‘Your SIL should never have another pet’: Mother gives up their 3-year-old family cat for adoption because it was "too much", then adopts a brand new kitten 2 months later

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 2, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Howdy, feline fam. We like to think that there is good in everyone here at I Can Has Cheezburger, but we also know that some people can't be reasoned with. We can be okay with some people not liking cats, we can be okay with people thinking it's okay to put pineapple on pizza, but we can never be okay with people who treat their pets like toys. Toys that you can just get rid of whenever they're no longer fun, without a second thought.

When you adopt a cat, it is a 10-to 20-year commitment. You don't just get rid of them when they're no longer convenient. You made a pawmise to them to love and care for them their entire lives, and to break that promise is unforgivable. So, we understand this purrson's dilemma with the thread below. Their sister-in-law gave up her 3-year-old cat for adoption because it was too much with the cat and her two kids, and then two months later, adopted a new kitten. Hypocritical much?

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  • 01

    My SIL gave up her 3 year old cat 2 months ago (dropped at shelter) and texted me today she got a new kitten

    'They see pets like toys you can just collect and discard on a whim.'
    via Vinícius Rodrigues de Souza

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

  • 02
    2 months ago my SIL informed me that she could no longer care for their family cat and dropped him off at the shelter. She had just had a new baby and felt it was too much to care for her 2 kids and their cat. The cat was around 3-4 years old and adopted as a kitten. I was
    via TofurkyisPeoplee
  • 03
    shocked that she dropped him off without a second thought of rehoming him, especially because their county has a high rate. The cat belonged to my 7 year old nephew and I knew he would be devastated as well.
    via TofurkyisPeoplee
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10523754240
    via mlehmann66

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

  • 05
    Well today she sent me photos of their new kitten, adopted from a shelter. I could not believe it. I haven't texted her back because I am extremely upset and in shock.
    via TofurkyisPeoplee

  • We…. we don't know what we would say to her. Our parents told us that if we didn't have anything nice to say, then we shouldn't say anything at all. And we definitely don't have anything nice to say.

  • 06
    DoingltF... You can't control other people's actions, and the damage is done. If the cat wasn't adopted, and we know 3-4 year old cats have far less of a chance at adoption than kittens, then it likely got put down. It was a senseless and
    via DoingItForEli
  • 07
    cruel act. You either let it destroy your relationship, whatever state it may be in, or you let it craft your perception of your SIL but otherwise don't comment on it. That's up to you.
    via DoingItForEli
  • 08
    Me personally? If this was someone I knew? I would end up running my mouth off, because that's my personality type. Cats, dogs, pets in general, we're their advocates, and what your SIL did was a complete abandonment of that responsibility, and a betrayal to that poor soul. You should also know this mouthy way about me has resulted in very few friends.
    via DoingItForEli
  • 09
    For you? Likely just keep this person away from any "trust zones" from now on. She's shown you who she is.
    via DoingItForEli
  • 10
    I know this goes beyond typical posts seen in this subreddit but honestly, the way people treat pets like accessories they can just throw away, it's really part of a broader topic in animal cruelty and I'm subscribed to this subreddit to be amongst those who view animal cruelty towards cats in same light I do, so I hope this discussion is allowed to remain.
    via DoingItForEli
  • 11
    I think it's safe for me to speak on behalf of the entire subreddit when I say we share your aggravation on this.
    via DoingItForEli
  • 12
    Super_Selection1522 Notifiy all the shelters that she is an adopter dumper. They will put her on a no adopt list.
    via Super_Selection1522

  • Older cats have so much more difficulty getting adopted than kittens. Imagine having your whole life upended on a whim, everything you knew about your life was about to change because someone decided you weren't fun anymore. It's terrible.

  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10523754496
    via Hiang Kanjinna

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

  • 14
    paisleycatperson My petty a would refer to the new one by the old name every time so she never gets to forget. And feign ignorance at every correction. Ask her to remind you.
    via paisleycatperson
  • 15
    Glad_Bobcat92 Wow, that's incredibly frustrating, cruel, and careless of your SIL.
    via Glad_Bobcat92
  • 16
    Personally, I would ask if she picked the kitten up at the same shelter that she dropped off the family cat
    via Glad_Bobcat92
  • 17
    Or just figure out where the family cat went, see if it was adopted and if not foster them until you can re-home to someone who would love to have a more mature cat
    via Glad_Bobcat92
  • 18
    Churchie-Baby So a cat is too much work but a chaotic bundle of energy that is the kitten is fine? Lol delusional
    via Churchie-Baby
  • 19
    justafriend97 My sister had a dog that she never trained and would scream in a kennel all day. The neighbors complained so much that my sister was facing eviction, and she eventually gave the dog to my mom.
    via justafriend97
  • 20
    A year later, my sister got a puppy. Thankfully, this one was a lab mix, and they actually kind of crate trained him, but still.
    via justafriend97
  • 21
    She also had 3 cats, and they all "ran away." These people never learn. They never grow.
    via justafriend97
  • 22
    Low-Cod-4712 I would anonymously inform the shelter. Many shelters have specific criteria to adopt, and dumping their previous cat is a red flag to a good shelter.
    via Low-Cod-4712
  • 23
    nothing2fearWheniovr Your SIL should never have another pet.
    via nothing2fearWheniovr
  • 24
    Snowy Sasquatch I wouldn't text back either.
    via Snowy_Sasquatch
  • 25
    SmellsPrettyGood2Me With people like this, you can't really say or do anything. They see pets like toys you can just collect and discard on a whim. I would ignore any messages about the new cat and if she brings it up just change the subject.
    via SmellsPrettyGood2Me

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adoption strange kitten animal rescue adopted cat rescue Cats loving cute kittens animals rescue
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