this post was submitted on 03 Dec 2025
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Not wanting a cat doesn't mean won't care for a cat. I said no to another cat because I'm not prepared to care for it on top of everything else I've got going on.
This whole "didn't want a cat but is secretly a softy" thing needs to die.
And money. Animals are not cheap. Specially when they get problems. Not everyone is ready for all that it entails even if they love the animals.
Usually it’s more like “Doesn’t want to spend time and money on a pet” and/or “Doesn’t want to be sad when the pet inevitably passes on”
The first one I get it, but the second... Then don't anything, why live when there is eventually suffering? Thats just a sad and misserable way to think damn. And there is actually people reasoning like this, why 😭
Trauma, depression, ptsd, mental issues, not wanting yet another thing to push one over the edge, etc. The reasons to think and act like that are a lot. Not everyone lives life with rose tinted glasses.
I guess the reasoning is:
Pets usually die before their owners do.
In contrast, (human) children lives on and usually if things go well, parents never have to watch their kids die, and its kinda their "legacy". Pet's don't really have much of a "legacy", I mean other than working animals which can have a huge legacy of like maybe saving lives.
(I'm not saying I agree, just explaining their views)
Just because it does not accurately describe you does not mean it doesn't accurately describe many people
No but it’s also encouraging people to not care about others limitations.
For example I love cats but I am too disabled to care for one.
Agreed, taking on the responsibility of caring for a pet and giving them the best life you can is a situation that requires a firm yes from all parties. Especially with how expensive everything is these days, pets are not cheap.
I fully understand the boundaries and limitations side. There are a lot of people who label themselves "not a cat person" or "not a pet person" and don't interact with animals, based on this preconceived notion, and then are surprised when they enjoy it.
Not being able to take responsibility for another soul is reasonable.
When my cousin came to visit me for a week, she literally yelled "no!" and hit my cat when he jumped onto her lap.
A week later, she said "I think I want a cat." Now she has a cat.
Ladies and gentlemen every parent from the 80s.