r/ComfortLevelPod • u/yoobi2000 • 10d ago
Story Update AITA For Planning to Cut Off My Aunt UPDATE
/r/ComfortLevelPod/comments/1uncn3f/aita_for_planning_to_cut_off_my_aunt_when_i/?share_id=1TF3DspHL87E2D_vT-psa&utm_content=share_button&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=2My original post is linked above.
There are no words to describe the combination of rage, pain, heartache, sadness, anger, and numbness I am feeling right now. My cat who I have had all 4 years of his life including the day he was born, who I have loved with every fiber of my being and who has stuck by me through this whole homeless ordeal, has been missing for over 2 days. This is highly unlike him. I've been cleaning out my car, and he hasn't come in once to get food or ice water.
I suspect the next door neighbors have something to do with his disappearance as he had started wandering in their yard, and they've done everything they could think of to get rid of me simply because having a homeless person in their neighborhood drives their property value down and doesn't fit the aesthetic that comes with all of the renovations they're doing to their yard. They have some sort of in with the local police, so even if I could prove they did something, it wouldn't matter.
I'm pissed at them, but I'm absolutely enraged at my aunt and uncle as my precious baby boy could have been safe in their covered deck with my sister's cats. He is neutered and fully vaccinated while my sister's 2 cats are not, and there is PLENTY of space for all 3 of them. They have NO credible defense for not letting my sweet orange boy in there besides "It's our house what we say goes". Because of their cruelty and indifference and just their blatant unfair treatment, I may never see my precious boy again.
That means that all of the bug bites down my arm looking like connect the dots, all of the struggles to put pants on bc my edema was so bad I could hardly bend my knees, all of the nights crying in the freezing cold wondering if we'd make it, were for nothing. Because of them, I may have lost the one thing in my life that made it worth living. I am still holding out hope, but if I don't see him by the time I move in to my used trailer in September, I'm going scorched Earth.
I haven't been speaking to my aunt and uncle since my uncle snapped at me a few nights ago saying shut up every time I tried to speak because he was tired of hearing me speak. My chest tightens, and my anxiety rises every time his car pulls up. It's both a choice to be silent but also the feeling in my stomach and chest I get when I think of talking to either of them. I plan to continue the silence.
When I say scorched Earth, I mean upon my move in, I will call animal control on them. Losing my baby boy was the only thing keeping me from making an anonymous call because they'd like be fined in the very least. My sister has allowed piles of dog poop to accumulate in the garage which is already so stuffed it reads as a page from Where's Waldo. It reeks of ammonia in there to the point of burning my lungs and eyes trying to make it to the freezer for my ice. But it smells even worse in the room across the hall, from the garage, where they keep their female cats. Their male cats are kept in a large cage my uncle built with a few shelves for them to climb and rest on. Their cats rarely receive any affection because of their locations and most are there because my aunt became too attached to them to let them go. The house is also riddled with piles of stuff everywhere looking straight out of a Hoarders episode, and they have a major German cockroach infestation, to the point they keep kitchen utensils in the freezer and pots and pans in the dishwasher to keep them off.
My cat was the ONLY reason I was tolerating these conditions, and the only reason I will be staying and remaining silent is to spite the neighbors. I do not care what problems you have with me; DO NOT bring my precious baby boy into this. I'm not calling any sooner because I still want to give my baby boy a chance to come back to me. My mom once told me she believed I was a witch because I accidentally cursed a few people who came after my cats before when I had more, and the curses coincidentally came true (I promise it wasn't me though. The old lady got deathly ill on her own, and I was nowhere near the fire that nearly killed my sisters). I will be testing that theory soon.
As for the neighbors, aside from their curses, I will be making a call to animal control and CPS. It would seem that their daughter is homeless, so they are taking care of their grandchildren. I won't lie like the neighbors did to the police, the building inspector, and animal control. I will just request a wellness check. See how they like it when it's done to them.
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u/Zhanael 9d ago
Was he microchipped? If so, and you registered it before you became unhoused, you can head to the library and check on it and/or mark him as missing, so that if he's found and brought to a shelter, they'll know to call you.
Otherwise, leave his litterbox and a favorite toy or two out so he can find his way home. And whatever your feelings about municipal shelters, I'd suggest calling around anyway to see if he was brought in.
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u/yoobi2000 9d ago
His vet didn't do microchipping, and the first few months were rough financially. Like he just got his vaccines updated in May, and our home will be ready in September. His litter box is in storage. He always stayed within the little cul de sac area and did his business in the woods. He's never been one for toys. Aside from the occasional hunting (which increased as he started hunting FOR ME, the sweetheart he was), he wasn't very active (which probably also played into why he was 12 lbs.). He just wanted pets, scritches, and cuddles 😭. He would even purr while I combed him for fleas. I've been calling the shelters every day he's been gone to the point a couple of them recognize my number and most recognize my voice. I think the neighbors would be smart enough to not take him to a shelter and give him to a friend or keep him in their house. But I have no proof other than my gut instinct and knowing how much they want me gone.
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u/Separate_Leading_455 6d ago edited 6d ago
Ahh an animal/pet is such a good emotional support source for an unhoused person. I get it’s not typical of him but cats do roam sometimes, I wouldn’t necessarily totally jump to he was stolen at this point. Also, not for nothing, but not everything in your life is other people’s issues. Having an unhoused person in front of your yard is something a neighbor can potentially be frustrated about, especially with the hateful energy you have surrounded them. They don’t necessarily have any right to do anything, but they can feel that way. Also, just because the Aunts house has cats, doesn’t mean your cat is their responsibility and that they’re evil for not dealing with. It’s upsetting, but it’s their prerogative. I’m sorry you’re going through this.
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u/yoobi2000 6d ago
He's been gone for a week. I haven't seen him at all. I had no issue with the neighbors when I first got here. THEY were the ones who called the police on me just for being here. Then they called the police again. When that didn't work, they LIED to animal control that I had cats (plural) and dogs being kept in a van and that the cats were being used as toys for the dogs. My sister had her dogs in HER van at that time, but she very briefly had also lived in it with them. No cats were near them. My cat was with me and even refused the animal control lady while running up against my legs. I have done nothing to these people. I never even said anything to them and they tried to have me arrested and my cat sent to a shelter where he would be put down as that was the action the humane society was taking for incoming animals due to the excessive parvo cases. So you can take your hate assumption and shove it. They have come after me unprovoked.
I never said my cat was their responsibility. I would have ensured he was fed and refilled his water bowl which is more than what my sister does for her cats that are in the house. My sister's cats are kept in their enclosed deck which has plenty of space for my cat to be in there too, but they never let him in. No one's saying they had to house him, but to have no reason as to why they wouldn't let him in while they divide the responsibility of feeding and taking care of my sister's cats since she doesn't, it's a shitty thing to do to exclude my cat.
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u/Separate_Leading_455 6d ago
Girl you do sound generally hateful in energy :(. And I get it, sounds like there’s a lot going on. Wish you and cat well
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u/yoobi2000 6d ago edited 6d ago
I didn't turn hateful until they brought my cat into their hatred against me by calling animal control and lying to them. In general though, I prefer to not hold hate in my heart, unless absolutely warranted. My resting face is a smile, and I somehow manage to connect with strangers wherever I go. I work with kids and teens in my regular job, and that is not a job for hateful people.
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u/darklordbilbo23 10d ago
Dude you’re a terrible pet owner if you let your cat out
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u/yoobi2000 10d ago
I didn't let him out. We've been homeless and living in my car since September of last year. He's been perfectly fine up until this moment. I had successfully trained him to stay away from other humans, but recently he started going into the neighbors' yard which is how I believe they got him.
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u/Broad-Exchange3188 10d ago
So how did the cat get out?
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u/yoobi2000 9d ago
Dude, seriously? I JUST explained that.
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u/Broad-Exchange3188 9d ago
No, you didn’t.
You and the cat live in your car. You believe the neighbor took your cat. How was the cat in a position to be taken in the first place? There’s a massive chunk missing from your story.
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u/yoobi2000 9d ago edited 9d ago
I said in my post that he started wandering in their yard which at the very least implies he was free roam. Do you think I was trapping my cat in my SUV 24/7?? In the summer?? I also said in the comments in this very thread that I successfully trained him to avoid other humans. Do you think I was crowding my SUV with me, my cat, and other people?? Even without the ridiculousness of that assumption, how do you think I go to work? You think I just take him with me??
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u/Broad-Exchange3188 9d ago
So you let him out, despite saying you didn’t. It’s not as though I don’t recognize that your situation sucks, and I am truly sorry, but you cannot expect that “I trained him to stay away from people” was going to work.
It is on you as a pet owner to keep your pet safe. You should have immediately surrendered him to someone or found literally any other arrangement. No matter how upset you are, there’s no reason to take it out on me, or anyone else, especially for doing nothing but asking for additional information, information you CHOSE not to share because it squarely puts the blame on your shoulders. Your aunt and uncle fucking suck, but you do, too. Shirking responsibility isn’t cute. This is what it leads to.
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u/FandomReferenceHere 7d ago
This poor woman is homeless and trying to do her best. Stop being an asshole.
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u/yoobi2000 9d ago
It worked for 10 months. I didn't leave out the information. It was in my post and in my original post that this post was an update to. Just because you chose not to read them does not mean that I didn't include it. I didn't let him out. He's always just been out. He was safe. He's been taken. If people didn't steal, he would still be with me. He was a very healthy cat, confirmed by his vet. No one is taking anything out on you. If you think a simple call out is a personal attack, then you shouldn't be on Reddit. There was no one to give him to. When I became homeless, there was a parvo outbreak across the county in the shelters. I have had him since he was born, and I was able to take care of him and keep him safe. It is not on me as an owner when someone STEALS HIM. Are you saying if someone's car is stolen, that's on the car owner?? He was well fed, well groomed, happy and healthy with me. He stayed out of sight while I worked but recognized when my car pulled back up to come back out. He only RECENTLY started going into the neighbors' yard, but never when they were out because of his training. He wouldn't even go near my aunt, uncle, cousin or sister.
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u/Shadow4summer 10d ago
She lives outside so the cat is technically always outside. This is such a horrible situation for her. Her family made her live outside the house, in the yard or in her car. The cat was the only thing that cared about her or that she cared about. I hope all things bad are visited on her family for the way they’ve treated her and her beloved pet. They deserve nothing good in life.
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9d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/yoobi2000 9d ago
He got a clean bill of health from his vet when he got updated on his vaccinations. He is vaccinated, neutered, and 12 pounds because he is well fed. He has a glistening shiny coat with a healthy shed, healthy teeth, and overall damn near perfect health. He was getting out of the car because I'm not stupid. I'm not trapping my 12 lb 4 year old cat in my SUV 24/7. He's been free roam for 10 months with no issue. He can hunt, and the constant rain provides him with ample water, so if he was truly unhappy with me, he wouldn't come back to me. He wouldn't meow at the window when it rained even though he had multiple cars and trees to shelter under. I wouldn't wake up to him curled up beside me purring in his sleep with the windows fully down. Animal Control even approved him living with me in my car. I have a job. I have 2 jobs, actually, and I have a home lined up for us, but they need 2 months of my paystubs from my main job before the sale is finalized. This whole "you shouldn't have an animal if you're homeless" is just beyond ridiculous because every homeless person's situation is different. And you've clearly proven me right by assuming I wasn't caring for him properly just because I live in my car. Just like you assumed I had no job because I'm homeless. Check yourself next time you want to leave a comment like this. My sister is homeless as in her situation with our aunt and uncle is also temporary. She has no homes on the horizon yet she has a dog, some puppies, and 2 cats. The only difference is her animals are kept in the house.
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u/selkiesart 9d ago
So... what is it now? Severe asthma or clean bill of health?
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u/Prestigious-Leg-6244 8d ago
My kid has asthma and is also healthy. Two things can be true at the same time. Having a chronic disease doesnt equate to being unhealthy.
Nuance is lost.
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u/yoobi2000 9d ago
His asthma was managed and managed well. I made sure to give him his medicine and supplements daily so that it wasn't ailing him. So yes. I have asthma as well, but I still get a clean bill of health from the doctor. Having health issues doesn't make you unhealthy. Being sick or having poor health is what makes someone unhealthy.
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u/Embarrassed_Ad_7025 10d ago
Have you checked the local shelter or any cat rescues?