21-year-old cat mom forced to give her newly rescued kitten to animal rescue instead of leaving it with ex's family, who thinks cats belong outside: 'You did the right thing'

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Nov 6, 2025 12:00 PM EST

If we had a genie that could grant us one wish, it would be for all the people who take care of cats to never have to worry about money or resources for their cute kitties ever again. Imagine never having to pay for cat food or litter ever again, or even better yet, not having to worry about something as ridiculous as "pet rent". But, unfurtunately, not all cat lovers are able to take care of their cats with the care that they need. One of them is below, and this cat mom is being forced to make an impawssibly difficult decision: give her newly rescued kitten to an animal shelter or leave it with her ex's family, who thinks cats should only live outdoors?

She and her now ex found a smol kitten two weeks before their breakup. Now that they're separated, his family is forcing them to move out, and her father is severely allergic to cats, meaning she can't take the fur baby with her. The ex's family has made it purrfectly clear how they feel about cats, so what's this momma to do? Give her kitty up for adoption, or leave it with people who just want the cat to get back at her?

As hard as it must be, she made the tough choice to give it up for adoption. Kittens get adopted all the time, and this kitty deserves to live with a loving family. We feel for her, but in the end, she did what any good pawrent would do - she put her cat first. Send her some good vibes after you read through the story below! 

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  • 01

    Am [I wrong] for giving away my cat to a shelter over my Ex’s family?

    Orange kitten indoors including 'They just want the cat so you can't have it'
    via Leo Malsam

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I 21F and my now ex bf 24M were together for nearly 5 years but recently broke up.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 03
    Two weeks before we moved out we had found a kitten in the streets. We tried keeping it at his family's place temporarily but his aunt had said, "Put that freaking thing back outside, I don't want a cat in this house!" With the rest of the family agreeing.
    via Technical_Axolotl42

  • Whoa, red flag alert! Anyone whose first reaction to a tiny kitten is “get that thing away from me!” is not someone we want anywhere near our cat. We wouldn't trust them with even a Tamagotchi pet. This cat deserves to be with a family that loves him, not someone who thinks he is disgusting.

  • 04
    The family was not the biggest fan of animals; especially cats borderline hating them. So we kept the cat with a friend until we moved out.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 05
    Small kitten in hand
    via Lucia Kindernayova

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    When we broke up, him and his entire family cut contact with me, and his family forced us to break the lease.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 07
    They had maintained contact with my dad and brother to facilitate information so the process could be smooth.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 08
    My dad had told me that aunt felt strongly that they keep the kitten, and I said absolutely not.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 09
    The kitten was legally mine, and did not feel comfortable giving it to them knowing their stance on animals.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 10
    I wanted to keep the kitten but I couldn't because my dad was severally allergic. I really didn't want to give it to them.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 11
    Cat relaxing in cat bed
    via Sergej Karpow from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 12
    I had told my dad, if they want him that badly and feel that strongly they will ask me directly.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 13
    At least if they asked me, I know that they are serious about wanting him and not just doing it to get back at me.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 14
    But I was told that was way too unreasonable and that it would never happen, and not in a million years they'd directly ask me.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 15
    I tried asking coworkers, family, and friends if they could take him and they all said no.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 16
    So, it was between giving it to a family who doesn't like animals and didn't want him in the first place.
    via Technical_Axolotl42

  • In giving him up, she is giving him the opportunity to find his furrever family, to live indoors, be well-fed, happy, and healthy. We never want to see cats in shelters, but sometimes, it's honestly the lesser of two evils. That's certainly what it sounds like here.

  • 17
    Or give it to reputable no-kill shelter who could adopt him out quickly because he was cute still cute and little.
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 18
    I choose taking him to the shelter, AITA?
    via Technical_Axolotl42
  • 19
    Cheekiemon2024 · 1d ago . You did the right thing. Screw them. Heartbreaking but hopefully he gets a home quickly.
    via Cheekiemon2024
  • 20
    whichwayis_west ⚫ 1d ago Personally imma say NTA; the expressed disdain for animas and despite whatever happened between you two, that cat deserves a loving home
    via whichwayis_west
  • 21
    gogrannygo21 · 1d ago NTA. AT all. At the shelter the kitten will get neutered, fully vetted, sheltered, fed and his future family will have him because they wanted him enough to go to a shelter and go thru the adoption process.
    via gogrannygo21
  • 22
    With your ex's family he will probably be thrown outside to be an outside cat. No neutering, no shots, no shelter and maybe fed...plus be vulnerable to predators. Outside cats live very short lives (in general) The kitten will have a good and healthy life because of the choice you made for him
    via gogrannygo21
  • 23
    T8terTotss • 1d ago . If the shelter's reputation holds up, then that's your best option
    via T8terTotss
  • 24
    AllieGorrey 1d ago Edited 1d ago If they really want him, they can go adopt him from the shelter Edit: NTA
    via AllieGorrey
  • 25
    Pi edliberalgranny 1d ago . They would have tossed him outside and not given him any veterinary care whatsoever. He's better off being adopted out of the shelter. You did the right thing.
    via Pi**edliberalgranny
  • 26
    . _-Raina-_ 1d ago NTA I'm severely allergic to felines as well and I'd keep it in my closet before letting someone that might be mean to him have him. You definitely made the right choice.
    via _-Raina-_
  • 27
    CynicalNextDoor ⚫ 1d ago NTA, tou did the best you could considering there was no one in your circle able to take him in and provide the cares it needs
    via CynicalNextDoor
  • 28
    Connect-Advantage-40 1d ago • NTA Baby kitties are adopted quickly. Considering the overall attitude of that family a shelter is a great choice. If you have time you can always volunteer at the shelter and see him regularly. Things have a way of working themselves out. Your kitty will be fine.
    via Connect-Advantage-40
  • 29
    Buffalopigpie 1d ago • NTA. they just want the cat so you can't have it. That cat would have lived a miserable life outside. You did the right thing
    via @
  • 30
    Nearby_Albatross_111 1d ago NTA. They don't want the cat for the cat's sake. They just want to use the cat to get back at you. They know you want the cat so they don't want you to have it. Just take it to the shelter, but tell everyone you found it a home. If they ask for details say "this guy Joe I used to work with" or some like that.
    via @
  • 31
    1000thatbeyotch 1d ago. . NTA. You couldn't guarantee his safety where he was. You made the most ethical decision.
    via 1000thatbeyotch

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cat mom kitten animal rescue outside feline cat rescue forever home Cats cute kittens animals rescue
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