CB, can you afford the vet care for any animal? This cat may refuse to use the litter box from the other cat - it isn't uncommon. But of course boxes are pretty cheap.
Right now there is a LOT going on. I doubt you will lose custody, but if you do, who takes care of the pet? Pet ownership won't get your difficult children to do chores. It will just be 1 more thing to fight about. MANY cats from shelters/rescues need some vet care when they come home. Actually it isn't uncommon for pets from any shelter. What are you going to do if the kitten needs a vet? You cannot afford a crate for a dog, how will you pay for a vet visit and medications?
Yes, reputable shelters usually have healthy animals, but even they make mistakes or the pet is exposed to something in your home and then needs a vet. It happens.
This sounds like a terribly impulsive decision made on emotional grounds because you are afraid you will lose custody of your children to your ex. It does NOT sound like soemthing yo have a plan for, or are in any way ready to do.
Have you spoken to your landlord about pet rent? about the pet deposit? Any other fees/costs? Did you know that VERY few apartments iwll permit a dog to be outside unattended even on a patio - not for ANY length of time? If you get a dog then you MUST have each of the kids go through obedience training with the dog. You need this also. It teaches YOU to handle the dog appropriately and is CRUCIAL.
Right now you are living in a one bedroom apartment with 2 teenagers. This might be okay when kids are younger, but yours are in/near puberty and it CAN raise questions. I know there are places where if you have children of the opposite sex they MUST each have their own bedrooms. In some cases this is only after puberty but in others it is enforced with kids of all ages.
I know how easy it is to fall in love with an animal, to love them completely. I know how comforting they are, esp when yo think you may lose everything that matters to you. You would be far better off in the long run to find an apartment for all 3 of you to live in comfortably, maybe even in the same complex, but certainly in the same school district and close tow here you are now. THAT would help with upcoming custody issues and a pet might make it hard to provide that home. Having the 3 of you all in the same 1 bedroom apt is one of a very few things your husband has on his side in a custody case, I think. Esp as at least difficult child 1 MUST be allowed to address the court per the laws on the sites I sent on your other thread. At ages 11 and 14, the ids MUST be provided privacy as they are going through all of the changes in their bodies. It would be far better to use the increased chld support for that than for a pet.
NOT to say that pets are not amazing and wonderful esp when adopted. Just saying that this seems like not a great time to adopt an animal - esp as yoru e could say "see? she got a pet before seh got the kids their own rooms." Take things 1 step at a time, in order of the top priorities.
Right now there is a LOT going on. I doubt you will lose custody, but if you do, who takes care of the pet? Pet ownership won't get your difficult children to do chores. It will just be 1 more thing to fight about. MANY cats from shelters/rescues need some vet care when they come home. Actually it isn't uncommon for pets from any shelter. What are you going to do if the kitten needs a vet? You cannot afford a crate for a dog, how will you pay for a vet visit and medications?
Yes, reputable shelters usually have healthy animals, but even they make mistakes or the pet is exposed to something in your home and then needs a vet. It happens.
This sounds like a terribly impulsive decision made on emotional grounds because you are afraid you will lose custody of your children to your ex. It does NOT sound like soemthing yo have a plan for, or are in any way ready to do.
Have you spoken to your landlord about pet rent? about the pet deposit? Any other fees/costs? Did you know that VERY few apartments iwll permit a dog to be outside unattended even on a patio - not for ANY length of time? If you get a dog then you MUST have each of the kids go through obedience training with the dog. You need this also. It teaches YOU to handle the dog appropriately and is CRUCIAL.
Right now you are living in a one bedroom apartment with 2 teenagers. This might be okay when kids are younger, but yours are in/near puberty and it CAN raise questions. I know there are places where if you have children of the opposite sex they MUST each have their own bedrooms. In some cases this is only after puberty but in others it is enforced with kids of all ages.
I know how easy it is to fall in love with an animal, to love them completely. I know how comforting they are, esp when yo think you may lose everything that matters to you. You would be far better off in the long run to find an apartment for all 3 of you to live in comfortably, maybe even in the same complex, but certainly in the same school district and close tow here you are now. THAT would help with upcoming custody issues and a pet might make it hard to provide that home. Having the 3 of you all in the same 1 bedroom apt is one of a very few things your husband has on his side in a custody case, I think. Esp as at least difficult child 1 MUST be allowed to address the court per the laws on the sites I sent on your other thread. At ages 11 and 14, the ids MUST be provided privacy as they are going through all of the changes in their bodies. It would be far better to use the increased chld support for that than for a pet.
NOT to say that pets are not amazing and wonderful esp when adopted. Just saying that this seems like not a great time to adopt an animal - esp as yoru e could say "see? she got a pet before seh got the kids their own rooms." Take things 1 step at a time, in order of the top priorities.