Hey everyone, not sure where to post this, but I need advice. My ex-wife got a temporary restraining order against her after she abused our child and attacked me. The trial is in two months.
She left her cats at my house, and I honestly don’t have time to take care of them properly. I work two full-time jobs and take care of my kid, so adding pets on top of that is just too much.
She can’t take them where she is now, and they were always her responsibility. What can I do with them?
Cats are pretty low-maintenance. Just put out food and water, clean the litter box every few days, and they’ll be fine. Your kid might enjoy having them around too.
Brooke said:
Cats are pretty low-maintenance. Just put out food and water, clean the litter box every few days, and they’ll be fine. Your kid might enjoy having them around too.
Cats do need care. They need fresh food and water daily, and the litter box needs to be cleaned. They also need attention and playtime like any other pet.
You can’t just dump them. Either take care of them yourself or find someone to do it until she can take them back or make other arrangements. This should be brought up in court.
You should ask your lawyer to get in touch with her and figure out what she plans to do.
@FatherFigga
It’s really not that hard. Put out food and water, scoop the litter, and that’s it. Especially if your kid likes them.
Talk to your lawyer. They’ll probably tell you to keep them until the court date. If it’s too much, you might want to look into boarding them somewhere. You could try to get her to cover the cost, but good luck getting that money back.
Have your lawyer tell her she has two to four weeks to figure something out and arrange for someone else to pick them up. Otherwise, let her know you’ll rehome them.
If you have a lawyer, have them reach out to hers and set up a plan for the cats.
People here are more worried about the cats than you and your kid. If you can’t handle them, take them to a shelter. That’s what shelters are for.
Valentina said:
People here are more worried about the cats than you and your kid. If you can’t handle them, take them to a shelter. That’s what shelters are for.
A lot of shelters just euthanize cats, especially if they’re older. And why are you acting like taking care of two cats is some impossible task? They don’t need constant attention, and if the kid likes them, rehoming them might do more harm than good.
@Brooke
It’s not just about physically caring for them. OP is dealing with a restraining order, a trial, two jobs, and raising a kid alone. That’s a ton of mental load. Having two extra living beings to be responsible for might be too much right now.
Feeding, litter box cleaning, flea treatments, etc.—it all adds up. And let’s be real, if he’s working 80 hours a week, his kid is probably at school or daycare most of the time too. These cats aren’t even his responsibility; they’re hers.
Cats don’t need much. Get an automatic feeder and water dispenser from Walmart and clean the litter every now and then. You shouldn’t just dump them because your ex isn’t around. Maybe she can take them after the court case is settled.
This forum always sides with cats lol. Ask your lawyer first, but if your ex won’t take them back, you’ll have to rehome them. Try posting in a local Facebook group—someone might be willing to foster them until you can figure out a long-term plan.
You’re overthinking this. Just give them food and water and spend a little time with them when you’re watching TV. No need to teach your kid that pets are disposable.
Does she have a friend or family member who can take them? I don’t think you’re supposed to contact her with the restraining order, but maybe your lawyer can.
You either keep them or find a responsible home for them. Don’t take them to a shelter where they might be put down. Look for a rescue group on Facebook.
Also, if they’re bonded, separating them could stress them out. They’re not that hard to care for, and they probably don’t understand what’s going on either.
Does your kid care about the cats?
Daisy said:
Does your kid care about the cats?
No, he’s 4 and has autism. He chases them, they get scared, and they scratch him.
Daisy said:
Does your kid care about the cats?
No, he’s 4 and has autism. He chases them, they get scared, and they scratch him.
That’s a big problem. These cats are probably terrified, and it’s not a safe situation for your kid either. Legally, pets are property, and unless these are some rare breed, they don’t have much monetary value.
Give her a deadline—say 30 days—to rehome them, or you’ll do it yourself. In the meantime, start looking for a good home for them. Don’t dump them at a shelter or hand them over to just anyone. They deserve a safe, stable place.
@Kingsley
Don’t break the restraining order to tell her that. If she cared about the cats, she wouldn’t have left them behind. Priorities: your child comes first.
SERENITY said:
@Kingsley
Don’t break the restraining order to tell her that. If she cared about the cats, she wouldn’t have left them behind. Priorities: your child comes first.
You can do this legally. Have your lawyer handle the communication so you don’t break the restraining order.