Money Moral Dilemma: Is it wrong I don't want to adopt the cat I feed and have to pay vet bills?

MSE_Kelvin
MSE_Kelvin Posts: 385 MSE Staff
Seventh Anniversary 10 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
edited 7 March 2023 at 3:00PM in Pets & pet care
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

Last summer, a cat began coming into my house. It didn't have a collar and looked thin, and when it began spending most of the day at mine, I started buying it food. Eventually I found out it belonged to a neighbour, who has several other pets. They asked if I wanted to adopt the cat since it now effectively lives with me. I said no, because to me that just means paying vet bills... the neighbour didn't seem happy. Am I in the wrong, or should they be thankful I'm already paying for their cat's food?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

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Comments

  • hairywalrus
    hairywalrus Posts: 15 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Clearly this.
    I don't see this as a money dilemma to be honest. Putting myself in your neighbour's shoes, I'd find it very odd to be aggrieved that you wouldn't want to adopt the pet that is in fact mine. You're well within your rights to say no.

    Cats are often very promiscuous in general, and presuming new ownership based upon it being fed elsewhere seems a strange stance to take.  I would more say in the direction of the neighbour that they "clearly don't want to accept the responsibilities of pet ownership".

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