# Did it again!! (Single ladies and pets) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 13, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538 "2011-03-13T14:45:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/21 "2011-03-13T23:31:21Z")
My sympathy is also zero - sorry. šŸ™‚ Having pets or not having pets is kind of like having kids - you donā€™t want someone with pets, so for the love of all thatā€™s holy, quit dating people with pets! ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/22 "2011-03-13T23:32:40Z")
And quit dating people with pets who tell me that the pets will all be gone soon, too, I know. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/23 "2011-03-13T23:33:19Z")
Iā€™m reminded of that line from ā€˜Coming to Americaā€™ - ā€œHoney, Iā€™m almost single. My husbandā€™s on death row!ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/24 "2011-03-13T23:36:26Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Some men just canā€™t resist all that extra pussy you know. Tell me about it - I mean, damn, thereā€™s like 9 of them! ā€¦ or at least 7. Thatā€™s still a lot of pussy, you know? All packed into one place like that - like a dream! nightmare Ok, I donā€™t know you, nor have I seen any of the other ā€˜unfortunate cat lady threadsā€™ but I do have to say that most of my relatives are crazy animal people, and the way you can tell them out is if they start rearranging their house to make sure the animals are safe/comfortable/kept out of x. If lady had really been importuned by all these damn cats, then there is slim to no chance that they would not already be gone. Magic 8-Ball says get the hell out of Dodge, because even if you get rid of this batch, sheā€™ll adopt the next scruffy bit she sees on the interstate, or that some well-meaning friend gives her so they donā€™t have to be a bad person themselves. Unless youā€™re subconsciously into torturing yourself with catladies, then Iā€™d reconsider this nice single lady. Sorry to be a bummer. Maybe you can go on a nice road-trip through the area instead? Central Fla - my husband grew up there. He says that Church Street Station is a nice fun tourist trap to wander through and window-shop. Lots of interesting thingummies. He also suggests maybe finding a tour of the Everglades if youā€™re there. Maybe taking some of the cats with you to feed the alligators. (JOKING!) ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/25 "2011-03-13T23:37:28Z")
Ugh. Iā€™m actually very pro-cat and I couldnā€™t stay in a house with 9. The solution is really up to you though - you donā€™t HAVE to stay there - you could go home. However, perhaps you could suggest that she sends the kitties to a cat boarding facility for the duration of your stay - some of them are very nice. Sheā€™ll get them back when you leave and youā€™ll get to enjoy her company for the next 10 days rather than being grumpy. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/26 "2011-03-13T23:38:02Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > And quit dating people with pets who tell me that the pets will all be gone soon, too, I know. Yup. They have pets or they donā€™t. ---
**Author:** ![xoferew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/e9a140/32.png) [@xoferew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xoferew)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/27 "2011-03-14T02:01:07Z")
I guess she doesnā€™t have a basement to temporarily stick them in along with litterboxes? Thatā€™s what my parents do when my allergic brother comes to visit. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/28 "2011-03-14T02:27:39Z")
Just to echo everyone šŸ™‚ I am an ā€œanimal person.ā€ I have always been upfront about it, and itā€™s a dealbreaker for me also, so I know where you are coming from. I have pets, I have several pets! I pick up strays, I do it all! So, I sympathize with your lady friend. BUT I understand where you are coming from. And I have to say, having nine cats? Sheā€™s an animal person. I would never have nine cats. That is a lot of fucking cats. I have had animals that I found that I liked and were wonderful, and the thought of them going to a shelter made me cry. But I did cry, because I sent them, because I had enough pets and couldnā€™t keep them and knew it. If she has nine cats, she will always have pets. Maybe not so many, but yeah, some. And if that is a dealbreaker, leave- now. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/29 "2011-03-14T03:15:29Z")
> [@xoferew](#): > > I guess she doesnā€™t have a basement to temporarily stick them in along with litterboxes? There are no basements in Florida. Besides, that wouldnā€™t get rid of all the hair and dander. I second someone elseā€™s suggestion to look for a campground, but TBH they are probably full too. Maybe somewhere an hour or two away? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/30 "2011-03-14T06:36:30Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > And quit dating people with pets who tell me that the pets will all be gone soon, too, I know. Two statements that should be taken with a grain of salt: - Itā€™s okay, Baby, I had a vasectomy - I swear, Baby, the cats are only staying for a little while She might not have meant to lie to you. The mother of one of my friends fosters a lot of cats. She means to find them good homes, and she mostly does. But only mostly. For every group of cats that moves in ā€œtemporarilyā€ one stays. Cats are [really insidious that way](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bETCusT5kNM). ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/31 "2011-03-14T07:20:39Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Just go home. Seriously. This house is set up like a crazy cat ladyā€™s house. NO ONE has that many animals in their home involuntarily. She spins a good story apparently, that you fell for. > > And also seriously, Iā€™m pretty sure I mentioned something in that other thread about simply leaving it at ā€œit was nice to meet youā€ the SECOND you discover the other person has animals, just like I would say the same the second a guy told me he didnā€™t like cats. Have a nice life, it was nice to meet you. Itā€™s really not hard to do. > > The fact that youā€™ve traveled so far to meet this person, knowing there were animals in the house, makes me wonder why youā€™re so desperate for pussy. > > badum ching Pretty much this. I mean seriously here you are suffering the heebie jeebies in Ms. Dolittleā€™s house, and you think some how, some way thereā€™s really some future point where sheā€™s not going to be covered up in animals in some form or fashion. Sorry for being harsh. but youā€™re being a fool. Anyone who has allowed her residence to become home to 9 cats is doing so very voluntarily. The cats are not going to be adopted and she refuses to subject them to a shelter where they will be euthanized. This is a decision that she is entirely within her rights to make. Iā€™ve dated multi-cat rescue women living in stink filled houses. They were great people, but the cats owned the house. They were her kids. This scenario is idiotic, and a no win for you. In the end you will be judged to be selfish and heartless if you push her on this topic. You know this already. You need to go home. ---
**Author:** ![horsetech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dec6dc/32.png) [@horsetech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horsetech)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/32 "2011-03-14T08:29:13Z")
Heck, Iā€™m an animal person and even if I were a dude there is no way I would live with someone who had a stinky house and didnā€™t even know how many cats they had. I mean, good god, itā€™s not like theyā€™re ants that all look alike and come by the hundred. What are the chances they are getting good care if she doesnā€™t even know how many she has? For all she knows, #9 could be sick and slowly dying in the basement. There is also no reason for the dog to stink unless there is some medical condition that needs to be treated (ear infections can stink and are painful!). IMO, regardless of your view of pets, people who take on living animals and donā€™t take proper care of them are, _de facto_, nutters/irresponsible/extremely clueless and intellectually lazy, none of which I desire in a mate. I have more respect for a non-pet-person who realizes they are not cut out for pet ownership and takes the responsibility to put the animal in an appropriate situation. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/33 "2011-03-14T13:32:53Z")
No, she seems to know each of them by name and personality, and spends a lot of her day taking care of them, feeding them, cleaning litterboxes, etc. Sheā€™s not neglecting them. But the smell isnā€™t getting any better, either. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/34 "2011-03-14T13:37:41Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > I understand where you are coming from. And I have to say, having nine cats? Sheā€™s an animal person. I would never have nine cats. That is a lot of fucking cats. I have had animals that I found that I liked and were wonderful, and the thought of them going to a shelter made me cry. But I did cry, because I sent them, because I had enough pets and couldnā€™t keep them and knew it. If she has nine cats, she will always have pets. Maybe not so many, but yeah, some. And if that is a dealbreaker, leave- now. Yeah, no kidding. ā€œI know you said no cats, but I have this one cat that Iā€™m trying to find a home forā€ seems OK. ā€œI have these 7-9 cats that Iā€™m trying to find a home forā€¦ā€ Sheā€™s a cat hoarder. Get out, get out, get out. Honestly, unless the sex is _amazing_, Iā€™d see about changing your return ticket to leave immediately. I canā€™t stand cat stench and Iā€™d be tempted to stake out a tent in the front yard rather than live in a house like that. (I am not anti-cat in general, but strong cat smell is just revolting to me.) And from now on, be serious about pets being a deal-breaker! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/35 "2011-03-14T13:43:10Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > half the **bast** hrooms wholly out of commission because theyā€™re dedicated to the cats Please tell me you did this [on purpose](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastet). ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/36 "2011-03-14T13:48:10Z")
Oh, and I think she KNOWS how many cats there are, but sheā€™s sheā€™s ashamed to tell me the exact number so when I ask, I get vague stuff, b like"More than you care to know," and ā€œA lot.ā€ But Iā€™ve seen seven in one room at one time, and I think there are a few more around the house. To **Ludovico** : purely an accident, I assure you. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/37 "2011-03-14T14:16:13Z")
Regular people with pets donā€™t have nine cats. I mean, I have one. I would happily have two if I had the space, but I donā€™t see going beyond that. If she has the house arranged around the cats there is no way she doesnā€™t want them around and is just trying to find them new homes. Dedicated bathrooms? You have yourself a genuine Crazy Cat Lady. She may well be awesome in other ways but if pets are your dealbreaker, get out now, because she will always have them. Nine cats would be a dealbreaker for me, and I love animals dearly. Yikes! ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/38 "2011-03-14T14:23:10Z")
Well, Iā€™ve been considering my options, and for now Iā€™m going to try to stick it outā€“Iā€™m a fiction writer, and this is great material. (Thatā€™s my rationale pretty much every miserable experience I have, and it sometimes works out. Iā€™ve gotten some pretty good stories about crazy stuff Iā€™ve tolerated, but nine cats is a new one.) Iā€™m NOT allergic, just unhappy at the stench, so Iā€™ll be okay physically. ---
**Author:** ![kapri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kapri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kapri)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/39 "2011-03-14T14:33:51Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > There are no basements in Florida. > Besides, that wouldnā€™t get rid of all the hair and dander. I second someone elseā€™s suggestion to look for a campground, but TBH they are probably full too. Maybe somewhere an hour or two away? Well, Iā€™m in Central Florida, so he could come stay with me . . . except I have a dog. That and PRRā€™s a complete stranger and all. (But my dogā€™s cool; he doesnā€™t smell or shed. Honestly. Iā€™ve only had him a few weeks and didnā€™t realize that when I got him, so itā€™s a bonus to add to his sweet and non-barking personality.) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538/40 "2011-03-14T14:44:02Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > My sympathy is also zero - sorry. šŸ™‚ Having pets or not having pets is kind of like having kids - you donā€™t want someone with pets, so for the love of all thatā€™s holy, quit dating people with pets! But this isnā€™t right. I could totally date a guy with one dog or cat. I am not really anti-pet, though I come off that way sometimes. I could not date a guy with more than one dog or a cat. So I guess my dealbreaker is ā€œone pet per person, unless they are tank or aquarium crittersā€. I am sorry, OP. That sounds positively nauseating. Cats are the worst - good cat owners are good cat owners but bad cat owners are terrible. You good cat owners should be pissed at these people who make you look bad, letting their cats walk all over the clean dishes, on the counters, nose through whatever food they want. Bleh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-it-again-single-ladies-and-pets/574538.md?page=3)