Parents, pets, and punishment.

I think that what your parents did was wrong, the cat didn't deserve that. Its not the cats fault that you didn't do as you were told, and the cat had nothing to do with it. Sometimes parents go a little too far, its just sad what they do.

Wow, my heart goes out to you. I can't comment about your father's rationale, but I understand your pain. We all have lost pets, some naturally and others too early, but I do know that there will be other's both animal and human in life that will find you important.

i agree with you that its wrong that your parents used your cat as a punishment over something as trivial as not being able to clean the house. try to talk to your parents and tell them how important your cat is to you and how attached you are to your pet. some parents think that when we're teenagers we no longer need pets and we should act like "grown-ups" when the pet is taken away from us. also try to ask them, and keep an open mind, why they asked you to give up your pet. was there any other reason aside from not being able to clean the house? or was there an agreement that you keep the cat as long as you clean after it? i used to have three kittens, but i have given away two because i cannot maintain them. i do hope you'll be able to get your cat back.

I am so sorry that has happened to you. No, I definitely do not think that parents should be able to do that. At least, they should not CHOOSE to do it, even if they legally do have the option! A pet is a living thing and should never be used as a punishment. Besides, changing your life forever is really a serious punishment for a small misdemeanor like forgetting to clean the house! Are you close to the friend who is keeping your cat? Hopefully you can spend time with your cat. Perhaps someone else... I don't know, your mom, another relative, your friend's mom, ANYONE... Even the school counselor... can try talking with your dad and letting him know that making a kid get rid of a beloved pet is not a reasonable punishment. They could help him try to think of an alternate punishment. Otherwise, I hope you are able to spend as much time with your kitty as you can...and maybe eventually you can get him back! I am just so sorry you are going through this. It makes me want to cry. When I was 16 I ran away from home and was gone for 3 months,a nd I got a puppy while I was on the run. I got caught and taken to the police stationa fter 3 months and my parents came and got me. A friend was watching my puppy. I begged my parents to let me go back and get my puppy, but they said no. They said there was no time to go back for the puppy, but I always felt like it was a horrible punishment... and now, 10 years later, I still feel sick about it. I hope your dad will change his mind.

Sorry your pop is so Heartless to do that. Your Pet becomes your family ask him would he give you up too. Life is way to short to hurt the people you love. Hope your cat may find its way back to you Parishioner

This is just an idea, but it would work on me if I were your dad. Clean the house and ask your dad if you can have the cat back if you keep it clean. Show him you'll meet him half way. I'm sure your dad loves you. He probably feels like crap about making you unhappy and would love a way to give you the cat back without appearing to back down.

Your parents sound abusive to me. Thats classic behavior. Please be aware that emotional abuse is just as real and seious as physical abuse, and try to get help or get out.

I think its not right and thats too harsh. Just because you didn't clean the house he shouldn't take it out on the cat he could have take something away like tv , computer and such but an animal that's not right or there's more to it that you don't know about like is he allergic to the cat? My heart goes out to you. Take care.

I am sorry about your cat. That seems to be a mistake that many people make, the wrong consequence - unless the cleaning that you forgot to do had to do with the cat directly. Direct consequences should apply exactly at the thing that created them, but sometimes it's hard to figure out what they should be. I know my husband is horrible with consequences. They never seem to directly apply to the action. Now if the problem in your home was directly related to the cat - something you didn't clean related to the cat.... it depends on how many warnings you had before and how strict your parents are. Personally I don't think I would be able to apply that consequence. It's easy for me to take away a bike that was left outside in the rain after many warnings because the bike is not a living thing. Although my preferred consequence is to let it rust in such a way that it can't be used again. I can make my kids pay the dues for a book that wasn't returned to the library on time, because that's the deal we have. Now a cat.... I would try to create another consequence if possible. The impact of this consequence will not be only felt by you, but by the cat as well.

I've never had this happen, but that really sucks. I know how bummed out I'd be if I couldn't have one of my cats anymore. I'm sure there was a better way to "punish" you, even if it was "hey, you're grounded." My parents grounded me for an entire summer once. Because I went to a public, supervised event (which they did tell me not to attend.) Parents are just...stupid sometimes. myabe he just really didn't like your cat and had been looking for a reason to get rid fo it. But it's lousy...hope you're not too sad. And, you said it's living with a friend, right? So you'll still get to see it, although, I know, it won't be the same

It was unfair to take any punishment out on the cat who would not understand the situation. Has your father never been very fond of the cat around the house? So was he just looking for an excuse? It is a difficult compromise raising children - giving them space and responsibility whilst still feeling that because you pay for the bills the entire house is still yours to do with as you wish. Be patient and try to understand his point of view. Did he say if the cat might be allowed back? Keep doing well with your studies. You will soon have a place of your own and possibly your own children to raise. Not too soon hopefully.

I am so sorry! That is horrible for both you and your cat. I have a six month old kitten that I got at Christmas and I would not be able to stand losing her, I see how hard this could be for you. Your cat was your friend and a member of your family and then she was ripped away from you, that is awful. I hope your father realizes he is wrong and lets you have your cat back, because that is just not right. *hugs* Good luck to you and I'm very sorry to hear it!

hay, really sorry to hear that, i have an (ex) uncle like that :( bought my cousins a puppy and after a day, gave it away just because... he followed suit with motorbikes and toys and such. so you do get parents who do dumb sh*t for no real reason -not one that has anything to do with you anyway. i hope he realises how selfish and unfair it was to take away something that meant so much to you. i hope you get her back :)

Well almost the same but, we had to give them away they kept on tarring into stuff.

that's just disgraceful. I don't know how he can live with himself.

What a disgusting excuse for a parent your father is, doing a thing like that! That is so horribly wrong! I can't beleive what a horrible dad you've got! He should go get your kitty back for you right now! If I were you, I'd yell and scream at him like a lunatic until he did.

Unfairness, hands down. T_T Heartbreaking. Blessed be your path dear.

I am so sorry to hear that your beloved friend was literally taken from you. I am a parent of teens and would never use that as a form of punishment. I am in hopes that he will say to go back and get your friend. Maybe I could understand his actions had you not been taking care of your cat. When our family gets a pet that pet becomes a part of the family. We have 3 dogs and there is no way that I could ever think about giving them away or not waking up and seeing them each day they are almost like children to me. So like I said in thinking of that surely he is just waiting for the time to tell you to go back and get the cat. Have you cleaned the house as he wanted maybe that will definitely help