
    via u/Clean-View5362

    And it seems that the people under this thread are more or less in agreement with us. There is nearly nothing in the world that would make us say that it's better for someone to give away their beloved pet cat. 

  • 03
    went up 2 times because he was curious (wich was wrong ik) two weeks ago the neighbor knocked on our door and was like: my kids have really bad allergies of hair from animals. So then I said: fine we're not gonna let him go out again. My cat always meows now and annoys us bc he wanna go downstairs but we don't let him go anymore. Now someone was like why don't you give him away.
    via u/Clean-View5362
  • 04
    or bring him to an animals shelter. Because I think: WHY SHOULD I CHANGE MY LIVE FOR SOMEONE ELSE I already try my best to keep the hair away I clean a lot and don't let him go downstairs. AITA ????
    via u/Clean-View5362
  • 05
    Rockpoolcreater · 4 days ago Why not buy your cat a harness and see if you can harness train them - do it inside first, get them used to walking by your side on the leash before going outside. Then once they're used to the leash, carry them outside with it on to have a look around for a short time. Then, if they're OK, build it up to a bit longer and try putting them down for a quick walk. If they get used to it, then you can start taking them for regular walks to keep them entertained.
    via u/Rockpoolcreater
  • 06
    Clean-View5362 OP 4 days ago Thats a really good idea thank you imma try that
    via u/Clean-View5362
  • 07
    YouthNAsia63 · 4 days ago . edited 4 days ago Sultan of Sphincter [611] Get your cat some more toys and a cat tree/tower to entertain him since he can't go to the creepy basement to chase spiders anymore. There is no reason for your cat to be bored and less active just because you have allergic neighbors.
    via u/YouthNAsia63
  • 08
    Tell your opinionated acquaintances that think you should get rid if your cat to go pound sand. It's none of their business what you do, have, keep in your apartment, especially since your cat will now be kept in your apartment and is not out roaming the building. Cats care fine living inside, especially when properly stimulated. NTA 1.2k Reply Share
    via u/YouthNAsia63
  • 09
    Kindly-Film-5485 4 days ago . edited 4 days ago NTA. But, if it's only two apartments maybe the ventilation is shared? Maybe they need an air purifier or check* if it is something more that their kid is allergic to. You can easily make your own air purifyer. DIY - air purifyer
    via u/Kindly-Film-5485
  • 10
    An allergy to cats* doesn't mean that the hair from the cat is causing symptoms. Usually the allergy comes from the cats saliva, urin or dander. So maybe the dander can come through the ventilation if it's shared? I don't think it's in any way your problem however. But it might be good to be informed.
    via u/Kindly-Film-5485
  • 11
    Hopeful-Material4123 4 days ago Enthusiast [5] NTA...asking you to be more mindful of the cat hair was reasonable. And you, in turn, were very reasonable by not allowing your cat to get close to them. Now your cat does not go near them. They have no right to ask you to get rid of the cat. That is insane. If the neighbor is so concerned at the mere idea that a cat lives upstairs then they should move. What the
    via u/Hopeful-Material4123
  • 12
    NotCreativeAtAll16 4 days ago Craptain [189] NTA. Just don't let him out of your area. I seriously question why you thought it would be OK to allow him to explore areas that aren't yours.
    via u/NotCreativeAtAll16
  • 13
    Civil-Community-405 4 days ago Partassipant [1] NTA. It's great that you took your neighbor's concerns seriously and stopped letting your cat go downstairs. It sounds like you're doing your best to balance everyone's needs. Hang in there!
    via u/Civil-Community-405
  • 14
    • Ok_Boysenberry_722 4 days ago . edited 4 days ago NTA. Do not under any circumstances get rid of your cat because of your neighbor. If your neighbor wants to ensure that what other people do and have in their own space doesn't effect her or her child then she needs to ge in a single family dwelling. She either needs to purchase her own home or rent a house. Or if she's incapable of doing that then looks for an apartment building that doesn't allow pets at all. YOU have done what is acceptable
    via u/Ok_Boysenberry_722
  • 15
    Duckie1986 4 days ago • NTA for not getting rid of the cat, but you need to get the cat more enrichment toys. He's screaming to go downstairs because he can get the stimulation he needs when he's down there.
    via u/Duckie1986
  • 16
    lonedroan 4 days ago Partassipant [4] Assuming we're just talking about cat staying in your apartment versus getting rid of the cat, NTA. There is nothing from this story that comes close to supporting a third party's suggestion that you get rid of the cat entirely. So those suggesting that are TA(s).
    via u/lonedroan
  • 17
    The exchange with your neighbor seems perfectly normal. You messed up slightly by letting your cat loose in public spaces, your neighbor asked you not to do that for a very good reason, and you agreed to stop doing it. YWBTA if you kept letting your cat out of your apartment.
    via u/lonedroan
  • 18
    Pale_Wave_3379. 4 days ago NTA. Do not get rid of the cat, that's a wild request. Continue to not allow the cat into common areas because that's not cool. Get more things for your cat. Enrichment in their enclosure
    via u/Pale_Wave_3379

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