Dp prefers animals

[MsWildheart]

My DP is an animal lover but he's so OTT with it, he had a dog called Dave when we met, after we moved in together he bought me a puppy, I didnt really want one but I didnt want to seem ungrateful so learnt to love it however now I realise he really bought it for himself, we called it Phil and I told DP that we really shouldn't buy anymore pets after the puppy. Anyway a month or so later he came in all depressed saying that his mates cat had had kittens and if they didnt find homes for them they were going to take them to the rspca, I knew what he was getting at so just ignored him so a few nights later he walked in with 2 kittens . The kittens got named "Kane" and "undertaker" and I told him that I wanted no more animals in the house.
A few months later he walked in with a huge cage, I asked what was in it and he said it was a Rat!! I said no way, cant stand rodents, no room for the cage etc etc and we had a massive row over it and he ended up keeping it , the rats name is John. So now we have 2 dogs, 2 cats and a rat.

Now he's mentioning another cat that his mate wants rid of, I have told him that if he brings it home I will get rid of one of the others whilst he's at work and he had the cheek to say I wouldnt "dare" so how do I handle this? I'm not a great animal lover to start with, Dave and Phil are constantly fighting, kane is costing a fortune in vet bills due to a dodgy stomach, johns cage stinks, me and DH are constantly rowing over it and now I just know he's going to bring this other cat home.

I find it really disrespectful not to mention childish and irritating, I dont even know what he'd do if I did get rid of one of the cats .

Any advice would be appretiated.

[southeastastra]

sorry but the names are ace!

[MrsSpoon]

I'm not much help here but ROFL @ the names of the pets.

However I do think he is being very inconsiderate.

[mellowma]

Message withdrawn

[tissy]

Leave John's cage open by " mistake" and "forget" to feed the cats?

[hairymclary]

you need to have a serious talk with him,

does he know how much you dislike having all these animals?
you need to make it very clear to him that he cannot bring any more home. if I were you it'd be ultimatum time- me or the animals

[LucyJones]

I was a bit worried when I saw the thread title
I think you need to sit him and down and have a good talk - he really needs to start taking your feelings into account. Is the rest of your relationship okay? Do you have kids together?

[MsWildheart]

I wouldn't mind doing the animal rescue thing but he'd never let the animals go.

He named all the animals apart from the cats, he "allowed" DS to name them!

John is so tame he wouldn't run away, he'd just run around the living room before curling up on the sofa somewhere!

[MrsSpoon]

Good point tissy, my Mum got rid of my gerbil by putting him out for air in his cage and ooops she left the cage door open ... have never forgiven her.

[MsWildheart]

Got to go and pick the kids up, will check back here later. Thanks.

[mellowma]

Message withdrawn

[TheArmadillo]

I can see why you're angry. Your dp is taking no notice of your feelings on the subject. And yes it is very disrespectful.

Having you tried sitting him down and having a long talk about it?

[knittingtinsel]

I suggest that you'd like to have weekly skiing or horse-riding lesson which

a) costs in equipment and weekly lessons (just like HIS pets do)

b) takes time out of your schedule each week (just like looking after HIS pets does)

One new hobby to be added each week each time he has a new pet, and you're already owed 3 treats a week (counting 1 for dogs, 1 for cats and 1 for the rat).

See if he can understand or flex his schedule to allow you that before he adds to your entitlement.

[wurlywurly]

sorry i thought u was gonna sya he prefered animals to you, IYKWIM, will leave again now

[ledodgy]

Until he gets a tarantula called Bernard I wouldn't worry.

[snowleopard]

Sorry MrsW, both the thread title and the names have had me PMSL, but I know it's not funny for you (at least you've given some of us a laagh though!).

My suggestion is, perhaps when you have put your foot down and got some of this sorted out, DH could volunteer at a cat rescue place or something? It is clearly his instinct to take in strays and those places need volunteers who really care about hte animals. perhaps it's something he could do with DS and give you a bit of time to yourself at the weekend?