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

MSE_Kelvin

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?

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sheramber

You shouldn't feed somebody else's cat.  

That is why it keeps coming to your house.

If you don't want responsibiity for it, don't encourage it by feeding it.

Marmaduke123

Stop feeding it and letting it in your house. You clearly don't want to accept the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Frequentlyhere

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 in my opinion.

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".

REJP

Stop feeding it.

ginger_chocolate

This does seem like an actual dilemma for once tbf. Trying to think what I would do is tough....
You are certainly not under any obligation to adopt the cat, but personally I'd be a bit worried about it's welfare if the neighbour was so willing to palm it off on someone else (I cannot imagine ever doing this with one of my cats). Also, whilst you shouldn't really have started feeding someone else's cat to begin with, it would break my heart to stop if the cat has come to rely on it
I'd probably have a chat with the neighbour, try and suss out why they are proposing this. Is it because they are trying to be kind and think the cat prefers you, or is it because they can't take on the responsibility of pet ownership themselves? Maybe you can come to some sort of agreement/understanding, or you can help them to find another alternative owner who will give the cat the care it needs.

hairywalrus

Clearly this.

Frequentlyhere said:

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".

Bonnypitlad

I can see no fault in what you are doing, you started feeding a hungry cat, naturally it will want to spend time with you
The “ owner” should thank you for relieving her of some of the cost of food, I wonder if the owner has had the cat neutered?

kam0108

Is this for real surely not? 

Don't steal someone's else's pet by feeding it , then refuse to take responsibility for said pet. In my view your lucky the neighbour is being nice and offering you the chance to adopt it . I'd be devastated if my neighbour did this to me . How would you feel if after much soul searching and heart ache you thought well I've lot my pet anyway so might as well do the decent thing? 

So yes you really need to buck up your ideas poor cat 

keithyno.1

You've got a very strange view of pet ownership when you say, "to me that just means paying vet bills."

So it appears you want the companionship all the time that the cat offers, but none of the responsibilities that go with it?

This isn't a money moral dilemma in my view, more an illustration of your personal morals. If I were the cat I'd quickly do one and get back home.

honestcove

You want the benefit of pet companionship without the burden of pet ownership.  

Doesn’t sound morally ok to me.