Last night, I (24) joined my sisters, who I’ll call Carry (18) and Sarah (22) on a walk. They walk to Wawa every night and I join them occasionally. On the way, their very close friend Gem (24), who I also consider a friend, joined us. On the way back, a stray kitten in Gem’s neighborhood came up to us. They told me that Gem wants to take the cat in but her parents won’t let her. I suggested that we should bring her home with us. My sisters immediately said no, but this kitten was so small, can’t defend herself, and she blends right in with the road. We just had a dog and 2 cats pass away in the last six months (old age and cancer) so we definitely had space for another cat. And I wanted to at least bring her for the night and take her into the vet. Carry and Sarah adamantly refused because they wanted Gem to take her. I pointed out that she’d be safe with us until Gem is able to take her, then she can have her. Gem was staying out of the conversation, even when I asked her if she’d be alright with us taking her in.
So, we said goodnight to Gem. She handed me the cat to hold and we started walking home. 3 steps later, Carry is wrestling the cat out of my arms and swearing at me. The cat jumps away, but keeps walking up to me as we’re walking away. I keep trying to pick her up, but Carry keeps shoving me away, calling me a fucking asshole. I get frustrated so I walk the other way instead of walking home with them.
As I’m walking, I was upset by some of the things she said, so I ignored my phone as I get bombarded with texts and calls. They told my parents and brother that I was stealing Gem’s cat from her so they’re all telling me to give the cat back. I did not take the cat. When I passed by the neighborhood later the cat came up to me and i held her for a bit at the edge of the neighborhood until she got spooked by a speeding car and ran off. I didn’t try to go after her.
I get texts from my dad that Gem is calling him demanding the cat back (this turned out to be a complete lie) so i message Gem, "Carry, Sarah, and my dad are all telling me that you asked me to bring back the cat. I did not take her. She’s still in the neighborhood and I’m sorry me wanting to take her bothered you so much. I just wanted to make sure she had a safe place for tonight.
If you said I couldn’t take her, and i missed it over Carry yelling and hitting, I’m sorry. Again, i did not take the cat.
I just wanted to get her some food and a bath if she needed it, and take her in for a vet visit. I did not want to upset you over it and I had no intention of stealing her if you asked for her back"
The next day, she responded, "no it’s ok! i do want to bring her in but until i can i would rather her be safe inside somewhere over on the street"
So, I just walk around on my own for a while, my brother drives up and says that Carry and Sarah woke him up to find me and return the cat that I didn’t take, and he calls me an asshole for trying to steal Gem’s cat and tells me Carry and Sarah absolutely hate me right now. The next day, they are completely refusing to speak to me.
Was what I did disrespectful to Gem? I know she said it’s okay, but she’s very much a people pleaser and my sisters are convinced what I did is horrible. Am i the asshole?
NTA. You tried to get a stray kitten off a busy road for one night, C herself confirmed she actually wanted that, and A physically wrestled the cat out of your arms over a situation that wasn’t even hers to decide.
NTA your sisters are for being rude and they literally wouldn’t even listen to you or C and your dad and brother need to stay in their lane they had nothing to do with the issue at hand
NTA. You didn’t try to steal a cat, you tried to help a tiny stray that could’ve gotten flattened by a car. Your sisters escalated that whole situation for no reason and then told everyone a completely different story.
NTA, and your sisters should have stayed out of it.
Were your sisters on substances, because their behavior is weird. NTA.
They’re just being protective of their friend I think. Their interpretation of what happened is that gem handed me the cat and i said, “I’m taking this.” And they just refuse to listen to anything I say
They seem kinda psychotic. They actually got physical with you even though their friend GAVE the cat to you.
Your sisters are being witches. Gemma can’t keep the cat and you were going to keep it safe. Tell them to kiss your a**.
Your sisters are idiots. A small defenseless animal needs immediate care or, shocker, it could die. They didn’t listen, they didn’t want to, they made their own narrative in their heads.
Nta- your family are raging AHs though. Sorry you have to be around abuse like that.
For the record I would take the kitten in. I would never forgive myself if I found out it ended up under a car.
I keep thinking about that. Right now, my sisters have muddied the water too much that there’s no way my parents would let me bring it in now, but I told Gem I’d pay for a vet visit if she takes her in, since my sisters told me she’s saving up to take her, and they would kill me if I tried to take her. I hope she, or someone, can take the cat in soon 🙁
Can you show your parents the message to and from Gem to clear things up for them? I know it’s pointless you arguing but showing the written proof from you and the alleged victim could help.