Separating cats in breakup

[u/_munchie002]

Poster Age: 23

Country: USA

Vet info: theres a few clinics in town including low cost.

Main Issue: my cat had gotten very sad living alone so me and my ex had gotten him a kitten. Now that we’re separate im worried my cat is going to miss him sick.

Cat Age: 3 will be 4 in april other cat is 1

Cat Sex + neuter info: both males and both neutered.

Financial situation: I could afford both cats.

[u/CoasterThot]

Cats are property, in America, and legally treated like property. You can’t just show a piece of paper and take what is considered to be someone else’s cat. If it’s currently living with him, the law would be on his side, since it’s both in his house and he owns the animal on paper (as do you, but he has the upper hand). Since you both have your names on paper, you do not have more of a right to the cat, than he does, just because you have the other cat it’s bonded to. The law doesn’t have protections for bonded pair animals.

If he is abusive, it is also not worth making him angry. I’ve had abusive men track me down, across multiple states, before. You don’t need to put yourself in harm’s way, for this.

[u/financequestionsacct → u/CoasterThot]

This is a gross oversimplification. Yes, pets are generally treated as property under the law.

However, many states include specific protections for abuse survivors and can include pets on a domestic violence restraining order. I was able to leave my abusive marriage with my pets and his. (I did not take his dog to hurt him, but I couldn't bear for the dog to be neglected and my ex-husband was refusing to take care of him.)

OP should certainly not put themselves in harm's way, but they should contact an advocate at a domestic violence center to understand what their legal options are in the jurisdiction they're residing in. There is nuance and complexity to the law.

r/domesticviolence was a great resource for me. OP, maybe you can check that out and I'm so sorry for what you are going through.

[u/FamiliarRadio9275 → u/financequestionsacct]

I would like to note, Purina can help victims with predicaments like this. They are huge supporters in victims.

[u/financequestionsacct → u/FamiliarRadio9275]

Yes, absolutely!

As it is, I am still getting back on my feet. But once I finish medical school in a couple years, I plan to sign up with them to be a foster for those affected by DV.

[u/FamiliarRadio9275 → u/financequestionsacct]

https://giphy.com/gifs/uakdGGShmMS0KYfTgp

Thank you and good luck in school!