Money Moral Dilemma: Should my housemate repay me for looking after her cat?

maisie_cat

Congratulations, you are now a cat slave

dirtmother

It's too far too late to be asking this question. It's also a mistake to tot up what you've paid out - psychologically but also you've been rather unfair including cat toys etc you've chosen to buy. You won't be getting any money back - the time for that was when you were buying food and especially when you were paying for the vet.
However, you are a much less skanky person than your housemate who adopted a cat against your wishes but hasn't taken financial responsibility and is leaving it behind. And even less skanky than the person here who suggested that rehoming the cat when the housemate moved out was the right course of action.
You have been taken advantage of. But you have the cat and your decency. You still win.

Pollycat

My housemate adopted an older cat. I didn't agree as we're both busy people, and told her I wouldn't be responsible for its care. But I ended up looking after it while she was away, and began buying it food, toys etc. I bonded with the cat and, now my housemate's moving out, I've taken over formal ownership, paying to have its microchip updated etc. With vet bills and other costs, I've spent over £1,000. Should I ask my housemate to contribute, considering the cat was supposed to be hers?

The answer is in the question.

P008981

You can ask, but don’t be offended if the answer is no.  You have willingly taken over formal ownership, with all the rewards of owning a pet as well as the financial burden.  You are clearly a good person, but you were not forced to do so and could have insisted she rehouse the cat. I wish you many years of joy of owning a pet.  

pollypenny

No.  You said you'd bonded with the cat, so enjoy it. 

Augustus_the_Strong

No - too late. 
The most you could do is say, 'you know, that cat's cost me a lot of money', & hope old flatmate stumps up fifty quid or whatever. Ofherwise you'll have to content yourself with tut-tutting at all the expenses ex-flatmate didn't spend on the cat. 

sptigress

No, you chose to adopt the cat knowing that you would need to care for it. Absolutely ridiculous question!

SteveSi

There is always the final solution - have your housemate put down...

TiggMogSpats123

Your cat, your costs.  You’ll find that the pleasure/companionship you get from having an animal in your life will more than compensate you for your expenditure.

XRAT

No. You adopted the cat, you pay for it. If you wanted payment you should have fostered it.