How to persuade my dad to get a cat?

Question

My little sister's birthday is coming up and she's DESPERATE to get a cat. My other sister, mum and me also really want one. My dad isn't so keen though. We used to have 5 cats, when I was born we still had three and two years ago our last cat sadly died. Since we've got 3 gorgeous rabbits, who run about the garden. Our next door neighbour got a cat a couple of years ago, him and the rabbits are great friends with him but he gets upset when they don't play with him like cats would. He comes and visits us in our house a lot because his owners are away from home quite a lot.

If we did get a cat, mum says we'd probably do what she did before and raise a whole litter who've been found with their mum from the Celia Hammond Trust.

It's not that my dad doesn't like cats, he loves them and adored the cats we had. It's just that he worries they won't get on with the rabbits and might not get on okay with the next door neighbours cat. He also says that he "Enjoys seeing birds in the garden again". Is there anything I could say to him in order to persuade him, but without being too obvious?

Answer 1

I'm so against giving any pet to someone as a gift....I think this is definately a bad decision.....so pleez DO NOT PERSUADE your Dad into giving your sis any pets for her birthday.  (help think of something better for a birthday gift instead of taking a risk with a life!!!)

Answer 2

You could start agitating for a type of animal he doesn't like and then agree to settle for a cat if you can't have that one!

We have a lot of birds in our garden and using nest boxes, plus we have 3 of our own cats and 2 neighbours cats.

You could have your cat as a house cat, which is much safer and healthier, in fact, the RSPCA won't rehome in our street because of the danger of traffic and the number of cats killed on the road.

You could make everything as safe as possible for birds, by making sure that food is served from hanging receptacles which the cats can't reach.

Answer 3

Try finding a really cute video on youtube of cats that you think your dad would like then show hi mto persuade him.

Answer 4

Help him with the houswork, be extra nice, do your homework and then try to convince him on a day that he is in a very good mood.

Answer 5

I agree with Paulina!

Answer 6

teach the little blighter to fetch beer, make bacon sarnies and paint sheds and it'll be more welcome then a cucumber in a nunnery  

Answer 7

Well one of the things  that would probably benefit you is  probably tell him that's theres millions of cats in the animal shelter that need good homes and show him that you can be responsible enough to care for a cat!

    Hope this helps!

Answer 8

Take a kitten or a cat home yor dad will love it

Answer 9

I agree with brendabe.Get her another pet or get her a toy.She sounds really small because she's adamant on having a cat,so maybe she's just 6 or something.Your dad will be happy with this and everything will be alright.