My husband gave my cat to an animal shelter – he said our bond is ‘creepy’ so I’m filing for divorce

A woman has revealed she is divorcing her husband after he gave her cat to an animal shelter without her permission. 

Earlier this week, the anonymous wife, from the US, turned to Reddit to ask if she had overreacted.

In her post, the woman explained how she had adopted a kitten two years ago to cope with the loss of her father. 

Describing how she had a ‘hole’ in her life, she wrote: ‘I was finding it hard to keep myself busy around the house during the day so I decided to adopt my cat Benji.

‘I rescued him when he was so small he fit in the palm of my hand and have had him for two years.’

Admitting that her confession might sound ‘crazy’ to some members of the forum, the woman continued: ‘I really believe Benji is the reincarnation of my dad. 

‘When I look into his eyes, I feel something more than a cat. 

‘Like a cat born with a human soul. All the timing adds up, it all makes sense to me at least. 

‘Even if I am crazy the thought brings me comfort and I don’t see anything wrong with it.’ 

That said, the woman says her husband has started to feel like her attachment to Benji is ‘strange and unhealthy’. 

She wrote: ‘He says my bond with the cat freaks him out, and makes him uncomfortable that I truly believe he has my dads soul. 

‘It’s been two years since he died, Benji really saved me. He’s the best companion I could’ve asked for.’ 

While she was recently on a trip to celebrate her mother’s birthday, the woman’s husband used the opportunity to get rid of their cat. 

The woman explained how her husband had used her holiday with her family as an opportunity to get rid of her beloved cat

She explained: ‘I had no idea what was going on while I was out. When I came home and couldn’t find the cat my first thought was that he must have somehow made his way outside. 

‘This already worried me because we never let him out, God knows what could happen to him out there! 

‘After my frantic search inside and on my way outside to keep searching, [my husband] informs me that Benji is “staying with a friend.”‘ 

When she wrote the post, the woman had been led to believe her cat was with her husband’s co-worker and his wife – who they occasionally go out for dinner with.

When she called the co-worker, the man told her that Benji had been given to him ‘fair and square’ and refused to give him back.   

Devastated by the turn of events, she continued: ‘My husband had no right, the cat has always been only mine. 

‘I adopted him, I raised him, I care for him, I’m the only one who ever spends any money on him. I am at a loss right now. 

Since publishing the post two days ago, the majority of Reddit users reassured the woman that she had done the right thing by ending her marriage

‘Benji has never been through anything like this and I can only imagine the stress he must be feeling right now. I know I sure am.’ 

In a follow-up post, the woman explained how she threatened to get the police involved – which is how she discovered that her husband had actually given Benji to a local animal shelter.

Describing how she was ‘furious with rage’, she added: ‘I immediately tracked the shelter down to retrieve my boy, I had all my documents needed to prove he is mine, and he has a microchip. 

‘I took him straight to my sisters house, where I will also be staying for the time being.

‘My sister had been through divorce and has remarried, so she will help me get all my ducks in a row and prepare to file for divorce.

‘I am heartbroken, but also incredibly thankful that my poor boy is now home safe! He was clearly stressed and confused but he is settling in quite well at my sisters. 

‘My brother will be picking up any necessities from my house for me, I haven’t been home or seen my husband since I left for the shelter. 

‘My family has supported me in my decisions and they are all willing to do whatever it takes to help me when I may need them.’ 

Since publishing the post two days ago, the majority of Reddit users reassured the woman that she had done the right thing by ending her marriage.

One said: ‘The reincarnation bit is irrelevant, He did an inexcusable act. Some people suck.’

Another added: ‘So the husband was basically jealous of a cat […] What a d****d. I’m glad she’s divorcing him, he’s way more unhinged than he thinks she is.’ 

Meanwhile, a third said: ‘It’s always surprising to me that people will do s**t like this and never once think, “hmm this might end my relationship.”‘