Our roommate just leaves her baby kitten alone for extended periods of time. How would you handle this?

If it matters enough to you, you won’t mind making an issue of it. If you’re not willing to take on the responsibility for her (it’s not yours, but it’s a choice you can make), call animal control. The worst thing that will happen is that you may end up having to move out, but in the end, you will have saved the kitten from suffering.

What do you think the right thing to do is?

I would deliver a smack down to your roomate.

Have you discussed this with her? I would say if you make her aware of the situation, and discuss possible solutions, it would be your best bet for not causing issues.

I would tell her flat out that while you like her as a person and enjoy the harmonious living environment, the kitten needs to be cared for properly or she has to find it a better home, and if she doesn’t do one of those two things, you will find it a new home.

I would get all of your roommates together to discuss the issue and try to come to a consensus. Then you can approach her as a group, letting her know that her treatment of the kitten is an issue. Present a list of guidelines (how long the kitten can go unattended, what the plan should be for longer periods, etc). Let her know that in the interest of the harmony of the household, if she feels she can’t meet those obligations, then the kitten should be re-homed.

I would ‘adopt’ it until I could have a good long conversation with her about the responsibilities of pet ownership. If she didn’t get it together after that, I’d take it to the pound…or just adopt it permanently.

@Megan64 Well I could tell you this much, I’m definitely having a word with her. I’ve mentioned it to my other roommates and they aren’t very thrilled about the situation either. She’s already said she’s getting him another home, but that was about a week and a half ago. If he’s left alone again next weekend, I think it’ll be time for me to take action.

@Disc2021: Please, whether you all feel like it’s not your responsibility or not, care for him when she doesn’t. He shouldn’t suffer just because of principle.

I’d take care of it then get together w/the other people and give her an ultimatum. I think she wanted it for amusement and was positive you all would take care of it for her Just make sure it has food and water sitting out all day .

Take care of the kitten’s basic needs (preferably with the help of your other friends). In the meantime, put together a list of local cat rescues and remind your roommate that the kitten still needs to be rehomed, and that she needs to take some action by this weekend (contacting one of the rescues, making an ad, etc.)

If she doesn’t take any steps towards rehoming him by this weekend, have a straightforward talk with her and tell her that the kitten isn’t being well cared for and that you’re going to take over the rehoming process.

@lucillelucillelucille Would you like our address? Just dont get any blood on the carpets =D.

@proofandmook I agree with you and all of us have been. The problem is, we all have responsibilities ourselves. I’m the only one home right now and I had planned on being in the library studying, I’ve been spending time with the cat all day, ha. I think it is time I open my mouth about the situation ASAP and prepare for whatever bad may come of it because this isn’t right for anyone, kitten included. Don’t worry, though, I think we’ve all agreed that none of us would let a kitten starve though she knows this and that’s probably why she’s been procrastinating.

@Aster That’s totally it and that’s the sad thing… animals are not here for our amusement, you can’t just lock them up for the day until you’re ready to take care of them. I dont mean to come down on her (or anyone) for being irresponsible, but truth of the matter is, if you dont have the time, care, knowledge or ability to take care of an animal then you probably shouldn’t have got it in the first place. I thought all of this stuff was covered in ‘parenting’ but I guess not.

The kitten is adorable too, not even a year old yet.

@Disc2021 -“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

;)

Do something now. If you are in L.A. I’ll take the kitten. The longer this occurs the less likely the cat will be socialized correctly and it will be a problem cat for most owners.

It breaks my heart to see or hear about animals being neglected, regardless of their age but of course more so with young ones. You’re right about how you feel, and you have to tell your room-mate. No other way.

I would adopt the kitten myself.
Every time the roommate would take notice of the kitten, I would reply to them as if they were seeing things. I’d be holding the kitten, playing with the kitten, etc…

Roommate: “Why are you holding my kitten?”
Me: “What kitten?

However, if this is not a practical solution for you, I would suggest calling the A.S.P.C.A and asking for advice.

@poofandmook Me and another roommate just help ourselves into her room, cleaned up after kitty, fed him and put out fresh water. I think I’ve decided that she has about 4 days to do something about this or we’re going to take the matter into our own hands.

@Austinlad It breaks mine too and it’s a shame I have to deal with this unpleasantness, but I can’t really take it anymore – it’s pretty sickening.

@tinyfaery You’re absolutely right, morally, we must act quickly, regardless of the politics concerning the living situation.

@MrsDufresne That’s what we have been doing because she only seems to be here when she wants to be. I dont mean to make her out to be this terrible, god-awful person but it’s us that have been feeding, watching, playing, etc. after this kitten for the past few weeks. I’ve already bluntly commented on the condition of her room and how badly it reeks – that place is like a dungeon. I was thinking I could be a little lazy/gross for leaving out an empty class of coke or an empty cup of yogurt for the day… this room takes disgusting to a whole new level. The liter box is right next to a power outlet and it’s filled to the brim with just about every bodily fluid projectile possible. You get the idea and I’d imagine it isn’t very pretty. I think we’re at the level where authority needs to be notified if she doesn’t comply with some common sense and responsibility asap.

I just wanted to thank everyone for the insight – all of your suggestions were very resourceful. I’ve never been in a situation like this and dealing with it has been tricky. Of course, I dont want things to become unfriendly here but if it means saving an innocent baby animal, I guess I shouldn’t have any problem stepping on anyone’s toes.

@Disc2021: @tinyfaery is so right about socializing kittens. My babies lived in my bedroom from 8 weeks old. They slept in my bed with me, slept on me, climbed on me, slept on my chest, shoulder, leg, foot, stomach, boobs… constant attention. And they are loooooovers to the max now. You couldn’t ask for more pleasant company than those two. What you’re looking at for this little guy, if this isn’t stopped ASAP, is one of those cats that runs and hides under furniture, even from his own humans. It’s a sad existence, being scared of your caretaker… no?

@Disc2021 Oh wow, I didn’t realize it was that bad. I would suggest looking for a new room mate, and then giving the current person 30 days notice to either clean her space, or find somewhere else to live. (If it was me, that is what I would have done.)
All the best to you.