Ex-Girlfriend Says Her Ex-Boyfriend Is Taking Everything Away From Her After He Claimed Custody Of Their Cat

Breakups are especially complicated when it comes to dividing assets and figuring out who gets custody of the shared pets

Chelsi

• Published in Interesting
• July 28, 2022

Breakups are difficult for anyone. Aside from the obvious emotional toll, splitting up means dividing assets — even for unmarried couples.

OP had an even more difficult task because their recent breakup involved the custody of a cherished cat. OP and his girlfriend of eight years recently broke up due to a fundamental difference.

When they got together in high school, both agreed to have no children in the future. OP has maintained that stance but his girlfriend, Shelby, wanted to have kids.

The breakup was difficult for the two of them but it affected his girlfriend more. After the separation, it was now time to divvy up the assets they accumulated over the years.

OP knew they had to make a decision about their things but every time he broached the subject, Shelby got upset. To make things easier on Shelby, OP made a list of what he thought was a fair division of assets and asked his ex-girlfriend to approve it.

Both of them agreed and OP got most of their possessions since he bought a majority of those things. After splitting the more significant assets like the computer, everything was smooth sailing.

Until Shelby told OP she won't be able to move into a place of her own just yet. This meant she will move back in with her parents.

The problem was they had a cat named Felix

They adopted Felix three years before they broke up when Shelby said she wanted a cat. They both agreed that Shelby would be responsible for the cat, given that OP is not a cat person.

Soon enough, most of the cat-related responsibilities like vet appointments fell on OP. He didn't mind because he actually ended up loving Felix.

Post-breakup, Shelby will be moving back in with her parents who are self-styled animal rescuers. They have more than a dozen cats and dogs in their home at any given time.

You can imagine the state of their home with that many pets. OP said he wanted to keep Felix instead of having him move in with Shelby in her parents' home.

Shelby protested and said OP was being spiteful. OP said he didn't want to take Felix away from Shelby; he just didn't want the cat to stay at her folks.

OP reassured Shelby that he will give Felix back to her as soon as she finds her own place. Shelby cried and said OP wanted to "take everything from her."

OP told Shelby it was her fault for feeling that way since he asked her to weigh in with the division of their assets but she shut down every time he brought it up. OP says they can discuss the things again if she wanted to but Felix will stay with him for the time being.

Shelby agreed to that but OP hasn't heard from her since that last visit. OP says he's trying not to hurt her feelings more and he's doing his best to reign in his frustration but he wonders if he handled things fairly.

OP's full post can be read below:

OP made the best decision during a difficult situation

If Shelby takes Felix with her, he will have a difficult time adjusting to a new environment especially when he's surrounded by a dozen other animals

They can revisit Felix's home situation once Shelby finds a more suitable home for the both of them

OP clarified that Shelby is not a neglectful owner. He just volunteered to take over Felix's care because Shelby has to work longer hours than OP.

Shelby probably has Felix's best interest at heart but her parents' home is not a suitable environment for him

Shelby has to prioritize Felix ahead of her feelings about the breakup and OP

Felix won't probably do so well at the parents' house if he's a timid, only cat

Custody of shared pets will always be an emotionally taxing decision when it comes to breakups

Shelby is a loving owner but she's just hung up on leaving him behind with OP

Honestly, OP keeping Felix for the time being while Shelby looks for a better place to live in is already the best compromise

The situation is not black and white

This is more than about where Felix the cat will stay post-breakup. Especially after Shelby said that OP was taking everything away from her.

Felix is a representation of the relationship they had and he also symbolizes the future they could have had together. Let's hope they can all move forward so Shelby and Felix can accompany each other in the future.

Chelsi