Cousin wants to rehome loyal cat that he's had for years because the feline hisses at his new girlfriend of 6 months and no one else: 'He would only be rehoming it to please his girlfriend'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
May 14, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

Cats are family. We thought that was a simple fact that every single cat owner knew. But no, apparently we were wrong. Apparently, some people don't understand that adopting a cat means taking responsibility over that cat and having the cat until the end of its life, or until the end of yours. And we don't understand it. We, as people who have cats, don't understand how people can abandon their cats so easily, so carelessly, so callously. People abandon their pets over the smallest things. 

People abandon cats when they move. People abandon cats because suddenly the cats start "bothering" them. Heck, we have even read a story, just a little while back, about someone abandoning their loyal cat of 15 years because their new girlfriend doesn't like cats and then having the audacity to ask the shelter to console them because they felt guilty. And here comes another one - another person who has had their cat for years just throwing the cat away because it hisses at their new girlfriend. These people don't deserve cats in the first place. 

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  • 01

    "[Would I be wrong] if I told my cousin he’s making a mistake by rehoming his cat because of his new girlfriend?"

    Why would someone get rid of a pet they have known for years just because their partner says so?
    via crochetthesoul, Unsplash /

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

  • Our first instinct, with stories like this, is to get angry. It's to be so, so angry at the person who dare get rid of their cat because of something like this. But you know what? After about five seconds of anger, we think to ourselves that maybe it's a good thing. Maybe, if someone is willing to get rid of their cat this easily, then they don't deserve to have that cat, and the sooner they help the cat find it's actual forever home, the better. 

  • 02
    My cousin has had a cat for a few years. He rescued the cat (it was not in a good home before my cousin got it). As a result, the cat has bad anxiety and doesn't like new people. My cousin has done a wonderful job of making sure the cat is comfortable, safe, and loved. It is clear he loves the cat a lot.
    via crochetthesoul
  • 03
    Recently, my cousin recently got a new girlfriend. I do not know how long they have been together, but I know it is less than six months, and I do not know exactly how 'serious" the relationship is. Apparently, the cat hisses at his girlfriend whenever she comes over.
    via crochetthesoul
  • 04
    This is strange because the cat does not hiss at anyone (it is doing better now that it lives with my cousin). Because the cat acts out around his girlfriend, my cousin said he is going to be rehoming it.
    via crochetthesoul
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10504542720
    via Unsplash / Daria Shatova - dariasha911

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

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  • 06
    I think this is ridiculous. It will probably take the cat some time to get comfortable with a new person, and there's also a chance that this relationship may not last anyway. Why would someone be willing to get rid of a pet they have known for years just because their partner says so?
    via crochetthesoul
  • 07
    If my cousin does end up rehoming it, that would be completely out of his character (which is also why I believe he would only be rehoming it to please his girlfriend).
    via crochetthesoul
  • 08
    I want to say this to my cousin, though much nicer than how I worded it here, and without the part about the relationship may not work out. But at the end of the day, it is not my pet.
    via crochetthesoul
  • 09
    I want to say something to let him know I think he's making a mistake and that rehoming the cat isn't fair to the animal. But at the same time, it's his life and his pet, so I worry it would be overstepping. He did not ask for my opinion, nor is it really my place to say something.
    via crochetthesoul
  • 10
    I am seriously considering reaching out to express how I feel. Though I am worried it could upset him or come across as me overstepping. But staying silent feels wrong to me.
    via crochetthesoul
  • 11
    Cheezburger Image 10504543488
    via Unsplash / Daria Shatova - dariasha911

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

  • 12
    GarnicaGroovy Did he come to that conclusion on his own or did the gf make him come to it?
    via GarnicaGroovy
  • 13
    crochetthesoul OP i think he did on his own
    via crochetthesoul
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10504542464
    via Unsplash / Daria Shatova - dariasha911

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

  • 15
    You just said the cat has bad anxiety and doesn't like new people. Why wouldn't it hiss? It doesn't mean that it will warm up to the GF either because the anxious cat seems to know that the owner's attention is not completely on the cat anymore. Grow up. This is a healthy alternative for the cat if it is not acclimating toward the GF.
    via reddit
  • 16
    crochetthesoul OP It hissing at the gf is the only reason why my cousin is thinking of rehoming it. And it is weird that my cousin would give it up for someone he has known for a short period of time, IMO
    via crochetthesoul
  • 17
    Cheezburger Image 10504543232
    via Unsplash / Daria Shatova - dariasha911

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

  • We don't know what the result of this story will be, not yet. The only thing we're truly hoping for is for the cat to be happy. 

  • 18
    Isopod Busy4363 If he's willing to rehome the cat then that says well enough on its own, but you can try to convince him still
    via IsopodBusy4363
  • 19
    According-Pen-927 You're right that it's his life, so he's gonna do whatever he wants. But, I would talk to him. Not necessarily bring up that the relationship might not last, but remind him of how the cat was before his hard work with it and ask him if he's comfortable knowing someone else may not treat the cat as well as him.
    via According-Pen-927
  • 20
    Most people would rethink their decision after that, but if he chooses to go ahead with the rehoming... at least you know he's a dumb little sh and hopefully that cat will be better off without him.
    via According-Pen-927
  • 21
    Fanky_Spamble It's an interesting situation because if he'd REALLY get rid of the cat just because of that then the cat deserves someone who loves it more. As long as he'd make sure wherever the cat goes that it's well taken care of, it's fine. I'd definitely think less of him as a person if he'd do this though.
    via Fanky_Spamble
  • 22
    I don't think you telling him what you think would make you an a_h_le but there really isn't anything you can do about it unless you'd be the one keeping the cat.
    via Fanky_Spamble

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aww wholesome cat adorable drama cute girlfriend cute cats story Cats cousins
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