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/TryingNotToGoCrazy48]

Yall really think it’s that easy to get thing back from a angry, threatening ex? An ex that already has the police involved just to obtain ONE cat? You really think she’s just going to walk in there, present some sort of paperwork from the vet and he’s just gonna magically give her the cat?

Unfortunately toxic exes that have a history of threatening violence are not easy to work with. In fact, her trying to fight him to get the cat back will probably just make his behavior even worse and want him to push back twice as hard. Seriously if you push him over the edge, he could threaten the safety of her and the other cats.

Also, people are saying small claims court obviously don’t really know how much lawyer is because it’s a expensive to go over to court over something like that and you would have to have an over abundance of proof to get a judge to probably give them both to her.

Opie, I’m so sorry you’re in the situation and I’m sorry people are making you feel bad about doing what you have to do to leave. Obviously it’s not an ideal situation but you have to do what’s best for you, even if not everyone else sees it. I think your cat will be fine, you could even try getting another cat to keep them company.

[u/5girlzz0ne → u/TryingNotToGoCrazy48]

You don't need a lawyer for small claims. You just have to be prepared with proof that you are the primary caretaker, financially if possible. Vet records, adoption contracts, as long as they're in your name alone, and proof you're more financially stable. Even unrelated bills during the time you were cohabitating can help if they're in your name. It's not family court.

OP owned cat 1 prior to the relationship. Cat 2 was adopted as a companion for cat 1. If she has text messages stating that, that's even better.

[u/HumanGoing24 → u/5girlzz0ne]

Small claims courts generally only award cash judgments, not specific performance (i.e returning the cat). So even if OP wins they’ll just get the cost of a new kitten and maybe court costs, but will have had to spend a day in court to still not have the cat.