18-year-old triplets kindly adopt grandmother's cat, only for their cousin to show up a year and a half later claiming the cat is hers, threatening to call the police or steal him: 'She suddenly grabbed Tom'

Our cat's needs should always come first.

It's difficult, in certain situations, especially when it comes to animals that you love, to think of what is best for them instead of for you. In breakups, for example, when there are cats involved, suddenly, there are custody battles over the cats. Both partners may want the cat, but ultimately, it's the cat who should choose who to go with. And cats do choose their humans. You cannot argue with them. They will run away from you and straight to their chosen one if you try, so you might as well listen from the get-go.

Cats bond with their humans in ways that non-cat owners could never understand. They miss us when we're gone, they show their love for us in whatever ways they can, and breaking that bond will leave the cat a shell of what it used to be. That was the fear for the triplet cat owners in this story. Their grandmother's cat who was given to them after she could no longer take care of him bonded with them - truly and fiercely. So when their cousin showed up out of the blue, demanding the cat, because it was "legally" hers, that… created some problems. But the cat has to come first.

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"[Am I wrong] for refusing to give a cat I've had for a year and a half back to his 'rightful' owner?"

via Unsplash / Tucker Good - tuckergood

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via Unsplash / ahmet hamdi

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This is one messy situation, and we can truly see that, but we think that the cat has made the decision for all of you. The cat knows where he belongs, he knows who his humans are, and he knows who deserves to get hissed at- straight in their face. No matter what, you need to keep this cat with you, because you are now his home. If your cousin wants a cat so desperately, there are plenty looking for a home at all times, and one of them would be much happier with her than Tom ever could be.
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via Unsplash / Daria Glakteeva

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We're glad that the internet agrees. If there is one thing that we can always count on when it comes to feline cat community is them taking the cat's side in every argument. As it should be. And honestly, we fully believe that Tom is in good hands. We can tell, straight from the screen, that in your home, he is loved and cared for. And we know that you would not let him go back to where he is not.
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via Unsplash / Noah Moquin - citrusthetoad

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^{cute crows hanging around in nature}
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