'I feel really taken advantage of': Roommate moves out, ditching responsibilities and leaving best friend stuck caring for four fussy cats

Living with a friend can test any relationship, but throw in four cats and a flaky relocation plan, and it's a recipe for resentment. One roommate moved in under the assumption that they'd share responsibilities temporarily while the lease wound down. But when the original tenant began spending most of her time at her girlfriend's place and left her four cats behind, the situation spiraled into something entirely different.

The cats, particularly the long-haired ones, aren't low maintenance: they vomit frequently, suffer from separation anxiety, and require daily care. Yet the owner, unemployed and unwilling to board them, simply announced her plan to leave them with her roommate, offering minimal support and brushing off concerns. Despite having her own cat, the roommate is now expected to take care of four more animals in a small shared space, with the promise of nothing but howling in return.

This isn't just inconsiderate. It's exploitative. Pet ownership is a responsibility, not something to casually offload onto friends without consent. Feeling taken advantage of here isn't overreacting; it's recognizing a boundary that's been bulldozed. Friendship or not, this is a major breach of trust and respect.

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Best friend or not, it’s time to have a serious conversation. She can’t just dump her cats on you and vanish. Her pets, her responsibility. Friendship doesn’t mean free labor.
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Cats might not need daily walks, but they're far from “low maintenance.” Hairballs, anxiety, and constant cleanup? That’s a full-time job, not a casual favor.
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Not your circus, not your furballs! You signed up for one cat, not a feline daycare. Her whiskered responsibilities shouldn’t become your problem! Time to claw back your space!
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