Irresponsible college student dumps cat at [ex] boyfriend's dorm before going on vacation, BF steps up to the plate for the fluffy feline: 'She had no financial or physical capacity for a cat'

Author image for kalila courban
kalila courban
Mar 9, 2025 4:00 PM EDT

Hey pals, for the love of all things good, let's get one thing straight—cats are living, breathing animals with hearts full of love to give. Yes, they do have feelings, and when you take in a cat, you're making a commitment that lasts anywhere from 12 to 20 years. That's right, years. They have basic needs—food, water, a clean litter box, and a little attention. That's it. They don't demand much from you, with a few exceptions, but if you're not prepared to care for a fluffy feline for the long haul, then you're simply not ready to have one.

Unfortunately, today's featured debacle is a prime example of what happens when someone ignores this reality. The original poster (or OP) shares the story of his now ex-girlfriend, who decided on a whim that she needed a cat—despite lacking both the financial stability and the physical capability to care for one properly. OP tried to reason with her, warning that it wasn't a smart decision, but she dismissed his concerns and went ahead with the adoption anyway. It didn't take long before she realized that, shocker, a cat required more responsibility than she was willing to give. Instead of stepping up, she made the wildly irresponsible choice to dump the poor feline at OP's dorm—an hour away from her own campus—before jetting off on vacation.

As fate would have it, OP and his girlfriend had a falling out during her trip, which led to their breakup. Her response? "You can keep the cat. I don't want it anymore." Just like that. OP, from the bottom of our hearts, let us tell you—you dodged a bullet. If this story teaches us anything, it's that a person who is willing to abandon an innocent animal is a walking, talking red flag and is absolutely unworthy of OP's time, energy, or love.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement

  • Faced with this unexpected situation, OP turned to the wholesome cat-loving corner of the internet for advice—seeking guidance on how to handle it and, more importantly, how to give this sweet feline the life he deserves. And in the end? OP decided to keep the cat, ensuring that he would never again be left behind by someone careless. We couldn’t be more thrilled with this decision. Here’s to a long and happy life for OP and his new furry best friend!

  • 01

    "Was babysitting my gf's cat while she was on vacation. We sort of broke up midway and she doesn't want the cat anymore..."

    Well this is a rather complicated situation. Me and my girlfriend are currently freshmen at different colleges. At the start of the school year, she started to really, really want a cat despite my telling her that she had no. financial or physical capacity for a cat because 1. shes broke 2. she lives in a small college dorm.
    via vietnamese_kid
  • 02
    Anyways, she didn't listen to me and last month we got this cat. She's been primarily taking care of it, but when during breaks or whatever when she travels with her family I've been babysitting it at my dorm. Of course she complained about her responsibilities and duties as a cat owner and the hassle that comes with ownership, not like I didn't tell her that beforehand.
    via vietnamese_kid
  • 03
    She's away on vacation and while I was babysitting the cat, we got into a pretty heated argument leading to a breakup. She says that I can keep the cat and that she no longer wants it.
    via vietnamese_kid
  • 04
    Don't get me wrong, this cat has grown on me since we got it, but I am in no situation to take care of this cat. Living in the dorms, the cat barely has enough space for himself and I know the whole moving from one dorm to the other (our colleges are an hour car ride apart), sometimes to my house, etc can be stressful for the cat.
    via vietnamese_kid
  • 05
    What's the best way to ensure this little thing gets to a nice home?
    via vietnamese_kid
  • 06
    Nyararagi-san ⚫ Was the cat adopted from a shelter by chance? If so, I would give them a call and explain the situation. Even if the cat isn't from a rescue, I think this situation is definitely an appropriate time to contact a rescue.
    via Nyararagi-san
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10477429248
    via Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 08
    GusAndLeo • Yes, this is a good point. Many shelters and rescues stipulate that if the cat is no longer wanted, it needs to be returned there.
    via GusAndLeo
  • 09
    Alternate Reality 5926 · 21h ago . It's alright if you don't want to keep the cat. There are so many comments suggesting leaving the cat at your house, leash training, or even getting financial help. All great advice, take them only if you REALLY want to keep the cat. It can be a commitment of 12-20 years or more. It's better to get in touch with local shelters and rehome the cat than giving it a poor quality of life. Cats are aloof but single ones don't do well if they're left alone for long pe
    via AlternateReality5926
  • 10
    Cheap-Bell9640 . Be glad your relationship with someone who can so easily abandon a living thing is over before you got too deep. You should find a way to keep the cat
    via Cheap-Bell9640

    Spot on!

  • 11
    • mikehippo 20h ago Spot on. Anyone that could treat a cat like that is trash, good riddance. You seem like a decent chap trying to do the right thing, the very best of luck to you.
    via mikehippo

    Amen!

  • AN UPDATE FROM OP:

    “Update: Hi everyone, . Thank you so much for the considerable feedback and advice. After looking through each comment one by one, I think I'm going to go ahead and keep the cat. It might be a rather bumpy ride until I graduate, but I think he's doing well so far and will be in it for the journey.”


     

  • 12

    "Here’s the little cutie in question!"

    Cheezburger Image 10477428736
    via vietnamese_kid
  • 13
    Comfortable_Bat3124 13h ago Beautiful cat! Look into free spay/neuter and vaccination clinics! There may be one near you.
    via Comfortable_Bat3124
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10477428992
    via Syda Productions

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 15
    pwolf1111 23h ago I think rehoming is the best bet. I think it is a mature decision and puts the cats needs first. The cat is going to spray everywhere. Look into low cost clinics near you.
    via pwolf1111
  • 16
    ApocalypticTomato • 19h ago Every year when the college kids go home, they dump pets they never should have had. It's infuriating. I'm p at your ex gf, and sorry for what is now your cat. At least you aren't ditching it in a field. Contact your local shelters. Someone should be able to help. It'll still be traumatized and I...am I at your ex
    via ApocalypticTomato
  • 17
    • Super_RN 23h ago Please take the cat. Your dorm is a hundred times better than a small cage at a shelter. A litterbox, a food bowl, water bowl, cat scratcher and cat bed is all you need. Cats are not disposable. Your ex is an a-hole for just abandoning the cat like it's no big deal.
    via Super_RN
  • 18
    • brokenheartedaughter 15h ago This feels like divine intervention. Name the cat lucky and thank god you got a furever friend instead of a nightmare girlfriend.
    via brokenheartedaughter
  • 19
    juen1234 . 1d ago A dorm is a million times bigger than a 4x3 cage with a bunch of other smelly and loud animals around which will happen if he goes back to a shelter. Just make sure he has clean water, food, soft places to lay, a window, a scratching post, some toys, and a clean litterbox.
    via juen1234
  • 20
    Coyote Petard • 23h ago I think a dorm could be an okay home for a cat, and car rides can be stressful but they'll get used to it, and you could use a little cbd if it was way too stimulating. But it sounds like you kinda might want to keep him, just the way your talking bout the little guy. This could have been meant to happen. And as for "her", you dodged a bullet bro! Can't believe she's willing to just up and abandon both of ya. Shame on her.
    via CoyotePetard

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

wholesome hilarious cat adorable heartwarming cute felines cute cats goofball feline sweet goofy silly Cats funny
Scroll Down For The Next Article