Can I have your honest opinion? (kind of a long post)

Hi all! Some of you may have seen my thread before ("Baby kittens!") about our friends' stray cat who has had kittens. I am totally and completely smitten with one of them. Today my mom got an email that they want to give me that kitten for my birthday (they would also be paying for neutering/shots) and I am desperately trying to talk my parents into it.

However, before I drive my parents completely over the edge, I want to make sure that any choice I make is in the best interest of my cat, Olivia, and the potential kitten. If you don't mind I'm going to list some of the Pros/Cons that I've come up with, and any extra information that goes along.

Pros
-I'm not home during the day (school), and Olivia gets lonely. I think her having a friend would be good for her.

- I want to have 2 cats anyway. I would rather get one while she is somewhat young (just over a year), rather than when she is older and completely used to it just being the two of us.

- This kitten is a nephew of Olivia's, and I think as long as I were getting a second cat, it being a relative just makes it extra special

- Olivia is incredibly bored, especially during the night. She runs around and destroys things. I can't help but think that a second cat would help her with this.

- It would help her socialize. My only other pet is a yorkie, and he doesn't get along with her. He keeps to himself. She is litterally around no one but me (she doesn't really pay attention to my parents).

Cons
- In a year, I am leaving for college and won't be able to take them with me at least for my Freshman year. The cats would be home with my parents (who aren't in love with them, but would certainly give them attention and take good care of them). However, I think this is also a pro, because they would have each other for company.

- My mom really, really doesn't like cats. She likes Olivia because she "doesn't act like a cat." But, like I said before, she really doesn't see Olivia much at all anyway, because she is *always* either with me, or upstairs. When she is downstairs, she ignores my parents.

- I don't know how Olivia would take to a new pet. As I said, she hasn't been socialized since I got her. She's very attached to me. She gets PO'd when I play with the dog, but isn't necessarily "jealous."


That's pretty much it. With those things in mind, what is your HONEST (be brutal) opinion? Should I push for the second cat? or should I just leave it alone? I also pay for all expenses (vet care, food, litter) by myself. She is really "my cat" and I'm not the type to get bored and dump her on my parents.

If you read all of this - THANK YOU. I want a kitten very badly, especially this kitten. and I knew that it would be a fight with my parents. But my priority is ALWAYS Olivia and if you guys think that this would be a bad move for her (or the kitten) then I'm not going to push it!

Pro : two kitties are easier to care for but


BIG CON- your being separated from them for at least a year...

I would say wait till you are settled.... My RB Kandie got along far better with Zoey who was 16 yrs younger( YES 16 yrs younger) than she did with the kitten who was under 2 yrs younger...

Pet deposits are usually PER pet so you would have that to deal with and often apartments are weird and say you can have 2 pets but only one cat

Firstly, can I commend you for being so responsible in making your decisions...many ppl don't give a decision like this enuf thought at all!

The first thing that occurs to me is whether Olivia would get on with the new kitten. Would it b possible to introduce them and see how that works out? I think if I were in your shoes I'd let that be the basis for my decision.

I think if they got on 2gether, then they'd be company 4 each other and maybe less effort for your parents, if they'd amuse each other rather than be under ur parent's feet. This could be a pro when it comes to getting around the whole 'going away to college' thing.

As for the college situation: maybe it's my older years talking...but if you give this kitten a home, then a few years away (taking the worst case scenario where you can't bring kitties with u during ur whole u/grad life)...it's still only a few years compared to the rest of your life with the darlings.

I can appreciate ur parent's reservations about taking on a new kitten...but my God!, I think they're blessed by having a daughter as thoughtful and responsible as you come across. Just thinking about some arguments to convince ur parents:
1 - if the kitten gets on with Olivia, they'd be company 4 each other and less likely to demand attention from ur folks,
2 - if you're offering to pay for any & all expenses, then it's no drain on their resources,
3 - remind them how responsible u already are regarding Olivia's care, and that this isn't gonna change if u get a 2nd cat.

Well that's my tuppence worth, so I wish u the best of luck...and if all else fails, you could think fatalistically and say what ever happens is meant to happen whether the kitten joins ur family or not.

Salsero

You really ARE a very mature, responsible 16 year old. Your parents are very lucky. Olivia may not like the kitten at first (that's usually how it is.) but I'm sure she'll get used to him, and where he is so young, I bet they'll be friends. Adult cats always have an easier time with kittens than they do other adult cats.
The only think that I worry about is what if you take the kitten in and your Mom REALLY doesn't like having this one around and makes you rehome it? It would not only break your heart but it wouldn't be fair for the kitty. Whatever happens, I wish you luck hun.

The major thing and problem you will have are pet deposits. Trust me I have 2 cats and 1 dog now. When I moved in I paid $750 in deposits for the cats, and I made a deal with my landlord for the dog of $150. So I've dropped $900 on an apartment that I expect to move out of in a few months. That's $900 I'll never see again. Most apartments have a 2 pet limit as well so having 3 limits you by a lot.

Since you'll be in college it is quite hard to to drop deposits here and there. If you do scope out an apartment with these animals you'll need to not move around like most do in college. Bar anything else if the cats and animals come with you to school you will need to think about these things.

At any rate hopefully my next place I'll be renting a house because apartments are so small for this kind of stuff. Plus it'd be nice to have a yard.

As far as the two of them, cats work better in pairs. Having two gives them a companion and whatnot it is quite nice as a long time cat owner to have two. Before we got EG, Isabell would cry when I left and chase her reflection in the mirror. Still though there is more to think about then their happiness, can you afford the extra deposits, and vet bills?

It is wonderful that you have given this so much thought. I would also vote that you wait to add that second cat until after your freshman year. Especially since your Mom - who would be the caretaker doesn't really like cats.

Thank you guys so, so much for your responses!!

Kailie - To respond to your last point, my mom definitely wouldn't do that. She's a HUGE animal person, she just prefers to not have cats. She got sick and we lost our house a couple years ago, and we had to rehome my dog and our 2 cats, and it absolutely broke my heart. She would neverrrr nevernever do that to me, no matter how much she hated the cat hahaha. That's definitely a reasonable thought though from someone who didn't know all the info!

I definitely can afford the extra expenses. The only other thing I pay for aside from my cat is gas for my car (though that's so expensive... haha). With each paycheck I get I put part away for Misc. expenses (emergency vet bills, etc) and then another part away for the future (things like pet deposits, rent for an apartment, etc). I'm a planner LOL!

I kind of get the feeling that a majority of you think a kitten would be OK, or am I misreading? I'm still thinking about it. I could definitely get them to meet each other. As soon as I get my license (5 days ) I'll be driving up there on a regular basis to visit the kittens while they grow, so I'm sure Liv could tag along a few times.

One other thing I forgot to mention is that my dad *does* like cats (at least, he did before my mom trained him not to ), so I know that while I'm at school he'll be the one taking care of Olivia.

This is such a hard decision!! haha. I really appreciate all of your help!! I know I'm really new here...it's great that you guys are so willing to help out a newbie.

Have you discussed with your parents how comfortable they would be with a new kitten? They may feel that adding a new cat will mean less time they may have to devote to playing with Olivia. On the other hand, they may not be thrilled about taking care of two cats instead of one. If you haven't talked to them, I would suggest that you sit down with them, give them the pros and cons you listed in the OP, and the three of you come up with what you all think is best. Don't go into it thinking it will be a fight, instead keep an open mind, ask them to do the same, and just tell them what you told us.

I'm glad you are putting so much thought into this instead of acting on impulse. And like others have said, you want to be sure you'll be able to get an apartment that will allow two kittys after your freshman year. I never had a pet in college, so I don't have any experience, but I imagine if you find a place that will allow one cat, they'll allow two.

I agree that you are a very mature young lady who wants to do the right thing. That said, I too would vote for you to wait until you know you will be able to care for them on your own. I don't think it is right for you to take this responsibility and then shift it to your mother, unless she is willing to do it.