Animal rescue demands unemployed pawrent return their fluffy feline because of "ethical" reasons, owner rightfully refuses: 'They are being extremely inappropriate and unreasonable’

There are so many cats in the world that need our help that we don't quite understand why someone would want to take a cat out of a loving home and put it back in a shelter - especially if it's the shelter that's trying to do it! As long as the cat is being loved and taken care of, why do they care where the cat goes? Well, that's exactly the kitty conundrum the pawrent below is facing in this pawsitively ridiculous post. 

It's hard enough being a single pawrent these days, but even worse when you're unemployed. After finding a new job in a different state, the rescue shelter called them and asked them to return the cat, who had become purrfectly adjusted to living with their new hooman owner. They stated "ethical" reasons, but we can't imagine what kind of reasons would require a good pawrent to return their cat just because they're moving. You have to read it to believe it, so read through the full thread below!

Author image for Blake Seidel Blake Seidel
Advertisement
  • 01

    Animal rescue wants my cat back because I'm moving

    'I told the rescue the cat is not going anywhere without a court order'
    via dimaberlinphotos

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Advertisement
  • 02
    So I adopted a cat from a private animal rescue where I live about six months ago. The cat is wonderful and we get along well but I am moving several states away due to not being able to find work in my feild.
    via u/
  • 03
    The rescue contacted me asking to come visit my house and I told them no, because I was packing up to move. They stated that's "unethical" because they will no longer have access to the cat and that they want to make sure I'm not al sing him. It doesn't say in the contract I'm not allowed to move out of state and take the cat with me.
    via u/
  • 04
    I told the rescue the cat is not going anywhere without a court order. I don't want to let them in the house because I'm in the middle of packing up and I'm worried they will attempt to snatch him.
    via u/
  • Advertisement
  • 05
    K8inspace • 15h ago Make sure your cat is chipped to you before moving. They have no reason to come to your house after six months. They should have done their due diligence and done that six months ago if they were concerned.
    via u/

  • Need another laugh? Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly serving of the silliest cat content!

  • 06
    Bwuaaa 16h ago You have the papers for the cat? Nothing they can do then
    via u/
  • 07
    FrancisOfTheFilth_ Francis Of TheFilth_ 15h ago . Please read through your contract and do not let them into your home. They are screaming about ethics when they want to take the cat away from the person they are now most familiar with, they are being extremely inappropriate and unreasonable
    via u/
  • Advertisement
  • 08
    . proudboiler 15h ago This is f ed up, i'm sorry. I don't know why some rescues do this. I've read some rules on a couple rescues websites that require potential adopters to live in a 50 mile radius of the rescue.
    via u/
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10494569984
    via Africa images

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 10
    Marsupialize • 15h ago Do they seriously not have other cats to worry about homing right now?
    via u/
  • Advertisement
  • 11
    selkieisbadatgaming • 15h ago Considering how many people dump their cats because they're moving, I'm kind of shocked they are mad about this. That's your cat, you aren't renting him from the rescue. Just ignore them if possible.
    via u/

  • Yeah, this is so true! You're not renting the cat, it's no longer theirs - you adopted it, paid for it, took it to the vet, got it microchipped… that cat is 100% your propurrty. Sorry, we meant to say that you are now 100% the cat's propurrty!

  • 12
    peacock head 15h ago Once you adopt the cat it's yours, not theirs anymore. Some rescuers really struggle with boundaries and letting go and this seems like one. They are treating you like you're fostering. Just totally bizarre. I'd remind them you
    via u/
  • 13
    adopted the cat and just like you'd be responsible for selecting a vet and treatments and paying for them, they no longer oversee the care of this animal. This should be their goal. Weirdos.
    via u/
  • Advertisement
  • 14
    aspenjohnston3 • 15h ago Once you adopt that cat, they shouldn't need to have access to it for any reason
    via u/
  • 15
    SlightlyAngyKitty • 15h ago What are they gonna do, repo your cat? Tell em to go f themselves
    via u/
  • 16
    ADOPT DON'T SHOP
    via FatCamera

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Advertisement
  • 17
    likeawolf 15h ago This is the kind of ridiculous sh that keeps backyard breeders and weirdos on Craigslist in business. No normal person wants to deal with this invasion of privacy and accusatory attitude. I'm glad I found my cat on the street.
    via u/
  • 18
    . Realistic_Damage5143 15h ago That's so weird. Home visits aren't unheard of but normally occur quite shortly after adoption. It's been 6 months. Maybe to just get them off your back can you suggest to do a quick video call and you can show them your cats
    via u/
  • 19
    living conditions and that your cat is in good health, or send them any recent veterinary paperwork. I would definitely leave a google review of the rescue tho bc this is really invasive behavior and telling you you can't leave the state is absurd.
    via u/
  • Advertisement
  • 20
    Esoteric_Librarian • 15h ago . Just keep moving and block their number. Then leave. Cut all contact.
    via u/
  • 21
    If you paid an adoption fee for the cat especially, they can do nothing. Legally speaking? The cat is your property
    via u/
  • 22
    And as you said, their contract doesn't specify you not moving. They have no legal recourse and you owe them nothing
    via u/
  • Advertisement
  • 23
    scienceislice • 15h ago If you want to be nice you can send them a video or some recent vet paperwork but otherwise tell them to GTFO. What the h I, you're allowed to move with your cat.
    via u/
  • 24
    sidewaysorange • 15h ago . ignore them move and keep it moving.
    via u/

For a weekly dose of animal-themed community challenges - Subscribe to our Newsletter!

Can't get enough of ICanHasCheezburger? Find us on Instagram!

Tags

refuse demands drama animal rescue fluffy-felines unreasonable parenting ethics pawrents pet drama Cats unemployed animals
Scroll down for the next article

Also From I Can Has Cheezburger?

Trending Now

Person abandons loyal cat of 15 years because their new boyfriend "doesn't like cats", then expects the shelter to console them because they feel guilty: 'You should feel guilty'

Person abandons loyal cat of 15 years because their new boyfriend "doesn't like cats", then expects the shelter to console them because they feel guilty: 'You should feel guilty'

01
'He is a special needs cat': Bobcat who was injured as a kitten and cannot be released back into the wild gets adopted and instantly forms ameowzing bonds with the family deer, dog and house cat

'He is a special needs cat': Bobcat who was injured as a kitten and cannot be released back into the wild gets adopted and instantly forms ameowzing bonds with the family deer, dog and house cat

02
20 Mood-Boosting Cat Memes to Start Your Day with a Pawsitive Vibe

20 Mood-Boosting Cat Memes to Start Your Day with a Pawsitive Vibe

03
Void Cats and Their Chosen Companions: 20 Wholesome Feline Friendships to Melt Your Heart

Void Cats and Their Chosen Companions: 20 Wholesome Feline Friendships to Melt Your Heart

04
Feline-loving kid forced to surrender her childhood cat, but writes touching letter to potential pawrents to help her get adopted: “I will miss him but if he’s happy, I’m happy”

Feline-loving kid forced to surrender her childhood cat, but writes touching letter to potential pawrents to help her get adopted: “I will miss him but if he’s happy, I’m happy”

05
25 Cute Cats Being Cats and Embracing Their Unapologetically Unphotogenic Vibes

25 Cute Cats Being Cats and Embracing Their Unapologetically Unphotogenic Vibes

06
Advertisement