I just adopted a kitten from a neighbor. I live in a big, expensive house in an area where there are many people without running water indoors. This kitten was the only surviving member of the litter, and my neighbors--who are my friends--own her mother. They are clearly very attached to her, and have come every day since I was adopted to visit.

However, my empathy for them has really been challenged because my kitten was crawling with lice when I got her. She has also been throwing up roundworms at least twice a day since she arrived. She is perpetually terrified because people pick her up and cuddle her to their faces, although all she does when left to her own devices is hide and nap. I think the illness of the worms and her fear have made people think she enjoys this attention, but to me she is clearly terrified.

Although I am trying to join this community as best I can--I am here for nine months--I have found this very challenging. I love animals, and people are treating my kitten as if she was a stuffed animal. I have actually taken her away from several people, which I know they find bothersome. I also heard the former owner tell someone that she was sick not because of the 5-inch worms she keeps throwing up, but because I wasn't letting her go outside.

On the one hand, I very much disapprove of how this kitten has been treated. Other people can treat their animals as they want, but this is my kitten now and I am determined to treat her as I believe animals should be treated, and to protect her. On the other hand, I don't want to alienate anyone in my community.

Anyone have any advice?

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