A Reddit user sparked debate after asking whether she would be wrong for rehoming a stray cat that her boyfriend had grown attached to, citing her own cat’s severe stress response to sharing a home with another feline.
The woman, a content creator who features her pets in viral videos, explained that she and her boyfriend live on a farm with her orange cat, Golden Retriever, and his Labrador puppy. While their existing pets coexist peacefully, the dynamic shifted six months ago when a stray orange cat appeared on their property.
After discovering the cat had no microchip or missing-pet listings, the couple provided outdoor shelter, including heat lamps and a heated cat house, during winter. However, the woman emphasized that bringing the stray indoors was never an option—her cat had previously nearly died from stress-induced illness when introduced to another kitten, resulting in $4,000 in vet bills.
With warmer weather, the stray has been more active outside, triggering territorial behavior in her cat, including litter box avoidance and constant patrolling. “I asked my boyfriend if we could rehome the stray or take him to a shelter,” she wrote, but he became upset, admitting he had grown fond of the cat.
Though she initially dropped the issue, she now plans to give the stray to a coworker seeking a pet, arguing it would thrive in a dedicated home while easing her cat’s anxiety. “I know my boyfriend will be sad, but my cat’s health comes first,” she said.
Reddit Reactions: A Divided Response
Commenters largely agreed rehoming was the best solution for the animals’ wellbeing, with one noting, “After $4K in vet bills, it’s obvious the stray can’t stay.” However, many criticized her intention to act without her boyfriend’s consent.
“It’s inconsiderate to go behind your partner’s back,” one user argued, while another advised, “Put your foot down, but don’t deceive him.” The discussion highlights the tension between pet welfare and relationship dynamics in shared decision-making.
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