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Family Threatens Pregnant Sister With Custody Of The Baby Because Of Her “Zoo-Like”, Filthy Home
You’d think getting ready for a baby would mean stocking up on diapers and building a nursery, not turning your house into a petting zoo with a side of biohazard. Yet here we are, with a pregnant woman sharing her house, bed and everything in between with 4 dogs, 6 cats and 3 ducks!
But when the fur, feathers, and filth hit critical levels and the house looks like the poster image for an episode of Hoarders, alarm bells start ringing for the family. They become less concerned about cute baby outfits and more about calling child welfare.
More info: Reddit
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Pregnant woman’s house is filled with animals, feces and bugs, concerned family tells her to clean it up before she gives birth or they will take the baby from her
Image credits: Arti Kh (not the actual photo)
The woman’s sister thinks the house is a health hazard, as she lives with 4 dogs, 6 cats, and 3 ducks, urges her to take care of it before the baby comes
Image credits: Yan Miranda (not the actual photo)
The parents visit the pregnant woman and are shocked by the state of her home, give her an ultimatum to either get the house cleaned or they will try to get custody of her baby
Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto (not the actual photo)
Image credits: u/37squarecircles
“The floor is sticky. There are bugs. It’s so gross.”: The woman is disgusted by her sister’s house, tells her to have it cleaned up or the family will call child services and take the baby
The original poster of this story is married and has her life pretty together. Her sister, on the other hand, is expecting her first child and lives in what can only be described as a zoo. Just imagine sharing a house with 13 animals. And not in the backyard, but right there on their beds and in their kitchen.
The smell alone is bad enough to make you rethink your breakfast. Add to that piles of laundry, scattered junk, and bugs crawling around like they pay rent, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. “The floor is sticky. There are bugs. It’s so gross,” the OP describes. Every time she visits her sister, she feels so disgusted it almost makes her sick. But this time, it was her parents’ turn to witness the disaster.
As the OP’s parents live an hour and a half away, visiting the sister is not a regular thing. But, as she’s now pregnant, they swung by for a visit. As soon as they walked in, the war was on. With the smell hitting them like a brick wall, they gave the OP’s sister an ultimatum: get this place cleaned up before the baby arrives, or they’re calling in the authorities to take custody of the child.
Unsurprisingly, the OP’s sister did not take this news well and called sis for backup. But instead of getting the support she hoped for, OP and her brother both sided with the parents. The entire family agreed that the house is unfit for a baby, and they’re all ready to do whatever it takes to protect their future niece or nephew, including taking the baby if nothing changes. Talk about a tough love intervention.
The OP feels terrible about the situation. After all, no one wants to be the one to drop a call to child welfare on their own family, but when the floors are sticky, bugs are thriving, and animal feces is a common sight, what else can you do? But the OP was left wondering if pushing her sister this hard would make her an absolute villain or a concerned sibling doing the right thing.
Image credits: Liza Summer (not the actual photo)
The Reddit jury’s been called in, and they’re not holding back. Some users are straight-up shocked that it got to this point and are questioning how anyone can let their home spiral into such chaos. Others are focusing on the real star of this show—the ducks. Seriously, how does one end up with ducks waddling through the living room? You’d think a mom-to-be would be a bit more concerned about keeping her house clean and safe for her baby.
A clean home isn’t just about impressing guests—it’s about keeping your sanity intact. Living in a chaotic mess can lead to more than just lost keys, it can mess with your mind. Psychologists say that cluttered spaces crank up your stress levels, mess with your focus, and make you feel anxious as you always have visual reminders of things left undone.
Plus, the benefits of cleanliness go beyond just peace of mind—clean spaces promote better focus, more restful sleep, and a healthier lifestyle overall. For a pregnant woman, like the OP’s sister, creating a tidy environment isn’t just about mental zen—it’s about setting up a healthier, happier space for her and the baby. We’re guessing no one ever looked back and thought stepping on furballs and dodging duck poop was a great way to live.
But when does allowing people to make their own decisions turn into “someone needs to step in before this gets out of hand”? Sure, no one wants to be that family member, but when it comes to health hazards and potential safety issues, the line has to be drawn somewhere.
Experts suggest you’ve got a green light to step in when someone’s lifestyle starts to pose a genuine risk—like turning their house into a petting zoo that’s one step away from a biohazard zone, which can be a sign of a mental health disorder. It might be awkward, but sometimes tough love beats sitting back and watching the mess grow, literally and figuratively.
So, what’s your take on this messy story? Should this family back off and trust the sister to figure things out on her own? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Netizens side with the woman, saying she’s not the jerk for telling her sister she has to clean up her disgusting home, suggesting she might be suffering from a mental health disorder
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What do you think ?
Yu Pan 4 months ago
Op, you are wrong. A pregnant woman who cares very little about her surroundings and doesn't seem to be bothered by the welfare of others (including the animals) IS NOT a good mother. Get this incorrect view of your sister out of your head.
Papa 4 months ago
I'm glad I'm not the only one with a knee jerk reaction to OP saying "I know my sister can be a good mom."
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Wondering Alice 4 months ago
For anyone in UK worrying about someone in this situation, Early help is a good place to start. They can make sure parents have the ability and resources to sort things out, don't panic that social services will come and remove a child when organisations exist that will help.
Eastendbird 4 months ago
Thank you for pointing this out. Early help do great work.
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Yu Pan 4 months ago
Op, you are wrong. A pregnant woman who cares very little about her surroundings and doesn't seem to be bothered by the welfare of others (including the animals) IS NOT a good mother. Get this incorrect view of your sister out of your head.
Papa 4 months ago
I'm glad I'm not the only one with a knee jerk reaction to OP saying "I know my sister can be a good mom."
Load More Replies... Wondering Alice 4 months ago
For anyone in UK worrying about someone in this situation, Early help is a good place to start. They can make sure parents have the ability and resources to sort things out, don't panic that social services will come and remove a child when organisations exist that will help.
Eastendbird 4 months ago
Thank you for pointing this out. Early help do great work.
Load More Replies... 
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