Lion075

I might've mentioned this before... But I've wanted to have a pet cat for a year or two now. I conveniently brought it up before my last birthday but was shut down immediately. I brought it up again before Christmas last year, was kind ly shut down once more. I've presented grand ideas and covered everything, except one thing. Who cares for my pet cat when my family travels? We don't travel too much during the school year and I would have no troubles caring for my cat then. But once summer starts my family is rarely at home.

I can't stand the idea of messing with my cat's feelings if I'm gone constantly. But my family doesn't love animals as much as I do. The way they see it, any pets are left in other people's care while we travel and enjoy family company excluding pet company. We currently have two pet guinea pigs which I primarily take care of. My little sister and I take turns caring for them every other week. We hose down their cage together every weekend.

My responsibility for another pet is not what's worrying my parents whatsoever. I babysit my little sisters a lot and they trust me completely to care for any pets we get. What they really worry about is caring for the cat while we are on trips. Another worry is having it around the house. My parents don't want the cat to be wandering around our house. I told them the cat could stay in my room (Which is considerably big for a cat in my opinion). I also told them that whenever I get a cat I will probably want to get two. That way the cat would always have some company and not get lonely when I'm out for school and workouts or whatever busy stuff life is throwing at me.

I just need you guys help on ideas. I've asked a few friends and have gotten mostly negative replies in that they can't help. One said she could care for it but would have to just come to my house and feed it. My parents said no since she would have access to the belongings in our house. I know there is a Petsmart nearby with a pet hotel in it. I just don't really trust that kind of place to care for any of my pets. I know for a small amount of time (Short vacation) that my cat(s) would be okay. Sometimes my family goes out for 2 weeks though.

My parents also worry about college. Only one of my colleges of choice would allow for a pet cat on campus. I also want to be in the ROTC program and take pre-med courses. I'd be so bogged down with work and whatnot that I'm worried the cat(s) would get upset. My parents refuse to care for any cats while I'm at college. I couldn't possibly ask my little sisters to care for my cats. Oh and my dad absolutely despises cats. Not any specific reason, just hates them.

I know it's reasonable to just wait until I'm out of college and out of my military service to get a cat. I just love animals so much that it upsets me to not have a pet cat right now. I love my guinea pigs, don't get me wrong. It's just not the same as a pet cat / dog. My family has had pet dogs before, but they got upset since we were all too busy to say hi to them everyday. Basically, they were attention-deprived.

Ugh. I hate the idea of waiting 20+ years of my life to get a cat. Any useful advice? I volunteer at an animal shelter near my house as often as possible. It's the only time I get to see cats and care for them. I've learned how to care for cats there and what they need for their furry lives. Again, the only reason my parents don't want to get one is because of our busy lives and the constant traveling. Also because my dad hates cats with a passion. Although, if my cat did live with us, it'd be in my room all the time and wouldn't ever really see my dad anyways. I spend most of the time at home in my room, so the cat wouldn't get lonely. If my parents ever did agree with getting a cat, I probably wouldn't be able to get two. I'm not sure if my parents would approve of that, much less getting one right now.

I'm just ranting at this point... Sorry for the big post guys. This is just the biggest problem in my life right now. My love for animals is bigger than anything else in my life... Yes even bigger than video games and the military stuff.