American Versus European Cat-Adopting Policy: Reddit Debates Over Girl Rehoming Her Roommate's Kitten

Carolyn Mullet

It was an unnecessary misunderstanding between two girl roommates because of the differences in cat-adopting rules in the USA and Europe countries. There is an idiom "When in Rome, do as the Roman do", but are things always working out that way? Today we will explore an awkward situation between an American cat and his European owner.

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: Excited Cats (photo used for illustration)

The story took place in the USA and was told by a Reddit account name u/catproblem97 on the viral subreddit r/AmItheA**hole. The original poster moved in with her foreign friend, who adopted a cat. The roommate didn't keep the kitty indoors because she said it was common in her home country, which made the OP extremely worried about him. Regardless of how much she explained it wasn't the case in the US, her friend didn't change her mind.

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: u/catproblem97

One night, the tabby came home with an injury in one of his legs. His owner didn't take it seriously so the OP had to bring him to the vet. The roommate didn't even mind feeding her cat daily or cleaning the litter box. As a result, without telling the roommate, the OP reported the case to the animal shelter, where her friend got the cat. They found her violating the contract, requested to take the tabby back, and "blacklisted" her from adopting another cat. Finding the truth, the owner went rampage and crashed the OP's laptop alongside their friendship into pieces.

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: u/catproblem98

American Redditors sympathized with the OP and cheered her up since she had taken care of a cat that wasn't even hers and managed to protect him from getting an accident outside. She had done her best and deserved neither the blame nor her belongings destroyed. She shouldn't feel guilty for her roommate's loss because that girl had never been worth having a pet accompanied.

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

They assumed somebody just wanted to have a little creature existing in their life without willing to put his (her) heart and soul into tending the animal. Plus, the OP needed to ask the roommate to recoup her broken laptop or inform her to take her to a small court if she refused to pay back.

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

Redditors from Europe countries found it messy and biased to take the OP's side totally. They infirmed that locking cats inside the house was considered animal abuse in Europe and they were not happy with American rules to keep cats indoors. Besides, the OP could report the case but not turn back the tabby because he was none of her business. Even though she did it since she cared about the cat, she could be sued for kidnapping the cat. She should have let the rescues work with the kitty's owner.

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

American Versus European Cat-Adopting PolicySource: r/AmItheAsshole

We hope, in the future, no animal lover has to deal with the same complicating situation. We would like to ask for your opinions. Please hit the like-share button and comment below to let us hear your point of view!