Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How can you explain to a spoiled-rotten ten-year-old that she cannot claim a cat as hers? She brought it in about a year ago as a starving 3-week-old kitten, and simply left it (hungry, the creature was meowing pitifully) confined in my room while i was pulling a double shift one night a week later. I came home, no one was home, and the cat was under a cardboard bow with a book on it in the centre of the floor.

Since then, I've littertrained it, gotten it vet care, i clean its litterbox daily, always make sure that it has food and water, and play with it. What has she done in that time? Nothing outside of getting jealous when it shows me affection, suddenly "having homework" when it's litterbox needed cleaning, and (the topper) saying "it's my cat, i named it!" when told that no, it was not her cat since i have been pretty much solely taking care of it for the better part of a year. She is not my child, nor family, so i feel weird giving a speech on responsibility, as that is her family's job, but this is driving me crazy.

Since she isn't your family and is only a child I wouldn't bother argueing with her. What's the point. Just smile. And know when you leave the cat is going with you.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

Ok, let me see if I understand this. 1 year ago, this child brought a kitten to your room and left it unattended in a box and went away. You came home to find a kitten! The child isn't yours or family however you took the kitten, raised it, had it taken care of by the Vet, fed it and loved it! Is that about the picture? She is 10, you don't argue with her or tell her anything. You tell her parents or whoever is responsible for the child that she needs to understand that when she left it hungry for you to take care of the cat became yours. She gave up her right to that kitten when she abandoned the kitten=not her kitten. If she had a kitten then her parents would be doing all that for the cat, but she doesn't have a cat. But don't bother arguing with the kid. She doesn't have a cat.....you do!!! End of conversation.
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PHWildCat/Tessa and 18 cats, 1 dog and even a hamster
Cat Board Monitor and Chat Host
Pet Hobbyist
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

I agree with both Jaime and Wildcat. You are older, wiser and 100% more responsible. Tell her to go out and find another cat to 'name'.

Don't even bother arguing with a 10 year old.
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Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!