Pet ownership is usually a great way to bring families together, but in this story, bringing in a new cat into the family had quite the opposite effect.

One young woman had spent both time and money preparing to take the lead on cat ownership, so she was shocked when someone else in the house claimed the pet before she could.

Read on for all the drama.

AITA for being jealous that my sister got the cat I wanted

I, 20 (F), have a little sister, 17 (F).

My family finally moved into a pet-friendly house one year ago, and me and my sister begged our parents to get a pet.

So we did—we got a dog. “Family dog” (mainly my mom’s—he only listens to her).

But then she started wanting another pet.

Anyway, six months later I asked my parents, “Hey, can I get a cat?”

My parents said, “OK, maybe.”

She took this “maybe” as a positive sign, so she got to work.

A few months go by and I’ve been buying cat stuff—cat tree, cat toys, researching half-raw diets, cat beds, litter boxes, and which litter is better over other brands, etc.

And my mom’s old friend just so happens to have to rehome her cat because she had to move into a retirement home, and unfortunately it doesn’t allow pets.

Then the day she had been waiting for finally came.

So we adopted the cat.

I got super excited thinking I am finally getting a cat—I’ve been wanting one for years.

She comes home and she is getting used to the environment and everything.

Meanwhile, I’ve given this cat all the stuff I bought for when I get a cat, thinking, OMG, she is my cat now.

But that isn’t actually what happened.

A few days later I come home after work and see that all the cat stuff isn’t in the living room corner anymore.

So I ask my mom where it all went and she goes, “Oh, it’s all in your sister’s room because the cat is now your sister’s cat.”

To her, this feels like the ultimate betrayal.

I got so mad I just ran to my room and wanted to take all the stuff I bought back so I can have it for when I get a cat. (I did not take any of the stuff back—it’s not fair to the cat, it did nothing wrong.)

I also have a full-time job with steady income (not enough to afford rent by myself), but enough to pay for a vet bill. My sister has no job and has to rely on other people to get the cat stuff.

So AITA for being jealous that my sister got the cat I wanted?

It’s hard to feel like part of the family when your work is just taken advantage of.

What did Reddit think?

This commenter is able to pinpoint exactly where this situation went south.

She deserves to be paid back for all the effort she’s already put in.

Can you really own a cat?

This user offers some tips to win the cat’s favor.

It’s not just a misunderstanding — it’s a betrayal.

If you thought that was an interesting story, check this one out about a man who created a points system for his inheritance, and a family friend ends up getting almost all of it.