A man has sparked debate after refusing to let his elderly mother return to their shared home with two kittens and a puppy, citing his allergies and aversion to pets.
The conflict, detailed in a post on Reddit’s Am I the A—— forum, began when the man’s mother sold her house eight years ago to help raise his infant son after his wife’s death. At the time, she moved in with two cats and two dogs, creating what he described as a “hectic” living environment—especially difficult due to his cat allergies.
After six years, his mother relocated across the country to live with a new partner, giving him respite. However, six months ago, she mentioned plans to adopt two kittens and two puppies to replace her since-deceased pets. The man warned her to reconsider, stressing he would “never live with a cat again” due to allergies, litter box frustrations, and their small home’s limited space.
Despite his objections, his mother adopted a puppy three months ago, followed by two kittens. But when her relationship ended—reportedly over the puppy’s stress—she announced her return to their co-owned home, pets in tow.
“I told her NO cats,” the man reiterated in his post, explaining her rebuttal: She argued that since she sold her home to support him and his son, he shouldn’t deny her happiness. She offered to keep the cats confined to her small bedroom but lacks funds for separate housing. Ending his plea, he asked Redditors: “AITA for refusing to live with these cats?”
Mixed Reactions Online
Commenters were divided. Many sided with the man, calling his mother “selfish” for disregarding his health. One user, also allergic to cats, urged him to stand firm: “Non-allergic people don’t understand how horrible it is to live with allergens.” Others noted the legal complexities, pointing out that as a co-owner, his mother may have rights to keep pets.
“You cannot dictate terms in a house she co-owns,” one reply read, suggesting they sell the property and split proceeds. A minority defended the mother, emphasizing her past sacrifice and proposing compromises like allergy medication or allergen-reducing cat food.
The debate highlights tensions between familial obligation, health concerns, and shared ownership—leaving the man weighing compassion against personal comfort.
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