AITA for moving away from my parents after they gave away my cat without my consent?

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Imagine coming home from work, heart racing as you call for your furry best friend, only to find they’ve vanished—sold off by your own parents to a stranger on Facebook. For one devastated pet owner, their cat Milo wasn’t just a pet but family, and their parents’ betrayal in giving him away without consent shattered trust. Packing their bags and moving out to a friend’s place, they now face siblings’ accusations of abandoning family over “just a pet.”

This gut-wrenching tale of loyalty to a pet versus family ties tugs at the heartstrings. The parents’ callous act and refusal to help recover Milo ignite a firestorm of emotions, leaving readers to ponder the weight of betrayal and the bonds we share with our animals. Was moving out a justified stand, or an overreaction to a painful loss?

‘AITA for moving away from my parents after they gave away my cat without my consent?’

I loved my cat to death. His name was Milo, and he was more than just a pet to me, he was like another family member. My parents never liked my cat, and constantly said that one day they will send him away while I’m away at work. I told them if they ever did something like that I would pack my bags and move in with my friend from college.

So I come back one day to see that my cat is no where to be found. I instantly assume the worst and confront my parents. To my shock they told me they sold him away to some rando off Facebook, and they refuse to give me the buyers information.

Feeling betrayed by my own parents, I quickly get all my basic necessities, and leave the following day to my friends place. Now I’m getting constant text messages from my siblings calling me a terrible brother for leaving the house over a pet. Was I wrong to value my cat the same way I value my other family members?

Losing a pet to betrayal is a wound that cuts deep, especially when it’s family wielding the knife. This owner’s parents not only stole their cat, Milo, but also withheld the buyer’s information, ensuring the loss was permanent. Their actions weren’t just thoughtless—they were a deliberate violation of trust, treating a beloved companion as disposable.

Pets often hold a sacred place in our lives, offering unconditional love. Dr. Jesse Crosby, a psychologist specializing in pet grief, explains, “For many, pets are family members, and their loss can trigger grief as intense as losing a human loved one”. Here, the parents’ dismissal of Milo’s value to their child reflects a profound lack of empathy.

This ties to a broader issue: family boundaries and respect for personal property. A 2023 ASPCA survey found 85% of pet owners view their animals as family. The owner’s move-out was a boundary-setting act, protecting their emotional well-being.

For solutions, they could post “lost pet” notices on local platforms, as Reddit suggested, or consult legal options for property theft, though emotional recovery may require therapy.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Reddit unleashed a torrent of support for the pet owner, roasting the parents’ cruelty with righteous fury. Here’s the top comments that set the thread ablaze:

Outer_Void - NTA. If I were in your position, my parents would be dead to me. First, animals are considered property. So you owned the cat, and your parents took it without consent and sold it. It wasn't Theirs to sell. There's a word for that. Theft. Second, they waited specifically until you couldn't do anything about it, and sold the cat knowing how it would hurt you.

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And then refusing to give you the buyer's information so you can't even try and make some kind of alternate plans? There's a word for that as well. Evil.. Not only would I never speak to my parents again. I would consider them enemies. As a side note, you might want to try and look into things. There's a good possibility they didn't sell it at all. They may have just killed it or went drop it off somewhere.

PlentyHopeful263 - NTA.. your parents are awful.

RNGinx3 - NTA. My pets are my fur babies. Long story short, my mother did something similar to line her own pockets. I didn't speak to her for years. And if I'm honest, I haven't forgiven her for that either. Ugh. I am so mad on your behalf!

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Aggravating_Air - NTA at all. I saw a similar post not that long ago but it was the boyfriend/husband who got rid of the cat. I'm sorry that they did that to you. I would be devestated.. Pets family

NotHereToFuckSpyders - INFO: How old are you? Who cared for and paid for the cat? Did they have a reason other than not liking it (e.g. did they say 'If that cat pisses on my bed one more time I'm getting rid of it' ?).

ComputerCrafty4781 - INFO. Who was responsible for the cat? Litterbox? Food? Messes? I'm not aware of the Facebook marketplace value of a cat. Was this a valuable breed of cat? How much could they reasonably have received for the cat?. Why did your parents not like the cat?

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obsolete_filmmaker - NTA. My dad made my brother take my cat to the pound because I was late coming home. Once. Came home and the cat was gone. Broke my heart. It was 36 years ago and I still think of that poor cat. Havent talked to my father since 1997. No space for cruel people in my life.

ResponsibilitySea184 - NTA. I have also lost my baby (cat) while going through a divorce. My ex did something with her and he insists that he did not. Try putting up a 'lost pet' notice on Facebook and on your local Humane Society website. It might take a while, you might not get results, but it won't hurt to try.

Feisty_Gene154 - NTA. You are better off without heartless, cruel people, even if they share your DNA Also, call local animal control and some shelters. They might have even just thrown him outside.. That sounds like a lie about selling the cat, since there are so many in shelters.

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dblack613 - NTA. Also put them in a terrible nursing home someday and just walk away.

These Reddit takedowns are fierce, but do they capture the full complexity of family dynamics? Or is cutting ties the only way forward?

This pet owner’s world crumbled when their parents sold Milo, their furry family member, without a shred of remorse. Moving out was a bold stand against betrayal, but siblings’ guilt-trips keep the wound fresh. Was ditching home the right call, or should they have stayed to fight for family? Would you walk away from parents who crossed this line, or try to mend the mess? Share your hot takes below—what’s the move when trust is shattered?

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