more issues with the cat-hating roommate

She used to pick fights with me about the cat going in her closet and cat hair.
The latest is that she insists on keeping the living room window open all the time to cool down the apt. The window pulls out like a door, and opens about 8 inches. Just wide enough for a cat. There's no screens or bars and we live on the 21st floor. So obviously I'm very concerned about my cat's safety.
We're going to look into installing a screen, but it may not be possible with the type of large window we have.

I'm right to be concerned, right?

And my roommate is being totally stubborn and won't compromise. She won't turn the A/C on instead, because it's too expensive. She won't only open the window for a few hours, with the cat in my room. She wants it open all the time - when she's out and at night. And my cat cannot stay in my room all night - she meows like crazy if the door is shut and none of us can sleep. And it's not always possible to put her in there while we're out because she'll run and hide to avoid being shut up in my room.

Grrrr. Any suggestions?

I'm seriously considering moving out and finding a roommate who has her own cat. So she'll be more considerate of issues like this.

Originally Posted by abnihon

I'm seriously considering moving out and finding a roommate who has her own cat. So she'll be more considerate of issues like this.

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I think this is your best bet.

Your room mate sounds psychotic at worst and selfish at best. If she doesn't care enough with the life of a living creature at stake, can you really trust her with any other issue?

Air conditioning is expensive! (It adds more than 100$ a month to my electric bill, for 600sqft) But that's no reason to insist on endangering the cat. Are there other windows to open?

It sounds like you are trying to be reasonable and she is trying not to be. You should move. Is the lease in both of your names, and for a specified period of time (12-months, 9-months, etc)?
If not, tell her now that you will be moving out, and give her at least one full month to find a new (catless, hopefully) roomie. It sounds like there's probably other stuff going on to fight about, and the best thing for all concerned would be to separate if possible.

In the meantime, until you get a better solution, can you get some bars and put them up? The first problem I'd address is making sure that if your roommate does keep the window open, the cat won't fall out.

I had to move because I lived with a woman who was terrified of cats. She was super nice, a great person, but Abby freaked her out. It was a constant source of tension with all of the roommates (four of us, the other two liked cats, but didn't like the tension my having a cat caused). I moved after about 5 months. It was truely the only decision that everyone could live with. I couldn't force Abby to stay behind a door all day long, and chasing after the poor thing as she raced towards freedom, and inevitibly towards my roommate's room wasn't working either. Save your relationship with the roommate and your sanity- move out asap.

I'm so sorry you are going though that.

You have every right to be worried about that window being open, that is a legitimate concern.

I agree with the others... it sounds as if you are willing to compromise and your roommate isn't. That must be really frustrating. Moving might be your only option - it doesn't sound like it's gonna get any better.

Maybe as a short term solution could you offer to pay for the difference in the AC... I know it's not fair but it might solve your problem temporarily. Did she know you had a cat when you moved in together, or was the cat aquired later on? If she knew that going in she has no real right to complain. And she should keep her closet door or her room door shot if she has a prob with fur.

May I ask if your roommate knew about you having a cat before you moved in? It sounds odd too me that she would be that disrespectful to your cat and still want to live with you.

I would definitely look into moving out and possibly breaking off your half of the lease. It's not fun and you may need to talk to your landlord or a contract lawyer on what to expect. However, it will be less hassle in the end.

Otherwise I hope your lease is up soon for the both of you!

I remember your story, and moving out will be the best thing for you and your cat, because if you ask me your roomate is leaving the window open on purpose, and the last thing you need to come home to is to find your cat is missing through this

I'll be honest, if my roomate didn't like my cat i would always be suspicious of her when i'm not there as well.

Yep she knew I had a cat before we moved in. She actually sounded excited about it and said she likes cats.
Apparently not!

And our apt is so small that my roommate doesn't even have a door, so that's not an option.

I'm meeting with potential new roommates (who are cat owners) over the next few days, so hopefully one of those will work out.

Thanks!

Their the ones you need to be with!

I hope it works out with the new room mates.

Are you going to move out or is she?

I don't understand why, on the 21st floor, your roomate couldn't understand that you obviously can't leave the window wide open with a cat running around. And obviously, it's not nice to leave the cat locked up in a room all day.

Hopefully you do find more understanding roomies...if they have kitties I'm sure they will totally see where you're coming from.

Good luck with the search!

I agree with Susan, sounds like she's doing leaving the window open on purpose. Like a cat will know that its 21 stories up and not jump! SHEESH!

Good luck with the new potential roomies!

Get out asap. Your roommate sounds like she's trying to hurt your cat.
I'd lock my cat behind my bedroom door(with a lock on it) when I wasn't home so she doesn't hurt him when I'm not there.
I'm sorry you have to go through this. Is there any place you can take the cat for now, so it'll be safer, until you get a new apt?
Your room mate needs an attitude adjustment....

She clearly expects to come home and find that the "problem" of you having a cat will have fixed itself, or is trying to manipulate you into getting rid of it for its safety. I hope your search for a roommate who doesn't suck is fruitful.

Absolutely move out - the sooner the better.

In the meantime, get a piece of lattice and secure it to the window. Someone suggested this in another thread awhile back.

I'd move if I were you, either that, or ask her to move and get a decent new room mate to share that apartment with. It sounds like she's trying to run the show anyway, and it sounds like she is totally unwilling to compromise. I know it's hard to find a decent apartment in NYC, but I'd be looking if I were you, and I'd get away from this woman ASAP.

Originally Posted by Rockcat

Absolutely move out - the sooner the better.

In the meantime, get a piece of lattice and secure it to the window. Someone suggested this in another thread awhile back.

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In all honesty, if she hates the cat enough to insist on a window being open 24/7, I wouldn't put it past her to remove the lattice while you weren't home. I'd keep the cat in my room for its safety, in this case.

Edited for spelling.

I think you need to find a cat loving roomate. Never know may become best friends